Virgin Islands Bar Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 3 May 2014 Story by: Tanisha Bailey-Roka, Esq. There is a reason why a Twentieth Anniversary is celebrated with platinum. The sheer beauty, rarity, and value placed on the occasion makes it more than comparable. The same was true for the Twentieth Anniversary of the Virgin Islands Annual Moot Court Competition. The culmination of two decades worth of ex- perience and learning is always worth cele- brating. It is the annual gathering of students from across the Territory, members of the judi- ciary, members of the Legislative branch, and parents and friends to enjoy the incredible (Continued on page 2) Charlotte Amalie Victors in Twentieth Annual VIBA Moot Court Competition gal study throughout the peri- od of your active practice of law. Id. Failure to do so results in your suspension from mem- bership in the Virgin Islands’ Bar. Id. (Continued on page 2) Continuing your professional education serves to improve the administration of justice and benefit the public interest. See, V.I.S.CT.R. 208. Continu- ing legal education (“CLE”) provides you with periodic opportunities for professional self-evaluation and opportuni- ties to enhance your profes- sional skills. Id. (emphasis added). By regularly partici- pating in CLE programs, you also improve the quality of legal services rendered to the public. Id. If you are an active member of the United States Virgin Islands, you are required to participate in the requisite number of hours, as set forth in V.I.S.CT.R. 208, of further le- President’s Message Virgin Islands Bar Association Edited by Sunshine S. Benoit, Esq. Special points of interest: VIBA will hold its Mid- year CLE on Friday, May 30, 2014, at Divi Carina Bay Resort in St. Croix. The program offers 6.0 credits, in- cluding 2.0 ethics cred- its and features presen- tations on client trust accounts, mediation, effective deposition and more. The District Court of the Virgin Islands will host its Mid-Year CLE on Friday, July 11, 2014, at Frenchman’s Reef Hotel in St. Thomas. There will be 7 credits, including 1 ethics credit with presentations on trial advocacy issues. Some Bankruptcy Fees in the District Court will increase on June 1, 2014 and can be viewed at the Court’s website at http://www. vid.uscourts.gov. The Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands is looking for a Computer Support Technician in St. Thomas. Information is available via their website. The Winning Team from Charlotte Amalie High School from left to right: Ernest Morris, Esq., VIBA Moot Court Committee Chairman; S. Aliya Charlery, Esq., Attorney Coach; Benjamain Bougouneau, Student; Sheila Joseph, Student; Kmanza Tongue, Student; Lambakisye Richardson, Faculty Advisor; (Not Pictured: Douglas Sprotte, Esq., Attorney Coach). Photo Courtesy of Rafael Llanos,Jr.
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Virgin Islands Bar Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 3 May 2014
Story by: Tanisha Bailey-Roka, Esq.
There is a reason why a Twentieth Anniversary
is celebrated with platinum. The sheer beauty,
rarity, and value placed on the occasion
makes it more than comparable. The same
was true for the Twentieth Anniversary of the
Virgin Islands Annual Moot Court Competition.
The culmination of two decades worth of ex-
perience and learning is always worth cele-
brating. It is the annual gathering of students
from across the Territory, members of the judi-
ciary, members of the Legislative branch, and
parents and friends to enjoy the incredible
(Continued on page 2)
Charlotte Amalie Victors in Twentieth
Annual VIBA Moot Court Competition
gal study throughout the peri-
od of your active practice of
law. Id. Failure to do so results
in your suspension from mem-
bership in the Virgin Islands’
Bar. Id.
(Continued on page 2)
Continuing your professional
education serves to improve
the administration of justice
and benefit the public interest.
See, V.I.S.CT.R. 208. Continu-
ing legal education (“CLE”)
provides you with periodic
opportunities for professional
self-evaluation and opportuni-
ties to enhance your profes-
sional skills. Id. (emphasis
added). By regularly partici-
pating in CLE programs, you
also improve the quality of
legal services rendered to the
public. Id.
If you are an active member
of the United States Virgin
Islands, you are required to
participate in the requisite
number of hours, as set forth in
V.I.S.CT.R. 208, of further le-
President’s Message
Virgin Islands Bar Association Edited by Sunshine S. Benoit, Esq.
Special points of interest:
VIBA will hold its Mid-
year CLE on Friday,
May 30, 2014, at Divi
Carina Bay Resort in St.
Croix. The program
offers 6.0 credits, in-
cluding 2.0 ethics cred-
its and features presen-
tations on client trust
accounts, mediation,
effective deposition
and more.
The District Court of the
Virgin Islands will host
its Mid-Year CLE on
Friday, July 11, 2014,
at Frenchman’s Reef
Hotel in St. Thomas.
There will be 7 credits,
including 1 ethics credit
with presentations on
trial advocacy issues.
Some Bankruptcy Fees
in the District Court will
increase on June 1,
2014 and can be
viewed at the Court’s
website at http://www.
vid.uscourts.gov.
The Supreme Court of
the Virgin Islands is
looking for a Computer
Support Technician in
St. Thomas. Information
is available via their
website.
The Winning Team from Charlotte Amalie High School from left to right: Ernest Morris, Esq., VIBA Moot Court Committee Chairman; S. Aliya Charlery, Esq., Attorney Coach; Benjamain Bougouneau, Student; Sheila Joseph, Student; Kmanza Tongue, Student; Lambakisye Richardson, Faculty Advisor; (Not Pictured: Douglas
Sprotte, Esq., Attorney Coach).
Photo Courtesy of Rafael Llanos,Jr.
Virgin Islands Bar Newsletter Vol. 1, Issue 2 Page 2
Timely Legislation Coincides with Moot Court
rounds were judged by
Chief Justice Rhys Hodge of
the Virgin Islands Supreme
Court, Chief Judge Wilma
Lewis of the District Court of
the Virgin Islands, and
Judge Adam Christian of the
Superior Court of the Virgin
Islands for the District of St.
Thomas and St. John. The
topic was a timely one that
focused on the dangerous
and often confounding
problem of School Bullying.
In a twist of irony, the stu-
dents learned from Senator
Kenneth Gittens who attend-
ed the program, and of-
fered some closing remarks,
that the Senate had passed
an anti-bullying legislation
for the first time in the Terri-
tory just that day.
The three days of competi-
tion crackled with excite-
ment and anticipation as the
grand stage of debate.
Highlights from the event
included comments from
former Judge Soraya Diase
-Coffelt who founded the
competition in 1994. Her
stirring words served as a
reminder of the importance
of creating spaces where
students can show off their
intellect and analytical skills.
She encouraged the continu-
ation of the competition as
a way of promoting the
(Continued from page 1) legal profession to young
minds. Judge Coffelt also
accepted an award on be-
half of Judge Audrey Thom-
as who was unable to at-
tend in person. Judge Thom-
as’s work with the Moot
Court Competition has di-
rectly contributed to the
longevity and quality of the
program. Her commitment
to the students of the Terri-
tory who compete annually
in this event is unwavering,
and the Competition has
thrived under her sponsor-
ship and support. The V.I.
Bar is proud to have Judge
Thomas as this year’s hon-
oree.
For the third year in a row,
the preliminary rounds were
judged by Moot Court Jus-
tices Emile Henderson, III;
Nagesh Tammara; and Tan-
isha Bailey-Roka. The final
“The topic was a timely
one that focused on the
dangerous and often
confounding problem of
School Bullying.“
You will further your professional education, earn up to 6 CLE
credits (including 2 ethics credits), and support your Virgin Islands
Bar Association (“VIBA”) if you attend our upcoming Mid-Year CLE.
Members enjoy our CLEs for many reasons. Members are much
more likely to learn about trends and updates in local law as well
as the practice of law in the U.S. Virgin Islands than they would
from most other CLE providers. Members appreciate the oppor-
tunity to converse and network with legal practitioners and CLE
presenters. By interacting with colleagues and even opposing
counsels at our CLEs, members foster collegiality, civility and pro-
fessionalism within our legal community and, in so doing, advance
Goal # 1 of the VIBA’s Strategic Plan.
The Mid-Year CLE will take place on Friday, May 30, 2014, at the
Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix.
I encourage you to attend the Mid-
Year CLE for the following reasons.
It is essential for you to approach
mediation with the same level of
preparation as you would a trial.
Taking the time to evaluate the
case and prepare you client thor-
oughly will result in better resolutions and more efficient, produc-
tive mediations. By attending the Mediation Matters CLE, you will
learn various aspects of mediation such as deciding whether and
when to mediate, getting the most out of your mediation, how to
effectively use your mediator as well as maximizing your client’s
chances for settlement.
(Continued from page 1)
(Continued on page 4)
President’s Message Focuses on CLEs
students vied for the finals
rounds surrounded by their
mentors, coaches, parents, and
friends. The list of winners are
as follows:
Coming in First Place were the
Appellees from Charlotte
Amalie High School: Sheila
Joseph, Kamanza Tonge, and
Benjamin Bougouneau. Their
Teacher Advisor – Iambakisye
Richardson, and Attorney
Coaches – S. Aliya Charlery,
Esq. and Douglas Sprotte, Esq.
(Continued on page 3)
President Nycole Thompson
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1
rounds were judged by
Chief Justice Rhys Hodge of
the Virgin Islands Supreme
Court, Chief Judge Wilma
Lewis of the District Court of
the Virgin Islands, and
Judge Adam Christian of the
Superior Court of the Virgin
Islands for the District of St.
Thomas and St. John. The
topic was a timely one that
focused on the dangerous
and often confounding
problem of School Bullying.
In a twist of irony, the stu-
dents learned from Senator
Kenneth Gittens who attend-
ed the program, and of-
fered some closing remarks,
that the Senate had passed
an anti-bullying legislation
for the first time in the Terri-
tory just that day.
The three days of competi-
tion crackled with excite-
ment and anticipation as the
Platinum Celebration for Moot Court
In Second Place were the Appellants St. Croix
Educational Complex High School: Kayra
Clouden and Chasen Richards. Their Teacher
Advisor – Randy Holzapple and Attorney
Coach – Alphonso Andrews, Esq.
In Third Place were the Appellees from Char-
lotte Amalie High School: Hadiya Hazel, So-
raya Benjamin, and Tejea Swanston. Their
Teacher Advisor – Iambakisye Richardson and
Attorney Coaches – S. Aliya Charlery, Esq.
and Douglas Sprotte, Esq.
And finally in Fourth Place were the Appellees
from St. Croix Central High School: Shanice
James, Carl-Michael James, and Bria James.
Their Teacher Advisor – Ericka Hansen and
Attorney Coaches – Kelvin Vidale, Esq. and
Nizar DeWood, Esq.
The Moot Court Competition is an important
part of the Territory’s legal landscape. It is the