Sierra Leone Bar Association Celebrates Partnership, Law Books
This story was written by Steve Pfeiffer, former Exceutive Committee Chair of the international law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright. Steve and his firm are long-time, active supporters of Books For Africa's Jack Mason Law & Democracy Initiative. Steve is a member of our Advisory Board, and provided financial support for this shipment of a Thomson Reuters reference law library.
“On February 20, 2019, I was invited by members of the Bar Association of Sierra Leone for a formal ceremony to show gratitude to Thomson Reuters and Books For Africa, and to acknowledge receipt of the shipment of books that were sent to Freetown by Books For Africa for their law library. The full collection of new latest edition law books was provided by Thomson Reuters.
At the welcoming ceremony, I represented the Advisory Board of Books For Africa. A number of prominent Sierra Leonean lawyers attended, including the current and former presidents of the Sierra Leone Bar Association. We had an informal and lively discussion on the importance in a democratic society of the rule of law, and of maintaining an independent and strong legal profession. They have proudly displayed the books and have made the library accessible to both lawyers and law students. "
In attendance were executives and members of the Sierra Leone Bar Association including:
- Mrs. Basita Machael, President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Partner at Michael Vassili Barristers and Solicitors, and law lecturer at the University of Sierra Leone
- Mrs. Rhoda Sufian-Kargbo Nuni, Former President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association and Vice President, West Africa Region of the African Bar Association
- Mr. Ishmael Philip Mammie, Assistant General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Bar Association
- Mr. Barrister Derek Beoku-Bette, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association and partner of the law firm Garber & Co
- Mr. Osman Jalloh, member of the Sierra Leone Bar Association and partner at Yada Williams and Associates
- Mrs. Mariam Sow, Director, Alumni Outreach Initiative, The Africa – America Institute