Luke Browne was recently called to the bar, adding to his long list of accomplishments.
ANN News caught up with Browne for an interview in which he shared the challenges he faced while pursuing his law degree, his motivation for doing so and more.
But first, a bit of background on Mr. Browne.
Luke Browne is 37 years old, and hails from Cane Garden in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where he has lived all his life.
Browne says that he and his siblings, Réchanne, Theodore Jr., Twanna, Valina, and Tamira grew up in a household of faith and were encouraged by their parents, Theodore and Laura Browne, through instruction and example to strive for excellence.
Browne attended the VINSAVE Pre-School, the Kingstown Preparatory School, the St. Vincent Grammar School and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. He then went to study at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill in Barbados, where he obtained a BSc. in Mathematics and Economics, the University of Oxford, where he received an MSc. in Applied Statistics and the BPP University Law School, where he attained a Graduate Diploma in Law and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
In our interview with Mr. Browne, we asked why he decided to get into the field of law, and he provided us with several reasons, from expanding his scope, to being able to contribute to continuity at his father’s law practice.
‘I wanted to give myself a strong professional platform and to contribute to continuity at my father’s private law practice which he started in 1984. We often hear that law is a noble profession.
I wanted to expand my scope and capacity for representing people. I could now directly address legal matters that are raised with me in the community.
I also believed that legal education was very relevant to my career interests. I think it is fair to say that the whole framework of our society and government rests on a foundation of law. We often hear phrases like “we are a nation of laws” and the “rule of law.” These terms are significant and insightful on the condition and constitution of nations. The Parliamentarian or legislator is by definition a law-maker. I therefore sought to expand the depth and breadth of my legal knowledge, to strengthen my advocacy and forensic skills and to enhance my competence in public affairs through formal law studies.’ Browne said.
Mr. Browne says that ‘legal practice would be a component of my professional expression, and it is a component that has always been under consideration by me given my inclinations and the influences upon my life inside and outside the home.’
He says that he does not see law as ‘a definitive career choice in the sense that I am not only a lawyer’
A major challenge that Browne would have faced during the pursuit of his legal studies was that of time management, finding the balance between working a full time job and studying full time.
‘I would say that the main challenge that I have faced in relation to my law studies has to do with time management, especially considering all my commitments. I was at one point working full-time and studying full-time. I started my law studies just before the 2015 elections and I was in the middle of those studies when I was appointed Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment. I spend a lot of time refining my craft of time management in order to be as efficient as possible. The bottom line though is that there is no substitute for hard work and long hours. I get up early in the morning and work long days. The extra effort, the relentless rigour and the persistence pays off.’ he said.
Though time management was a major challenge that he had to contend with, it was not the only challenge he faced. Browne disclosed that he had the task of taking care of his constituency, maintaining his political office, and financing his studies, while not receiving a salary.
‘The other challenge I faced in relation to my studies was dislocation and adjusting myself to student life abroad without a salary and the need to service my responsibilities at home (including the maintenance of my political office and taking care of the constituency) while financing my studies. I made sacrifices because of my love and commitment to the people of East Kingstown (and by extension St. Vincent and the Grenadines) who I consider to be like my family.’ Browne said.
Browne, newly called to the bar, gave us some insight as to what type of law he pursued.
‘I did the Graduate Diploma in Law during the course of which I studied Contract Law, The Law of Torts, Criminal Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Land Law and Equity and Trusts.
Additionally, I did the following modules on the Bar Training Course: Civil Litigation and Evidence; Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing; Submission Advocacy; Legal Research; Opinion Writing; Drafting; Oral Skills and Professional Ethics.’ he said.
In our interview with Luke Browne, we asked if he would consider himself successful so far, and how he defines success. He had this to say:
‘I suppose we should measure success in terms of the achievement of goals. I have been able to achieve some of my personal and professional goals to date and perhaps that means that I have been somewhat successful. Moreover, my goals have to a significant extent been aligned with the values of society. Ultimately, my goal and mission in life can be summed up in 2 words really: “helping people.” The more people I help, and the more lives I touch, the more successful I would consider myself to be as an individual.’
In his advice to young people interested in pursuing higher education, Browne’s advice to them was to ‘go for it’. He noted that education can transform the lives and fortunes of individuals and countries.
‘I would say go for it. We know that education can help to transform the lives and fortunes of individuals and countries. By the way, we should not adopt a narrow definition of higher Education. You can receive higher Education at University, at the track clubs that produce athletes for the Olympics, in the workplace on the job and even from online tutorials and videos (I regularly listen to speeches and presentations on YouTube). I subscribe to being involved in structured courses that expand the breadth and depth of your knowledge and put you in a position to make a valuable contribution to the functioning of society.’
When asked who was a notable mentor of his, Browne made mention of the late P.R. Campbell, who he was assigned to under a mentorship program while he attended the SVGCC.
‘I would say that the deceased P. R. Campbell KC was my mentor. He was also a very close friend of my father and family. I was actually assigned to him under a mentorship programme when I was a student of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. We had similar interests. He was a lawyer-politician. I believe he made a strong and significant contribution to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I looked up to him as a role model. I thought that he was worthy of emulation. He provided me with guidance and counsel in relation to a number of important issues. I wish Mr. Campbell was alive to see me called to the Bar.’ he said.
Luke Browne has been a candidate for the Unity Labour Party (ULP) for three elections. We asked if he would be taking part in the next election. Browne says he will be pressing on for victory.
‘Yes. I will press on for victory. I would also like to use this opportunity to say that I don’t take previous elections results personally. I know that the constituency is a difficult seat for me to win as a candidate for the ULP based on history. However, we continue to see promising signs and I am prepared to keep on working for the people of the community. In 2020, I got more votes than I received in 2015. I got the most votes ever attained by a Labour Party candidate in the constituency. This was against the tide of a swing against the ULP. We are on an upward trajectory in terms of votes in the constituency and we intend to continue in that vein and to achieve a historic victory in the next elections.’ Browne said.
In the closing moments of our interview with Mr. Browne, we asked what can be expected of from Luke Browne the lawyer, this was his reply:
‘You can expect me to look out for the public interest. I would be a public interest lawyer. I would contribute to legal reform (including constitutional change). I have a professional interest in personal injury cases. I plan to be part and parcel of the thrust towards Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). I would place emphasis on the peaceful and amicable resolution of disputes to the extent possible. I would be an advocate for an efficient and effective judicial system. I firmly believe that justice delayed is justice denied. I plan to contribute to the development of local jurisprudence. I intend to represent the best interest of my clients fearlessly, vigorously and with courage and perseverance.’