Cameron & Shepherd celebrates 125 years

By Ralph Ramkarran

One hundred years ago, on 5 September, 1926, an editorial in the New Daily Chronicle of 5 September 1926 stated: “For many years past Messrs. Cameron and Shepherd, of the City, have enjoyed the privilege of being regarded as the Colony’s leading firm of Solicitors: for very many years they have enjoyed the unbounded confidence of the community, as a firm whose opinion on any legal matter was entitled to the highest esteem and respect.” It is not known if the same can be said today. At that time, there were at most a few dozen lawyers. Today, there are hundreds, many of great skill and learning. But for any institution to have survived intact for 125 years in a young country like Guyana is nothing short of a miracle.

Cameron & Shepherd was established by William Stuart Cameron and his cousin, Charles Edward Shepherd on 4 April 1901. Cameron was a Guyanese and 43 years old at the time. Shepherd was British and 22. It is believed that Cameron would have sent for Shepherd after his first attempt in 1891 to establish a firm, Dargan and Cameron, with Patrick Dargan, a prominent lawyer, described as of “mixed race,” failed in about 1899. Cameron & Shepherd quickly established itself as a leader in commercial litigation and non-contentious work. As it grew, its clientele ranged from the small businessman, many from the city as well as rural communities, to the larger commercial businesses in the city as well as a large number of regular Guyanese. Eventually, Cameron & Shepherd became a leading firm of lawyers on which basis the editorial in the New Daily would have been written.

Of the 19 partners since 1901, 15 were Guyanese. Of the 4 who were British, 2 were recruited by Bookers to concentrate on their matters. Of the remaining 2, one, Shepherd, was directly recruited by Cameron to start the firm. Cameron & Shepherd, which has survived for 60 plus years in colonial British Guiana and 60 plus yeas in Independent Guyana, was and is today a completely indigenous firm. Throughout its history, up to the present, its partners were active in public life, held political positions, sat on commissions, and contributed to the community in the manner they felt were consistent with the dominant values at the time. As those values have evolved, and are constantly evolving today, (we talked about “imperialism” up to the 90s; today it’s a bad word), Cameron & Shepherd has also evolved, embracing new developments in public affairs, in law and other relevant areas.

 

Each of the few businesses that have survived since the 19^th century, or the turn of the 20^th century have their own experiences that were responsible for their longevity. Cameron & Shepherd’s survival must have had something to do with the quality of its work that gave rise to the opinion articulated by the New Daily Chronicle. It may also have had to do with its fierce commitment to its clients, its dedication to excellence and the trust between partners based on based on rigid adherence to fundamental standards and principles. It is not an easy task to divide responsibilities and shareholding among a disparate group of people, some of strong views, with differing abilities, levels and qualities of contributions, but suppressing their own views much of the time to secure agreement and for the common good. To have succeeded at this for 125 years is a monumental achievement.

Cameron & Shepherd’s contribution to law and the administration of justice has been monumental. Fortunately for the legal profession, the British Guiana Law Reports, the Guyana Law Reports and the West Indian Reports, which publish important cases that are heard in British Guiana and in Guyana, bear witness to the contribution of Cameron & Shepherd’s lawyers to Guyana’s and West Indian jurisprudence. And it is not minor. The firm was involved in the major cases of the day for many decades, advancing innovative legal principles and creating precedents. It has practiced in every court established in Guyana’s history which has jurisdiction over Guyana, including the Privy Council for foreign clients.

Because of the rules against publicity by lawyers, which have been rigidly applied in earlier years, but which are today more creatively interpreted, it has not been possible to extol the work and contribution of Cameron & Shepherd to Guyana over the 125 years of its existence. But it is doubted if anyone would begrudge the licence being taken at this time to define that contribution.

 

Families have somehow gravitated to the firm but have thankfully resisted the temptation to add their own names to that of the firm. There was first the De Freitas family consisting of J. G. De Freitas K.C, uncle to brothers J. Edward De Freitas, a solicitor, Herman De Freitas, a solicitor and Paul De Freitas, a barrister and son of J. Edward. All were partners. Without detracting from the talent and contribution of Herman and Paul, J. G. and J. Edward were among the most brilliant lawyers produced by Guyana. Then there were H. C. Humphreys K.C and H. C. B. Humphreys, his son. Today there are H. N. Ramkarran S.C., Nikhil Ramkarran and Kamal Ramkarran. No doubt there will be more families in the future. Apart from families, many individual partners have made lasting contributions to law in general and to the firm.

Cameron & Shepherd stands ready to play its role in 21st century Guyana for the next 125 years.

 

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