AMERICA | An exceptional girl named Gabrielle Turnquest, a florida teen made history by becoming the youngest person ever called to the Bar of England and Wales at just 18 years old. With her achievement, she broke a record in the profession’s more than 600-year history.
At a time when the average age for completing the Bar Professional Training Course is around 27, Gabrielle shattered expectations and long-standing norms.
“I am honored to be the youngest person to pass the Bar exams, but, really, I was not aware at the time what the average age was. I didn’t fully realise the impact of it,” she said reflecting on her success.
Gabrielle's Story and How She Did It
Gabrielle’s academic journey was not through the conventional path. After being homeschooled for a period in the Bahamas, she advanced rapidly through her studies, consistently staying ahead of her peers.
By 12, she had started advanced academic work, and at the age of 14, she formally began her undergraduate degree.
Gabrielle enrolled for her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and by the age of 16, she graduated and became the youngest person to complete an undergraduate degree at Liberty University in Virginia.
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Gabrielle proceeded with her postgraduate studies at the University of Law in London. She completed her Bar course the following year and qualified as a barrister at 18.
Until 2009, trainee lawyers in England and Wales had to be at least 21 before being eligible for call to the Bar, making her achievement even more remarkable in modern legal history.
Gabrielle pursued a qualification in the UK because she intended to practice in her parents’ native Bahamas. Being called to the Bar of England and Wales also allowed her to be called to the Bahamas Bar.
Interestingly, she did not initially plan to study law. The idea developed later during her academic journey.
Despite her young age, she says she never felt isolated. While studying early, she remained connected with peers her own age and did not feel she missed out on youth experiences.
“I don’t think I have missed out on anything, I have just decided to do it at a different time in my life,” she said.
However, one lingering concern Gabrielle usually faced was whether people would take her seriously as a barrister. “The general reaction to my age has been shock… There is an initial disbelief, but then people get used to it,” she stated.
However, she has received little negative feedback, and most people assume she is older. After qualifying in the UK, Gabrielle planned to return to the United States to study at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising before sitting the multi-state Bar exam.
Her long-term goal is to build a career in international fashion law, combining her legal expertise with an interest in the global fashion industry.
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