Aaron Patrick

Aaron Patrick, a 2019 Law graduate, is a Lecturer in Law and Politics at Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and an Attorney at Law with Richmond House. Called to the bars of England and Wales, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, Aaron has established himself as an accomplished advocate and educator.

At just 25, he became a lecturer overseeing all law courses. His time at Kent, particularly mooting and extracurricular leadership roles, honed the advocacy skills he uses daily in court.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After graduating from Kent, I studied the BPTC with combined LLM at The University of Law. I was called to the bar of England and Wales by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in November 2020. Thereafter, I returned to Trinidad and Tobago where I undertook in service training and was called to the bar of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 2021. Since then, I started working in Chambers as an advocate with a primarily common law based practice with a preference towards criminal high court work. In 2022, I concluded the Legal Education Certificate at The Sir Hugh Wooding Law School. In May 2024, I was called to the bar of the Republic of Guyana. Around that same time, in or around April 2024, I moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands to start a job as a Lecturer in Law/ Politics, where I currently work and reside.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

As a lawyer, working in Trinidad, I usually get up at 4:30am and I am in my office  by 6am. I start my day off by preparing for Court that I have during that day. Court usually starts from 9 am. Thereafter, I deal with all client meetings. In the afternoon, period, I spend my time dealing with administrative work/written work such as letters, drafting legal arguments, etc. I usually leave work between 6pm - 8pm.As a lecturer, I reach to campus before my classes, where I review the curriculum for the classes I have that day, and ensure that I have a plan for the class. If the day demands, I may sit and grade assignments. Then I teach and head home. I use weekends to prepare for the week ahead.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

Judges/ Magistrates think I am much more senior in the profession than I actually am. Based on how I present myself in Court, they believe I am doing this for much longer than I actually am.

I also became a lecturer where I oversee all law courses at the age of 25.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Almost every day, I use what I learnt in all my courses. I also did a substantial amount of mooting which helps me with my court room advocacy on a daily basis.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Apply for everything.
The career really is worth the gruelling hours that it takes to get here.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

I was as involved as much as I could in Kent:

• Many Mooting Competitions: Leicester Medical Moot Competition, OUP Moot, 13th Annual Law Asia International Moot Competition, etc.
• Secretary, Inner Temple Student Association 2018/19 and 2019/20
• Kent Law School Mentor 2017/18 and 2018/19
• Stage 3 UG Law Student Representative 2018/19
• President of Kent Law Temple Society
• Treasurer of Kent Law Temple Society
• Vice-President Eliot College

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

I remember when I was preparing for an assessed moot. I would wait until the mooting Chamber was empty at the end of the day. I would go in and stand there and practice - basically speaking to the wall. I did that for the better part of 2 weeks. Every single time I did that, my lecturer just so happened to pass by and see me. He would look at me and smirk but never came in or said a word. I was never so mortified because I am sure I looked like a lunatic speaking to the wall.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I really don't think I could change anything about my time at Kent. I had too much fun and my lecturers just made it so much better. I wouldn't even trade the all-nighter library session - that's where character is made and you make some unexpected friends. I would do it all the same if I had to do it again.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Yes I am. I still speak with my lecturers and some friends I made through my time there, from Trinidad and otherwise.

What are your future ambitions?

My aim is to be a King's/ Senior Counsel and Professor in Law.