‘A pit bull of a lawyer’

“Right now, I am devastated because I wasn’t expecting this,” Constable Lescene Edwards said on Monday, reflecting on the passing of King’s Counsel Valerie Neita Robertson.

Like many across Jamaica, Edwards was shocked and saddened by the loss of the 71-year-old legal powerhouse who fell ill last October and passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family.

Edwards, one of Neita Robertson’s clients, benefited from her passionate and fierce legal battles. He was freed in 2022 after the Privy Council overturned his 2013 murder conviction. The constable had been sentenced to 35 years to life for the murder of the mother of his twin girls, 23-year-old Aldonna Harris. Her body was found alongside a suicide at her home in Pembroke Hall, St Andrew, in September 2003. Neita Robertson had represented Edwards both at trial and appeal, and he described her as a “lioness in the court and justice seeker”.

Edwards, who last spoke to her three months ago, when she sought his assistance during her last case – the Keith Clarke murder – was deeply affected by her death.

“She was the one who had my back. She was my strength during all those times, so I am very devastated right now,” he told The Gleaner.

Neita Robertson, who had a remarkable 47-year legal career, was known for her relentless pursuit of justice. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2016 and continued working until October 2024, when she fell ill during the Keith Clarke murder trial in which she represented one of the -acquitted soldiers.

STARTING OUT

Her legal journey began under the mentorship of the late Anthony Spaulding and Ian Ramsay, QC, before she became a prominent figure in both law and politics. She served as a People’s National Party councillor in Papine, elected in 1986, and ran for Portland Western in the 2020 election.

As her death sent shockwaves throughout the island yesterday, colleagues, friends and family remembered her not only a passionate and fierce advocate, a devoted mother, and an encouraging mentor, but a thoughtful human who assisted many in silence.

Her family described her as a “a tireless defence lawyer, a committed advocate for justice, the rule of law, equity, equality before the law, and social justice”.

Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of many, particularly her four sons, siblings, other family members, friends and other loved ones, on which she has made a lasting impact, the family said.

The PNP hailed Neita Robertson as an extraordinary lawyer, who had an unwavering commitment to social justice and public service. She also had a passion for politics and a “steadfast belief” in the founding principles of the party, which guided her career in politics, it said.

“Valerie’s unwavering dedication to justice and her significant contributions to our party and nation will forever be remembered,” said PNP President and Opposition Leader Mark Golding.

Jamaica Labour Party stalwart and Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson, KC said, “Valerie was committed to the law and security justice for her clients regardless of their background or station in life. She will be surely and sorely missed at the Bar.”

Jamaican Bar Association President Kevin Powell expressed his association’s deep sadness, calling her a distinguished and formidable advocate who mentored young attorneys and remained unwavering in her commitment to the rule of law.

‘A GLADIATOR EXRAORDINAIRE’

Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, with whom Neita Robertson had many unforgettable showdowns in some of the biggest cases, expressed condolences on behalf of her office. She remembered Neita Robertson’s “flamboyant, feisty, fierce, passionate style” in court.

“She was senior to me, but appearing against her as a prosecutor, especially in some of these complex cases, it was an experience like no other. She was a gladiator extraordinaire, and she pushed you to do your very, very best. Valerie gave 150 [per cent] at all times in defence of her client, and you had to respect that,” Llewellyn said.

Outside of court, Llewellyn said Neita Robertson was a doting mother who spoke glowing about her four sons who she described as the legal stalwart’s “greatest production”.

She said Neita Roberston was also a great mentor to young counsels and would often give them unsolicited assistance during their cases.

“Valerie would not have anything to do with the case, and she’d pass, and just start taking to you on behalf of young counsel, who is appearing in the case,” Llewellyn recalled.

One of her mentees, attorney-at-law Tamika Harris, described her as a “remarkable legal mind, mentor, and friend”, who embodied the highest standards of legal excellence, integrity, and dedication to justice.

Senior lawyer Bert Samuels, who worked with her in many high-profile cases, lauded Neita Robertson not only as an attorney par excellence, but a “pit bull of a lawyer”.

“She defended the underdogs. Persons who could not afford excellent representation, she provided excellent representation to them. She was bold and strong in the courtroom. She never compromised the defence. No judge could push her in the direction that she thought was not in the best interest of her clients,” he said.

Another senior lawyer, Linton Gordon, who worked with Neita Robertson in her last case, praised her as “a fighter who never backs down from difficult challenges in the profession”.

He added: “She’s always available to help those who cannot pay the normal commercial fee and she is a most helpful King’s Counsel to junior lawyers. She was always ready for a joke, always prepared to laugh and always prepared to tolerate all the jibes that you can throw at her. We will miss her, the profession has lost a true profession.”

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com