Following a short stint in the retail sector, Roberto Martins Avila followed his childhood dreams of becoming a legal eagle.
He said he found his passion in law at a very young age,nd even his interests in television were around legal dramas and series.
“I was always intrigued about the idea that as a person, there comes a time when you need to place your problems in someone else’s hand and trust that this person will provide you with a solution. This goes against the common perception that you should face your own battles,” Avila said.
Born in Walvis Bay and raised in Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, Avila relocated to Namibia in 2016, where he completed his secondary school at Windhoek Gymnasium.
After a short stint in the retail sector, he enrolled at Cape Town for his studies in law. He, however, only finished his studies through the University of South Africa through distance education, and obtained his degree in 2019.
He joined Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys in 2018 under the mentorship of Florian Beukes, whom he says played an integral role in his growth in the sector, along with the mentorship of Richard Metcalfe.
“In 2019, I completed my Justice Training certificate and was admitted to practice in the High Court on 05 March 2021, and issued a practising certificate for the Supreme Court of Namibia on 02 June 2023,” Avila stated.
He went on to say: “I started with my legal practice in 2018 when I primarily worked as a legal clerk. I progressively transitioned into a labour and criminal practice lawyer through 2019 to 2021 where after my practice transitioned to High Court litigation”.
His key practice areas are entrenched in representing members of the public in opposing home repossessions, corporate law, insurance law, construction law, and general litigation.
Avila made appearances in several high-profile matters and assisted the public in providing pro bono services where his practice allowed it. He has practiced in all courts within Namibia and always looks forward to working with clients on challenging matters.
“I have immense passion for the art of litigation and all the nuances it comes with. I pride myself in preparation as I find preparation to be one of the most important, if not the most important, aspects to litigation. It is crucial to show your clients that you are prepared to represent them to the best of your ability. It also assists the courts when you are prepared as there is no greater frustration in litigation than an unprepared lawyer,” he stressed.
Of course, preparation alone might not save you from a challenging case, but it will instil a sense of confidence and pride in your client towards your capabilities, which is what he strives for.
Advice to prospective law students/lawyers
His advice to prospective law students is that as a lawyer, you are expected to be a problem-solver. “You are required to use your professional knowledge to find the most suitable solution to your client’s problem. But in doing so, you should never compromise your integrity or the integrity of the judicial system. But trust me, the feeling of finding that solution is unbeatable, especially when the odds are stacked against your client… Go the extra mile, spend that extra hour, and read that extra paragraph, it helps,” he advised.
He further said he has a strong admiration for Justice Thomas Masuku’s penning of judgments. “His Lordship has a sense of creative artistic expression with his linguistics which is simply a joy to read. He prepares judgments just as an artist paints a masterpiece. Even in instances where you are on the losing end of that judgment, I guarantee that you will find one or two expressions therein that will raise your spirits, even if it’s just slightly, in the face of defeat,” Avila said.
-rrouth@nepc.com.na