Bar admission honours a father who was so close

Bridget Lewis signs the book for lawyers admitted in Rotorua. Photo / Supplied

Being admitted to the bar would be a huge day for all new lawyers, but for Rotorua's Bridget Lewis it is particularly poignant.

Miss Lewis began her law degree at Waikato University in 2010, motivated by the untimely death of her father who died in a car accident in 2006.

Her father, Ratu Lewis, was two papers off completing a law degree from Waikato University.

"The main reason I went to do my law degree was because my father died. I had always wanted to do it but I was never motivated before," she said.

Miss Lewis, who was raised in Whakarewarewa, was admitted to the bar as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court late last month in a ceremony in Rotorua.

"It was a really cool ceremony. About 40 people turned up and they did a pohiri for me."

She enjoyed having the occasion in Rotorua because people at the ceremony knew her and her late father, who was a Maori Presbyterian minister.

"Dad's passing was really devastating for the whole family. He had worked so hard for his law degree and was so close to finishing. He was the leader of our family," she said.

Living up to her dad's legacy meant she completed the four-year degree in three years.

She also had a baby while studying.

"My daughter was born just before the the last exams and it was a tough time but my partner, Manu, was amazing," she said.

Miss Lewis worked as a court registrar prior to embarking on her studies, and her experience there made her want to work in family or criminal law, which she is looking forward to doing.