President Irfaan Ali on Friday posthumously conferred the title of Senior Counsel on the late Attorney-at-Law Rinee Kissoon, honoring her decades of service to the legal profession and her unwavering dedication to justice.
Ali made the announcement while paying his final respects during Kissoon’s funeral service at Memorial Gardens Crematorium, where members of the judiciary, legal fraternity, relatives and friends gathered.
The president said Kissoon earned the distinction “through her mastery of the law, her dedication to justice, and the example she set for the younger members of the Bar.”
“She will forever be remembered as a brilliant legal mind, a woman of principle, and now, officially, as Senior Counsel Rinee Kissoon,” Ali said.
He described Kissoon as a humble but powerful presence in the legal community.
“To speak of her today is to speak of a woman who walked softly but left deep and lasting footprints on all the lives she touched,” he said.
Ali said Kissoon viewed the legal profession as a calling, not merely a career.
“She was a champion for her clients. Her commitment to her clients was absolute. She saw the law not as a mere career, but as a sacred duty — a means through which she could serve humanity,” he said.
The president praised her compassion, kindness, honesty and integrity, as well as her persuasive advocacy and “astute understanding and practice of the law.”
Kissoon was widely respected for representing both high-profile clients and those who could not afford legal fees. Former colleagues said she often took on cases in the interest of justice rather than financial gain. Even when unwell, she continued to prepare meticulously and advocate fearlessly.
Throughout her career, she mentored younger attorneys and was known for her professionalism, ethical standards and dedication to the rule of law.
Senior Counsel is among the highest honors in the legal profession in Guyana. The posthumous title officially recognizes Kissoon’s impact on the justice system and her legacy of service.
“She embodied the noblest traditions of the Bar,” Ali said. “Her life’s work will continue to inspire future generations.”
Kissoon’s passing is considered a significant loss to the legal community.