‘She argued with grit and lived with conviction’: Remembering the fearlessness of Ramona Farquharson
Friends and colleagues in the Bahamas’ legal community are mourning the sudden passing of noted attorney Ramona Farquharson, remembered for her grit, fearlessness, and unmistakable presence in the courtroom.
Farquharson, who was called to the Bar in 2001, died on Sunday, news that came as a shock to many who knew her as a woman still deeply engaged in public life and the practice of law.
Tributes have poured in, painting a picture of an attorney who embodied the law practice.
Fellow attorney Christina Galanos recalled a defining moment early in her career, which she says shaped her professional life. In a social media post, Galanos said she once arrived at the Court of Appeal with no real understanding of how to argue an appeal.
That day, she watched Farquharson argue on her feet for nearly three hours.
“I was absolutely blown away by the sheer strength of her arguments and the grit with which she presented them,” Galanos wrote. “Without even knowing it, Mrs. Farquharson-Seymour gave me my first and only master class on how to present an appeal.”
She said that moment planted a seed, one she has continued to nurture throughout her career. “I can truly say that I am a better attorney because I took the time to observe her in action.”
Leader of the Free National Movement Michael Pintard also reflected on Farquharson’s impact, describing her as a woman unafraid of difficult conversations.
He recalled her “tough questions and strong positions on subjects most would avoid or sugarcoat when the matter required forthrightness,” noting that she served as a member of the party’s Executive Committee.
“Ramona was widely respected for her sharp wit, formidable legal acumen, and fearless advocacy,” Pintard said. “She was direct and did not mince words when sharing her views.”
Prime Minister Philip Davis said he was stunned by her passing, describing her as someone still “in the middle of giving.”
“Ramona was in her late 40s, yet her name carried weight in our legal community,” Davis said. “She earned respect.”
