Former Grahamstonian Dawn Mpati-Muchira was recently admitted to the New York Bar of Attorneys (NYB). She is the daughter of the Supreme Court of Appeal chairperson, Justice Lex Mpati.
Former Grahamstonian Dawn Mpati-Muchira was recently admitted to the New York Bar of Attorneys (NYB). She is the daughter of the Supreme Court of Appeal chairperson, Justice Lex Mpati.
She spoke to Grocott’s Mail News Editor Abongile Mgaqelwa about her work and her life
AM: Where and when did you study?
DM: I was born and raised in Grahamstown and went to St Mary’s Primary. Then for high school I went to a boarding school in Jo’burg at Woodmeade. Some famous people who went to my high school include Jacqui Mofokeng, Fana Mokeona and Bruce Fordyce but that was before I was at school there. Then I went to Wits, where I completed my BA (Industrial Sociology and Law) and then my LLB. Then I worked in Jo’burg at the prestigious law fi rm Bowman Gilfi llan for six years. Then after that I moved to Toronto, Canada (York University) where I completed my masters (LLM) in Banking and Financial Services.
AM: When did you move to the USA?
DM: I moved to the USA in 2006 when I got a position at the World Bank in Washington DC. I worked in the bank’s legal department.
AM: Where are you working currently?
DM: I am still at the World Bank but now I am in a department called Confl ict Resolution Services.
AM: When were you admitted to the New York Bar?
DM: The admission ceremony was this January but the process takes about eight months before then.
AM: Did you write an exam or were you interviewed?
DM: Yes you have to do exams and interviews. There is an unbelievable amount of work required of you during preparation and the exam itself is over two intensive days totalling an examination period of over 12 hours. Then after that you have to prove your education and work experience from your country of origin by fi ling endless documents and going through an interview. This phase can turn even the most patient of lawyers into a crazy person!
AM: Are you the first African woman to be part of the NYB?
DM: Absolutely not. There are many African women who have been admitted to the NYB. I am just one of many. The NYB has a reputation for having the most rigorous bar requirements and it is considered to be one of the most difficult legal benchmarks in the world. Because of its reputation, it opens many doors, especially in the US. This is important if you are a foreign-trained attorney in the US.
AM: Tell us more about yourself, do you socialise often, how do you entertain yourself?
DM: I don’t socialise much because I have a full house. My kids, house, and work keep me occupied all day everyday. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself, but then I quickly remember how I’m blessed in many other ways.Whatever is on my plate right now, I am enjoying that.
