High Court remembers departed Counsels

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. July 6, 2026

   Senior Counsel Robertha Magnus-Usher (RIP) and Family Court counsel Agnes Segura-Gillett (RIP) served the Belize justice system for almost 3 decades; and the Senior Courts of Belize and the Belize Bar Association honored their service to the nation with a special memorial sitting of the High Court and Court of Appeal in Belize City on Monday morning, July 6.

   “We are recognizing the contributions of our esteemed colleagues who have strengthened the administration of justice in Belize. Indeed, they have contributed to our jurisprudence and enriched the legal profession through their collective intellect, integrity and unwavering service,” declared Chief Justice Hon. Madame Louise Esther Blenman. Their departure left a void in the justice system.

   In this vein, she paid tribute to Robertha Magnus-Usher SC, saying: “To defend her clients, she did so with every fiber of her being. She was fair, fearless, and her presence commanded respect and inspired confidence in equal measure … In each of these areas in which she served, she became known for her careful preparation, sound judgement and endearing diligence. Family law, however, remained her passion. She was highly regarded for her excellence, integrity, reliability and was a formidable opponent in litigation.”

   “It’s evident that Mrs. Magnus-Usher brought to this noble profession qualities that transcended ability in the law. She was confident, candid, and engaged with matters directly and without artifice; and so doing, she earned the respect of her peers and the trust of those she represented. She demonstrated that a life in the legal profession is not measured solely by achievement, but by consistency and the courage to engage fully and honestly in the service of both the client and, more importantly, service to the court.” The Chief Justice acknowledged that Mrs. Magnus Usher was devoted to her family, and that her sons Brandon and Ryan were the loves of her life … “She set an example of a life lived with purpose, loyalty, care, and compassion.”

   Agnes Segura-Gillett was equally dedicated to serving Belize and to bring justice to all, Justice Blenman noted. “There is one defining feature of her life: her genuine care and concern for others. She was respected for her selflessness and compassion, and she treated everyone she encountered with a deep sense of respect.” She served in many firms, such as with Glenn Godfrey, Barrow and Williams, and Ellis and Company.

   “Her colleagues are all of the same view, namely that she was meticulous. She was always very prepared and devoted to excellence … She approached that responsibility with diligence and integrity. Her contribution to Belize extended beyond the representation of clients. She was committed to the public service; and her life exemplified that she was dedicated to provide service above self. One of the qualities that repeatedly emerges in relation to her character is her willingness to help others through her professional work, her community involvement or her personal relationships. She sought to make a difference.”

   As a founding member of the Lupus Association, she devoted considerable effort to advocacy, supporting and mentoring others. “She used that experience to educate others, advocate for a greater awareness and support [for] persons facing similar challenges,” Blenman recounted. “Mrs. Segura Gillette was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and sister. Her daughter Arianne Gillett and her son Ahren Gillet were the foundation of her life.”

   “Although Mrs. Segura Gillet is no longer physically present with us, her influence remains. It remains in the legal profession which she served with distinction. It remains in the organizations she worked intensely to strengthen. It remains in the lives she touched, and it remains in the family and friends … who continue to carry her memory forward.”

   President Jose Alpuche of the Bar Association of Belize, Senior Counsel Glenn D. Godfrey, Senior Counsel Melissa Balderamos-Mahler, and attorneys Tiffany Cadle-Flowers and Andrea McSweaney-McKoy also shared fond anecdotes of their years working beside their departed colleagues.