The Distinguished

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Keisha Hill
Senior Gleaner Writer
I T IS well known that being smart, com-
petent, and skilled are the keys to being a
successful lawyer. However, you must also
have the passion, zeal and determination to
be successful – especially in a competitive
environment.
Andrea Martin-Swaby, deputy director of
public prosecutions, with over 12 years expe-
rience in criminal prosecutions, is a highly
motivated and dedicated team player with
excellent people and project management
skills.
A quick leaner with a goal of continuous
improvement, Martin-Swaby has held the
position of deputy director of public prosecu-
tions since 2015.
Her main responsibilities include repre-
senting the Office of the Director of Public
Prosecutions in the Court of Appeal, prose-
cuting in the Circuit Court and in the Resi-
dent Magistrates’ Court.
“I have direct responsibility for managing
cyber crime matters in the lower and high
courts. In addition to my cases I also super-
vise the prosecutors that manage these case
loads and assist police officers that are inves-
tigating cyber crime-related matters,”
Martin-Swaby said.
Martin-Swaby, who toyed with the idea of
being an accountant or a lawyer
while a student at
Campion College, chose the latter and
enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the Univer-
sity of the West Indies (UWI) following her
graduation.
In 2003, she graduated with a bachelor of
laws degree with an upper second class hon-
ours and then completed her certificate of
legal education at the Norman Manley Law
School in 2005. Fresh out of law school,
Martin-Swaby wanted to establish her own
private practice, but having been offered a
post as clerk of the courts in the Ministry of
Justice, she changed course.
“At the Norman Manley
Law School I fell in love with trial advocacy
and discovered that I had a passion that was
suitable for the courts. Following graduation,
I wanted to do defence work and felt that
the private bar would have been more excit-
ing, but when I was offered the job as clerk
of the courts, I decided to change direction,”
Martin-Swaby said.
As clerk of the courts, Martin-Swaby’s
responsibilities included prosecuting in the
Resident Magistrates’ Court, assisting law
enforcement officers to prepare case briefs,
as well as conducting legal research and
preparing opinions on matters of law.
With a number of important cases under
her belt, Martin-Swaby has also written sev-
eral journals and conducted presentations
on varying topics related to cyber law, identi-
ty theft, and mutual legal assistance in the
fight against corruption.
“I have a very demanding
schedule, but I have to
find the time to
improve myself. I delve into a lot of research
at night and on weekends to gather material
to write my articles,” Martin-Swaby said.
Martin-Swaby is also a firm believer in
family. She is married with two children and
despite her busy schedule, she finds the time
to spend with them.
“I started my family while being in the
profession. As prosecutors we are taught
how to exercise efficient time management.
Family is important to me and my children
have an appreciation of what I do and I try
to spend as much time as possible with
them,” she said.
THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE • MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
Distinguished
THE
Law
RUDOLPH
BROWN/
PHOTOGRAPHER
ANDREA
MARTIN-SWABY
A force to be reckoned with
“At the Norman Manley Law School I fell in
love with trial advocacy and discovered that I
had a passion that was suitable for the
courts. Following graduation, I wanted to do
defence work and felt that the private bar
would have been more exciting ...”