Lawyer makes move to LA

(CNS): A local lawyer used to using the laws will now be part of the proces of making them as she takes up the post of Clerk of the Legislative Assembly following the retirement of Wendy Lauer. Deputy Chief Secretary Franz Manderson has announced the appointment of. Zena Merren-Chin who started her new job on Monday, 3 August. Prior to moving into private practice Merren-Chin began her public service career in 1986 as a constable in the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). Within four years, she was pursuing legal studies and eventually became an associate attorney with Appleby where she has been for the last ten years.

Her private sector experience ranges from litigation on employment, personal injury, debt collection and family law, to probate and administration applications. Before joining Appleby, however, she served as Deputy Clerk of Courts where she was responsibile for the Criminal Registry (Summary and Grand Courts), the Coroner’s Court and the Juvenile and Youth Court.

Her connection to the courts system was forged while a Cayman Islands Law School student when she was articled to the Clerk of Courts, in addition to being seconded to other government departments.

Merren-Chin currently maintains positions on several committees and boards, including the Legal Befrienders, the Immigration Status and Permanent Residence Board, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and the Civil Service Association’s Co-operative Credit Union.

Manderson said he was delighted to welcome Merren-Chin back to the civil service. “She is uniquely qualified for this post and I wish her every success,” Manderson added.

Merren-Chin said that being a part of Cayman’s legislative process was going to be an exciting chapter in her career.  “I am looking forward to all of the aspects of the position of Clerk of the LA,” she added.