Long before Caroline Sesay became a lawyer, she already knew she wanted to be one. What began as a childhood ambition has grown into a career shaped by research, careful analysis, and an instinct for the details that others might overlook.
From studying international law in Vienna to building a career across legal practice, corporate advisory, company secretarial work, and governance, each chapter has helped shape the lawyer she is today. Now, Caroline is seeking to serve as General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, drawing on that experience as she takes on a new challenge within the profession.
In this interview, she reflects on the journey that brought her here, the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership and service, and the vision behind her candidacy for the Bar’s next chapter.
Tell us about your journey in the legal profession. What inspired you to become a lawyer, and how have your experiences shaped your career and approach to service?
“I grew up wanting to become a lawyer. It was a natural fit for my strengths, particularly my love for research and analysis and my keen attention to detail. I completed my LLB (Hons) at the University of Essex in 2014, including an Erasmus exchange in International Law at the University of Vienna, before completing my Bar Finals at the Sierra Leone Law School and being called to the Bar in 2017.
I began my legal career as an Associate at Yada Williams & Associates, where I gained broad experience in corporate, intellectual property, family, property, contract, and litigation law. That early exposure provided me with a strong foundation across multiple areas of legal practice before my career evolved towards corporate and commercial law, where I found my strongest professional footing, and, subsequently, into company secretarial and governance work. That progression has shaped my career, grounding it in precision, discipline, and a deep commitment to institutional integrity.”
Over the years, what have been some of the defining moments and achievements in your legal career, and what lessons have they taught you about leadership and professionalism?
“Earning an LLM with Distinction in Global Business Law and Regulations is one of such defining moments as it deepened my understanding of governance, compliance, and how institutions run effectively. However, before being called to the Bar, I gained valuable experience in human rights and public interest work taught me to lead with empathy, accessibility, and a commitment to the public. Since beginning legal practice, I have built a career in senior corporate legal advisory roles in Sierra Leone. I have served as an external solicitor, providing company secretarial and legal services to Vista Bank (SL) Ltd., and now as Legal Advisor to the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation, where I also carry out company secretarial functions.
Across these roles, I have advised on corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory matters for the institutions I have served. These roles and experiences have taught me that leadership in law means mastering detail, protecting institutional integrity, and engaging effectively with very different stakeholders, from vulnerable individuals to boards and regulators.”
Colleagues know you as a committed member of the profession. How would you describe your leadership style, and what values have guided you throughout your career as a lawyer?
“I am dependable, thorough, and detail-oriented. Those qualities are reflected in my current role as Internal Auditor II of Legal Access through Women Yearning for Equality Rights and Social Justice (L.A.W.Y.E.R.S.).
During last year’s AGM, I privately raised observations with colleagues regarding the meeting minutes and the need for clearer action points. Following that conversation, they felt my attention to detail would be a valuable asset to the incoming Executive and nominated me for the role. It was not a position I had actively sought, but I accepted because it gave me an opportunity to contribute to the work of L.A.W.Y.E.R.S. in a meaningful way.
I believe leadership within the Bar should be approached in the same spirit: with a willingness to serve, respect for our Association and colleagues, and a commitment to carry out every responsibility diligently and with integrity.”
You recently announced your candidacy for General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Bar Association. What motivated your decision to seek this office, and what vision do you have for the Association?
“My experience as a company secretary has fundamentally shaped why I am seeking the office of General Secretary. The role is centered on governance: ensuring compliance, maintaining proper records, facilitating sound decision-making, and serving as the trusted link between leadership and the wider institution. In that environment, statutory compliance and proper process are not optional; they are the foundation upon which effective institutions are built.
I see the office of General Secretary in much the same way: as the custodian of the Bar Association’s governance, institutional memory, and administrative integrity. At a time when confidence in our institutional processes is especially important, I believe the Association deserves a General Secretary who approaches the role with rigor, transparency, responsiveness, and an unwavering commitment to proper governance.”
As members prepare to elect a new leadership team, what message would you like to share with colleagues who are seeking a professional, credible, inclusive, and responsive Bar?
“As we choose our next leadership team, I encourage colleagues to consider which candidates have demonstrated genuine respect for our Association, its structures, and its members.
Our Association is strongest when its leaders place collegiality, professionalism, and the collective interests of the profession above personal or factional considerations. If entrusted with the office of General Secretary, I will work to uphold those values and to help build a Bar Association that every member can trust to be responsive, transparent, fair, and professionally administered.”
Looking Ahead
Caroline Sesay’s journey has been shaped by a steady commitment to the legal profession and a belief that good leadership starts with responsibility, attention to detail, and a willingness to serve. As she seeks to serve as General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, she brings years of experience, a strong understanding of governance, and a clear sense of what the role demands.
Her candidacy marks another step in a career that has continued to evolve, from a childhood ambition to become a lawyer to a professional life grounded in law, governance, and service. The next chapter, she says, is about putting that experience to work for the wider profession and helping build an Association that members can trust.