Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Left: Attorneys Emile (standing) and John Leiba, who are also father and son. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Right:
Father and son pair Emile (left) and John Leiba not only share a passion for the law. They have been running partners for the past 17 years and are seen here at the 2003 Chicago Marathon. - CONTRIBUTED
John Leiba and his son Emile share more in common than genetic material.. Like his father, Emile is an attorney-at-law, and ironically his practice is at Myers Fletcher and Gordon, a firm with a friendly rivalry with DunnCox Attorneys-at-Law where the senior Leiba is a partner.
JOHN LEIBA explains that it was not his design for Emile to become an attorney, but he is proud of the direction of his son's career. "I firmly believe in people making their own choices, including my children." Having developed a healthy appreciation for law, Emile enrolled in the Norman Manley Law School and was admitted to practice in 2002.
"It was actually my mother who encouraged me to enter law," says Emile. He sat Accounts, Economics and Mathematics in A'Levels because of his keen interest in Accounting, but instead decided to pursue the legal profession. "I entered the profession because it is something that I believe I could be successful at," he explains. I enjoy what I do and have no regrets," he added.
Though they are in the same profession, their practices are quite different. John Leiba has a specialist practice in real estate, whereas Emile specialises in civil litigation. "Dad does conveyance and doesn't see the courts very often," says Emile. "My call to the bar was probably his three times in court," he added jokingly. Nonetheless John has sought to pass on the important lesson - "your integrity is the core of this profession."
MARATHONS
Still, the similarities do not stop with occupation. The Leibas have been running partners for 17 years, and are both members of the Jamdammers Running Club. They have run two major marathons together: the 2003 Chicago Marathon and another in Baltimore. John, who has been running for 43 years, actually had a more active hand in his son's interest in running. Between laughs Emile says, "When he started to take me running at age nine and I wasn't the most willing candidate because of the early mornings," but with time he grew to enjoy it. Now the pair participates in races and marathons together, the most recent being the High Mountain Race in Mandeville in January.
They are also both active members of the Bethel Baptist Church, where the senior Leiba is a Deacon. Another twist is that their birthdays fall two days apart, with Emile celebrating his on January 3 and John Leiba on January 5.
Apart from his legal practice John Leiba sits on many boards and committees including the board of the Jamaica Special Olympics. With a father who is so accomplished, a son might feel lost in his shadow or pressured to fill such large and acclaimed shoes. Emile, however, asserts that he doesn't feel any pressure to repeat his father's achievements. "I admire and respect all that he has accomplished," nonetheless, he is an individual. And to that his dad responds, "I wouldn't want it any other way." Still, Emile seeks to honour his father as, "Dad has a very good name in the profession and I would like to think that I have upheld that name", he explains. "I have learnt a lot from Dad, especially the about integrity in the legal profession which cannot be over-emphasised. You stand or fall by your reputation, which may attract or repel clients."
Emile says if he ever has a son, like his father, he would encourage him to pursue what makes him happy, and not expect him to follow in his footsteps.
