Sonalia wouldn’t have a bar of it without her friend

Sonalia Tamia (23, left), of Mactodd Lawyers, is admitted to the bar in the High Court at Dunedin yesterday with longtime friend Gracie Hannagan (23), of Wilkinson Rodgers Lawyers, as her moving counsel.

The ceremony in which she was admitted along with five others was an emotional experience, she said.

"It made me super proud of myself and everything that I’ve achieved. It made me really happy to have everyone who has supported me through my journey to be there to celebrate with me as well."

She met Ms Hannagan when they were in year 7 at school, and had taken hip-hop classes together. Since then, Ms Hannagan had been one of her best friends, she said.

"It was pretty amazing to be honest. I think I wouldn’t have had anyone else do it."