The World Economic Forum has identified emotional intelligence as one of the top skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Emotional intelligence, a term developed by Salovey and Mayer in 1989, refers to the capacity to recognize, understand, manage, and use emotions in ourselves (and others) to foster positive interactions and decision-making. Among the various emotional intelligence models, Daniel Goleman, one of the world's leading EQ academics, identifies five key elements of emotional intelligence in his model: self-awareness, self-regulation, internal motivation, empathy, and social skill. In this exclusive interview with Trinidad & Tobago attorney Anjeli Narine, Anjeli discusses emotional intelligence, problem-solving, collaboration, and other skills that will distinguish the lawyers of the future.

Who is Anjeli Narine?

If we're honest, many of us lawyers tend to only describe ourselves in the context of the profession, with our job titles, career experiences, or wins. So, I asked Anjeli Narine to describe herself with a 3-sentence elevator pitch. The catch: only one sentence could explain aspects of her career or profession. Anjeli intimated to me that: 

“I’m a mother, wife, lawyer, and lifelong learner who finds meaning in both the work I do and the relationships that shape me. As general counsel, I focus on bringing clarity and practicality to complex challenges while keeping people and purpose at the center. At my core, I hope to be remembered for resilience, empathy, and creating space for others to thrive.”

Anjeli was one of my supervising attorneys during my early practice days in 2013, nearly six months after I was admitted to the Bar in Trinidad & Tobago. I personally witnessed her resilience, diligence, and meticulous approach to work. In those early days as a senior colleague, and one of my supervisors, Anjeli created a welcoming learning environment for me. It was through Anjeli that I cemented an early understanding about drafting court applications, pleadings, submissions, opinions, witness statements, and the like.

Initial indecision

No different from many current lawyers and law students, Anjeli expressed that she didn't initially plan to become a lawyer. But her initial indecision transformed into something purposeful and intellectually stimulating in the long run.  Anjeli expressed,  “I was eventually drawn in by the chance to make sense of complexity and help people navigate it. I love understanding what people truly need and working with them to co-create practical solutions. Over time, I’ve realized it’s the collaborative, problem-solving side of law—finding ways forward rather than fighting battles—that inspires me most.”

In a corporate/in-house setting, being a collaborative problem solver who finds progressive pathways rather than stumbling blocks is vital to becoming a trusted and strategic legal adviser and business partner, so I appreciated this weigh-in from Anjeli.

No single formal mentor

Like Anjeli silently mentored me, and many students and young lawyers will be mentored during the course of their professional careers, Anjeli indicated: “I haven’t had a single formal mentor, but I’ve learned so much from observing and interacting with many lawyers and leaders over the years. Seeing how different people handle challenges and reflecting on both the approaches I admire and those I would handle differently has been invaluable. For me, mentorship comes from connecting widely, staying curious, and learning from the full spectrum of experiences around you.”

Legal transition

Over the span of our legal careers, we may find ourselves at different points on the legal practice spectrum for various personal or professional reasons. In the Caribbean context, and possibly in other countries, a common one is transitioning from a career in litigation (at a law firm) to a corporate/in-house legal career. 

Anjeli shared her experience with me, in particular her transition from practising at a boutique law firm in Trinidad & Tobago to a corporate legal position, why she made the transition, the greater meaning it provided her and her gratitude for the experience. 

“When I was considering starting a family, I realized that the culture in litigation at the time might not support the work-life balance I was looking for. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to work hard, but I wanted to work differently—doing meaningful work, collaborating to solve problems, and feeling part of a bigger story. I am grateful I had the opportunity to transition into an environment where I can work hard, contribute strategically, and experience that sense of purpose and collaboration every day.”

Cherishing the small milestones 

Some of us may be guilty of looking forward to the next big event or accomplishment without reflecting on and savoring the present and enjoying the seemingly small but exceedingly significant blessings of the now. 

My question to Anjeli about her most significant milestone or win in her career triggered this reflective response: “I’ve never been someone who easily stops to label a moment as a 'milestone.’ I tend to focus on what’s next, what I can learn, and how I can do things differently. But looking back, I see that small moments, such as taking on challenges that stretched me, collaborating on solutions that mattered, or learning from experiences that weren’t glamorous, have quietly added up to meaningful growth and impact. Those cumulative experiences, rather than a single ostentatious win, have shaped my career and my approach to leadership. I think it is important to share this as there may be people who feel stuck, looking at their life and thinking that there are no big ‘milestones’ in their story. Career progress can be incremental and not earth-shattering, and that is equally as valuable.”

Her other career reflections & improvements 

A common challenge that women in the profession face is confronting and overcoming imposter syndrome, sharing our personal or professional brand, and taking up space in the world during the early stages of our careers. Anjeli acknowledged that this was something she personally grappled with, but also shared how she is overcoming it: 

“Looking back, I don’t have regrets, but I do see situations where I could have acted differently. In particular, I wish I had put myself out there more for visibility earlier in my career. Like many, I was often held back by imposter syndrome, worrying about what others might think. I still navigate that challenge, but I’ve learned that taking small steps to show your work, speak up, and share your ideas gradually builds confidence and creates space for others to see your contribution. Over time, I’ve realized that learning to embrace visibility is less about pushing past fear all at once and more about consistently leaning in, reflecting, and adjusting along the way.”

Family life & women in law

I saw Anjeli shift gears to become devoted to the journey of growing her family and becoming a mother. So I asked her to reflect on her personal experience and provide some words of advice to female law students or young female lawyers who would like to be married and start a family while in active practice. 

These were her insights: “My advice is to let go of perfection. Striving for 'well enough' doesn’t mean doing less; it means recognizing that balance always comes with sacrifices, and that prioritizing your family’s wellbeing and your own mental health is more important than trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. Don’t get caught up in negative opinions or comparisons—we often think others have it all together, but everyone is just doing their best. Learn to ask for help when you need it, embrace support where it’s available, and remember that balance isn’t about having it all together at once, but about making conscious choices that honour your priorities.”

Challenges for Trinidad & Tobago women in law & progress made

Women in law face a myriad of challenges in legal practice across the world. Some insights into these challenges are highlighted in the 2022 anthology Women in Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success. While some of these challenges may be unique to a particular state, country, or region, others are common worldwide. From her experience as a senior female lawyer in Trinidad & Tobago for nearly two decades, Anjeli provided her perspective on the biggest challenge facing females in the legal profession in her early career, and how this was overcome: “Early in my career, overworking was glamourised, and women who had children were often seen as less committed, creating a culture that stigmatized balancing family and work. Over time, and especially with experiences like remote work during COVID, attitudes may have started to shift a little, showing that flexibility and high performance can coexist. Today, the change continues as both women (and men) have started more openly sharing how they balance priorities like family and caregiving responsibilities, exercise and health, even hobbies. This helps to normalize work-life integration and destigmatize family commitments in the profession.”

Anjeli went on to share her opinion on the biggest challenge women in law in Trinidad & Tobago face now. How this could be overcome: “Notwithstanding the progress made in combating the perception of women being less committed to their careers, that stigma persists and continues to be a challenge. In my view, overcoming it requires ongoing openness about personal priorities. It requires persons bravely leading by example to demonstrate that it is possible to be fully committed, effective, and present both at work and at home.”

Anjeli's observations on the most significant improvements that she has noticed in the profession (generally) since her entry into practice were: “In recent times, one of the biggest improvements I’ve noticed is the embrace of technology, which has transformed how we work. Tools that enable remote work, digital collaboration, and more efficient management of information have made it possible to be productive without being tied to a single location or rigid schedule. This shift has improved flexibility and time management, supporting not just women with children, but everyone balancing multiple responsibilities and priorities, and allows lawyers to work smarter while maintaining better work-life balance.”

Advice to young lawyers & lawyers of the future 

Anjeli shared these valuable words of advice to persons entering the profession and early-career lawyers: “Focus on understanding people and the context behind legal issues and cultivate curiosity, because being helpful often requires knowing more than just the law. Avoid the temptation, especially as a young lawyer, to make things unnecessarily complex to show how smart you are. Instead, practice turning complexity into practical, actionable solutions.”

Daniel Goleman suggests that EQ is twice as important as cognitive intelligence for predicting career success. It can be developed by inter alia active listening, becoming an observer, acknowledging your emotional triggers, self-regulation, asking for feedback, journaling, and practicing mindfulness. 

I appreciated that Anjeli provided her perspective on the soft skill of emotional intelligence when asked to highlight the key skills and qualities that lawyers entering the profession need to navigate it over the next five years successfully. Anjeli advised that: “While technological literacy is undoubtedly a critical skill for future legal professionals and for everyone generally, I believe the most essential quality for lawyers in the coming years is emotional intelligence. In the past, lawyers could rely heavily on subject matter expertise even if their communication and interpersonal skills were less developed. But today, and even more so in the future, clients have options: other lawyers, alternative legal service providers, even AI tools like ChatGPT. What sets us apart is our ability to connect, to be the person clients want to talk to and trust with their problems. Building that trust and communicating with empathy and humanity are skills no technology can replicate.”

In closing 

One way for us to learn and improve as lawyers is from our peers, especially those who have walked the road before us. That is my objective in conducting and sharing these interviews—to look behind the curtain and learn from the lived experiences of our legal counterparts when they are not donned in their bands or immersed in a litigation, corporate or legal brief of any kind. I am most grateful to Anjeli for devoting the time for this interview, and it was my pleasure to spend my time interviewing and spotlighting her.

Anjeli Narine is a Trinidad & Tobago attorney-at-law with nearly 19 years of experience, combining her expertise in law and business to deliver clear, practical, and strategic guidance. She currently serves as General Counsel at a regional group and has also tutored contract law at the University of the West Indies, reflecting her passion for teaching and mentorship. Beyond her professional role, Anjeli is an avid reader of fiction, a mother of two boys, and someone who finds joy in supporting women and youth in small but meaningful ways. You can Follow/Connect with Anjeli on LinkedIn.

Bellina Barrow is the Principal Attorney/Founder of Tenoreque Legal, a virtual legal practice based in Trinidad & Tobago since 2021. A former legal tutor and a dedicated mentor, Bellina is committed to fostering and contributing to thought leadership in law, fintech, tech, digital assets and sports by deconstructing and demystifying these areas via practical and digestible storytelling and writing. Outside of her technical and academic writing, Bellina is also a co-author of the books Soul of An Athlete (2023) and Women in Law: Discovering the True Meaning of Success (2022).