Rotary Club lauds Michael Hylton’s commitment to vocational service
IT CAME as a great surprise for King’s Counsel Byron St Michael Hylton, who on Tuesday was named the Rotary Club of St Andrew’s Orville Walker Vocational Service awardee for 2023-2024.
In his brief remarks, Hylton, who is a former solicitor general, stated that he did not expect such a recognition.
Addressing attendees at the award luncheon, which was held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, he said: “While I feel that I have made some contributions to the legal profession, I didn’t think that a national and international body like Rotary would think that I had made contributions at a national level that could justify my being here for this.”
The Orville Walker Vocational Service Award is bestowed annually to an individual who has a record of unwavering commitment, professional ethics, and a high achievement in his or her chosen vocation, which has resulted in the advancement of not only that mission, but to the nation, touching lives and helping to shape the future.
Hylton, who has been in the legal profession for 47 years and has given service to the Caribbean region, said he was deeply grateful for the recognition, crediting his successes to the support, encouragement, and guidance received from his wife, Keva; his children; family; and colleagues.
“It means a lot, especially when I consider the things that have happened in my life,” he said.
Hylton graduated with first class honours from The University of the West Indies and was called to the Bar in 1976.
YEARS OF SERVICE
He served as a judge of the Court of Appeal of the Turks and Caicos Islands; as commissioner and deputy chairman of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission; as chairman of the General Legal Council and the King’s Counsel Group.
At the Privy Council, Hylton has argued more than 35 appeals successfully and had eight losses.
With a passion of sharing his knowledge, especially with the younger generation, Hylton has also lectured students in mercantile law at The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech,) formerly known as the College of Arts, Science and Technology.
He also spent time tutoring at the Norman Manley Law School for more than 30 years.
Jemelia Davis, president of the Rotary Club of St Andrew, said vocational service was the “foundation of the Rotary movement”.
“Vocational service is the intense deployment of diverse professions and skills to meet the needs of the community,” Davis said, adding that it is geared towards creating positive change.
“We Rotarians believe that our professional skills are not merely for personal gain, but are powerful instruments for uplifting society. We believe that whether one is an engineer, a teacher, or an attorney-at-law, his vocation can be a force for good,” she added.