Empowering Youth Through Legal Literacy: A Conversation with Diana Thomas

Following her recent presentation at the inaugural ECSC Youth Symposium, Diana Thomas, senior partner at Floissac, DuBoulay & Thomas (FDT) and Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Bar Association of Saint Lucia, sat down with us to reflect on her experience.

At the symposium, Diana—with the assistance of two junior colleagues from FDT—delivered a candid talk on estate planning, breaking down key legal concepts such as wills, intestacy, and succession law. The team encouraged students to spark open conversations with family members about end-of-life planning and to take an interest in how the legal system operates in their daily lives. 

We spoke with Diana about her motivation behind the session, her mentorship philosophy, and the legal profession's role in shaping future generations.

What inspired you and your team at Floissac, DuBoulay & Thomas to focus your Youth Symposium presentation on estate planning—a topic not often discussed with young people?

Diana Thomas: Estate planning may not be the first topic that comes to mind when engaging with youth, but for us, that was precisely the point. The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court wanted to tackle something often considered taboo or “for older people” and turn it into an opportunity for empowerment. We were delighted when the Court asked me to deliver the presentation, and we took the opportunity to involve one administrative assistant and one junior attorney from the firm.

At Floissac, DuBoulay & Thomas, we believe legal knowledge should be accessible to everyone. We were proud to walk the students through what a will is, what happens when someone dies without one, and how these processes work in St. Lucia. As we emphasized during our session, knowledge is power. And giving young people the tools to understand the law, even on subjects that might feel uncomfortable, allows them to be informed advocates for themselves and their families. The oohs and aahs from the audience when we explained something as simple—but surprising—as children inheriting before spouses affirmed for us, in that moment, how important this kind of education is.

You’ve been a strong advocate for mentorship and education throughout your career. How do these values influence your work at FDT and engagement with the next generation?

Diana Thomas: Mentorship and education are more than professional obligations for me—they're personal values. At FDT, I’ve always believed in creating space for junior colleagues to observe, participate, lead, and grow. It’s the same spirit I bring to my new role as Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Bar Association of Saint Lucia. I see tremendous potential for the legal profession to do more outreach, teaching, and listening. 

When we respect and openly engage young professionals—whether law students, interns, or first-year attorneys—we foster a legal community that’s not only skilled but deeply collaborative. It’s important to help others realize they belong.

How would you like to see the legal profession in St. Lucia continue to support and empower youth through education, outreach, or reform?

Diana Thomas: One of my priorities as Chair of the Bar Association’s Education Committee is to bridge the gap between legal institutions and everyday citizens, especially our youth. At the Youth Symposium, we encouraged the idea of introducing an introductory civics class in schools. Students leave secondary education knowing how to solve algebra equations, but they don’t know how our court system works or what their rights are under the law. That’s a gap we must address. 

Whether through school outreach programs, interactive seminars, or digital platforms, the legal community in St. Lucia has the opportunity—and responsibility—to make the law less intimidating and more empowering. We should strive to create a generation that sees justice not as something distant or abstract, but as something they can understand, engage with, and even shape.

Diana Thomas’s message remains consistent: legal knowledge should not be a privilege but a shared resource. For the youth of St. Lucia, that message may be the first step toward a more informed and empowered future.

About Diana Thomas

Diana Thomas, a leading attorney in St. Lucia, is a senior partner and co-head of the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Department at Floissac, DuBoulay & Thomas. With over 20 years of legal experience across multiple practice areas, Diana has established herself as an esteemed leader, consistently ranking in Chambers and Partners for her unparalleled expertise.

About Floissac, DuBoulay & ThomasFloissac, DuBoulay, & Thomas is a leading law firm in St. Lucia, celebrated for nearly 60 years of outstanding legal service. The firm blends expertise with a client-centric approach, offering both local legal representation and transnational support. The firm and its senior partners—Brenda Floissac Fleming, Geoffrey Du Boulay, and Diana Thomas—are consistently recognized by Chambers and Partners for their exceptional service.