— Visually Impaired Public Defender Rejects “Underdog” Label
By: Shallon S. Gonlor | shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — The newly appointed Public Defender assigned to the Gompa City Magisterial Court in Nimba County, Attorney-At-Law Joshua B. Shadrack, has pushed back against narratives that frame his visual impairment as a limitation to practicing law.
On Monday, May 11, 2026, Atty. Shadrack appeared alongside his colleagues for the formal opening ceremony of the May Term of Court 2026 at the 8th Judicial Circuit in Sanniquellie. Speaking to reporters shortly after the ceremony, he declared: “The law is not practiced with the eyes, but with the mind.”
He noted that legal analysis, advocacy, and ethics are intellectual and professional disciplines. He argued further that physically, he is blind, but mentally, intellectually, and professionally, he is fully equipped and educated in law and courtroom practice like any other lawyer.
In late March 2026, Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. appointed Attorney Shadrack as Public Defender of Nimba County—marking a historic milestone for Liberia’s only trained visually impaired lawyer currently practicing. The appointment places him at the forefront of legal representation for indigent clients in Nimba County.
Atty. Shadrack brings two years of active courtroom practice to the Public Defender’s office. He is a graduate of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia. As Public Defender, he will oversee cases for defendants who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer, ensuring that constitutional guarantees of legal representation stand upheld.
According to him, his record in court speaks for itself. “I am here to do the work. Judge me by the briefs I file and the arguments I make,” he said. Atty. Shadrack, who is visually impaired, noted that he sees no difference between himself and sighted colleagues. He stressed that he is well prepared for courtroom proceedings. Outlining his approach, he explained that he uses a laptop and a document scanner to convert hard-copy case files into digital format.
“Mostly I use soft copy as a visually impaired person to get a broader idea of what is contained within a document,” he said. “That is one of the strategies I have used to win cases over the years.” Atty. Shadrack expressed confidence that there is no meaningful difference between legal practitioners once an individual attends law school, learns the law, and enters practice.
He cited his strong performance as a private lawyer at the Gardnersville Magisterial Court, where he won major cases for his clients—something he said greatly impressed the Chief Justice and led to his appointment as one of Liberia’s Public Defenders.
“Lawyering comes with experience. I have been practicing for two years, and I am abreast with lawyering,” he said.
He attributed his courtroom confidence to extensive legal research. “All of the laws are in my laptop. When I need the Civil Procedure Law, Criminal Procedure Law, or the Penal Code, I go right into my laptop and get the law to support my argument in a proceeding.”
Atty. Shadrack officially resumed office on April 1, 2026, at the Gompa City Magisterial Court. He acknowledged that some indigent clients were initially hesitant due to his visual impairment.
“It’s obvious. To see somebody of this caliber say he is a Public Defense Counsel is not normal in our country, Liberia,” he said. He added that clients initially approached him with skepticism, but after observing his courtroom performance, he eventually earned their confidence, praise, and admiration.
Atty. Shadrack has maintained that his focus remains on client advocacy, procedural rigor, and fair trial standards. He concluded by encouraging Nimba County residents to have confidence in him and support him despite his visual impairment. He urged them to remember that law is about knowledge and intellectual discourse—not physical ability.
