The Young Kid at the Registration Desk
The story of a great lawyer.
Lawyers meet many people during their careers. Clients, colleagues, adversaries, judges. But every now and then, someone walks into your life whose professional journey you end up witnessing from the very beginning.
That happened to me in 2007.
At the time, as part of my aviation law practice, I organized an international aviation law conference in Aruba. Lawyers and aviation professionals from around the world attended. Wanting to give back to the next generation, I contacted the University of Aruba and invited law students to participate at no cost. The international delegates would pay; the students would not. The idea was simple: expose young minds to a field of law they might otherwise never encounter.
On the first morning of the conference, I sat behind the registration desk in the hotel lobby to welcome the participants. The first one to show up was a young kid. He greeted me politely and introduced himself as Bryan Coffie.
Looking at him, I immediately assumed he was one of the university students who had accepted the invitation. Frankly, he looked that young.
So I asked him, “Are you with the University of Aruba?”
He smiled slightly and said, “No.”
That caught my attention.
I asked where he worked.
After a brief hesitation, he replied, “National Security.”
I remember looking at him again. He still looked like a student to me. Yet here he was, working in national security and attending an international aviation law conference simply because he found the subject interesting.
I registered him, and the conference continued.
At that moment, I had no idea that the young man standing in front of me would one day become my colleague, my partner, and one of the finest lawyers on this island.
An Unexpected Beginning
Some time after the conference ended, my colleague and friend Geert ep told me he had spoken with Bryan. Bryan had expressed an interest in becoming a lawyer and possibly joining our firm.
I asked Geert one simple question.
“Do you believe he has what it takes?”
Geert said yes.
One condition I said: “Only, if you will be his patroon”. At the time, my hands were full, and guiding a young lawyer properly requires time, attention, and patience.
Geert agreed.
Bryan joined the firm.
And then life did what life often does.
Within about a year, Geert decided to start his own firm. Suddenly, the responsibility for Bryan’s mentorship came back to me. I sometimes joke that Geert left me “stuck” with Bryan.
In truth, it turned out to be a privilege.
Discipline
During the years Bryan worked under my supervision, one thing stood out almost immediately: I could see something in him, as a fighter, but somehow that wasn’t coming out in the law.
Later, I found out that he was a martial artist – by now, he is a multi-dan Aikido Sensei. Anyone who has practiced martial arts seriously understands what that means. Discipline. Structure. Respect. Perseverance. The willingness to keep improving every single day.
During those formative years, my goal was to take that discipline – the discipline of the martial artist – and bring it into the practice of law. The habits, the focus, the preparation, the mindset. In many ways, the life of a serious martial artist and the life of a serious lawyer are not so different.
Both require commitment. Both require structure. Both require the ability to prepare thoroughly, remain calm under pressure, and keep improving long after others would have stopped.
The idea was simple: that Bryan’s discipline as a martial artist would not remain something separate from his professional life, but would become an extension of it.
A lawyer, after all, must also be a kind of warrior.
Not with fists, not with
But with preparation, arguments, and strategy.
Bryan understood that very quickly.
Finding His Field
Over time, Bryan built his practice primarily in employment law, where he has become a formidable litigator. He is structured, analytical, and deeply thoughtful in his approach to legal problems.
I have said it before, and I am happy to repeat it here: in my view, Bryan is the best labor law lawyer we have in Aruba. And I say that having seen – and faced – many.
In addition to his practice, Bryan has been teaching labor law for many years, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of legal professionals.
I sometimes wonder whether his interest in labor law was influenced, at least in part, by the many discussions we had over the years and by my own publications in that field. In 2013, he joined me as editor on the labor law reform book. If that is the case, I can only say the student did exceptionally well.
In fact, from a labor law perspective – and certainly from a litigation perspective – the young grasshopper may very well have (or has) outdone the master.
Service to Justice
Recently, Bryan added another chapter to his professional journey.
He completed the training to serve as plaatsvervangend rechter-commissaris in criminal matters – essentially a deputy examining magistrate who oversees certain parts of criminal investigations, such as authorizing searches, detention measures, and particular investigative techniques. Following the royal decree appointing him to that position, he was formally sworn in before a Governor on March 2nd, 2026.
It was a proud moment.
Bryan continues to dedicate himself fully to his legal practice while also serving the justice system in this important role.
Behind every professional achievement, there are often people quietly providing support. Bryan is fortunate in that respect. His wife, Tania, a criminologist, has been a constant source of encouragement throughout his career. His late father, Ben, who dedicated his life to education, would undoubtedly have been immensely proud of the path his son has taken.
A Village of Lawyers
They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same can sometimes be said about the formation of a lawyer.
During Bryan’s early years in the firm, he was surrounded by colleagues who each brought their own strengths to the table. Andin Bikker, a top litigator and an extraordinary legal thinker. Geert Rep, disciplined, structured, and highly experienced. Milko Baiz, known for his toughness and command of his areas of expertise. Rick Samuels, who also contributed to the professional environment in which Bryan developed.
And we should not forget Andresito Bikker, who is sadly no longer with us but who was also instrumental during those formative years.
So while this is certainly a proud moment for Bryan, it is also a proud moment for many who were part of that journey.
Looking Back
My colleagues and I at Gomez Coffie Law are extremely proud of Bryan’s accomplishments.
Watching him grow from a curious young professional attending a conference out of interest in 2007 into the lawyer, partner, and judicial officer he is today has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
And when I occasionally see him now – sharp, prepared, disciplined, and ready for battle in court (or if I try to surprise him with a chokehold at the office) – I sometimes think back to that morning at the registration desk.
A young man walked up.
He looked like a student.
He turned out to be much more than that.
Thank you for reading. I’ll see you next week.
Visit my blog to find all my posts.
Listen to my Podcasts.
Watch my YouTubeChannel
