Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman

Who Is He?

Varney Sherman was born out of wedlock unto Theresa Jande Sherman on February 16, 1953 in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County. He was later adopted by Hon. R. Fole Sherman and his wife, Yatta Fahnbulleh Sherman. Hon. Sherman, who hails from Bendu, Garwula District, Grand Cape Mount County was former member of the House of Representative and the Liberian Senate.

Varney Sherman has three academic degree ? B.Sc. from Cuttington University College (1975); LL.B. from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia (1980); and LL.M. from Harvard Law School, Harvard University (1982). Recently, for his contributions to humanity and education, especially Cuttington University College, his alma mater awarded him the honorary LL.D. degree. Without compensation, he currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Law at his other alma mater, the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.

Varney Sherman is a corporate and commercial lawyer; in 1989 he founded the law firm of Sherman & Sherman, which is the largest and most prestigious law firm in Liberia. Not only has he represented large corporations in Liberia, he has also represented individual Liberians and large groups of ordinary Liberians. Of the many matters he has handled, his three-year management of the affairs of Citibank, N.A. upon the cessation of its business in Liberia, his representation of the Liberia Agricultural Company against a purchase of that concession by certain Lebanese businessmen in Liberia; his representation of the workers of Bong Mining Company for end-of-service compensations and benefits, and his representation of four international journalists against charges of espionage made by the Taylor Government are worth mentioning. For the last matter, he received a special commendation from the British Government.

In addition to practicing law, without compensation or any other form of economic reward, Varney Sherman has provided public services directed at bringing peace to war-torn Liberia or serving his people. He served as Special Counsel to the Liberian National Transitional Government (LNTG) under the chairmanship of Professor David Kpomakpor; he served as Organizing Chairman of the Second Liberian National Conference to negotiate peace and establish a government in succession to the LNTG; and he currently serves as Special Envoy & General Counsel to the National Transitional Government of Liberia. From 1993 to 1996, he served as President of the Liberian Bar Association, and since 1989 he has been Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Liberia. He also served as member of the Economic and Financial Reform Commission of the Doe Government; member of the Tax Reform Commission of the Taylor Government; and member of the Telecommunications Reform Commission of the Taylor Government.

Varney Sherman is also involved in various social and philanthropic activities in Liberia. Over the years, he has provided scholarships for needy students, including but not limited to university students from his home country, and made substantial financial contributions to and served on the boards of several Liberian universities (Cuttington, UL, AME Zion and AME) and community based organizations, such as the YMCAs of Liberia. He makes regular financial and material contributions to charity, especially organizations involved with victimized women and children, notably, the SHOCAS Women, the ELWUO Orphanage and the Women in Peace-Building Network (WIPNET). He also makes substantial material and financial contributions to religious works, both Christian and Moslem.

Varney Sherman is a founding member of the Liberia Action Party LAP), served as its Legal Counsel, and currently serves as a member of its National Executive Committee. He was a LAP candidate for the Liberian Senate during the 1997 Special Elections; and he is today canvassing to be LAP?s candidate for President of Liberia during the October 2005 elections. Varney Sherman?s involvement in politics, however, began in his student days. He was President of the Sr. Hi-Y in high school, President of the Students? Association in college, Secretary-General of the West African Law Students Association in law school and Deputy Secretary-General of the Federation of Liberian Youths.

Varney Sherman is characterized as the ?neutralist? in the Liberian civil conflict; who lived and worked in Liberia throughout these difficult times, but never engaged in or supported any one who engaged in the destruction of our country, the misrule and the corruption that besieged it.

Varney Sherman is married to former Miss. Joyce Wahzugbalia Dunbar, holder of three academic degrees from universities in Liberia, USA and England in the health profession. They have two sons (Zoeluma and Zuanna), graduates of the University of Maryland at College Park.