Sir Trevor Austin Carmichael was born in Barbados and educated at Harrison College and the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. After pursuing post graduate studies in the United States, he was called to the United Kingdom Bar as a member of the Middle Temple in London and the Barbados Bar in December of 1977. As a lawyer, he has been engaged in all facets of the law.  His original practice areas spanned criminal, constitutional, labor, divorce, trademarks and later he has focused on commercial, charities and environmental law. 

He is a member of the International Bar Association, the Inter-American Bar Association and a committee member of the Inter-American Bar Foundation as well as an associate member of the Canadian Bar Association. He holds membership in the International Tax Planning Association, the International Fiscal Association and was one of the parties responsible for establishing a Barbados chapter of the International Fiscal Association of which he is Charter President. He has authored over one hundred articles and monographs in the areas of Law, Economics and Public Policy and is the Founder of Chancery Chambers, a Barbados law firm engaged primarily in international business law, environmental law and the law relating to charities.