Kia Island woman becomes first lawyer in family

Dilaisa Diana, 28, from the remote Kia Island in Macuata became the first lawyer in her family after being admitted to the Bar at the High Court in Suva today.

She was supported largely by her sister’s income during her studies.

Ms Diana, who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Fiji National University (FNU), said her parents were unemployed throughout her studies, leaving her older sister — the family’s sole breadwinner — to shoulder much of the financial burden.

“I faced financial difficulties, but I thank TSLS for giving me sponsorship throughout the years,” she said.

The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) is a Government body that funds higher education for Fijian students who cannot afford university fees.

Ms Diana, now a legal officer at Karunaratne Lawyers in Suva, said she is the middle child among five siblings and dedicated her admission to her parents and Fiji National University staff who mentored her over the years.

Her advice to law students still working through their studies was simple: “Work smart. It will be a little tough during law school, but if I can do it, you can do it.”

Ms Diana was among 19 new legal practitioners sworn in today, most of them graduates of the Fiji National University.