From cop to lawyer: Jaynesh Kumar shares his story of sacrifice

In 2022, while Fiji went through the election period, Labasa police officer Jaynesh Kumar juggled 12-hour night shifts with daytime exams — a grueling schedule that tested his resolve but never broke his spirit.

On Friday, his perseverance paid off when he was among 45 new legal practitioners admitted to the Bar at a ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH) in Suva.

Mr Kumar said the milestone was not only his personal achievement but the fulfilment of a dream that began with his mother.
“This was my mother’s dream,” Mr Kumar said.
“She works as a law clerk at Kohli and Singh Law Firm in Labasa. I used to visit her office since preschool. Watching her working hard made me want to become a lawyer one day.”

Coming from a humble background without a scholarship, Mr Kumar had to balance work and study throughout his academic journey.
“I worked at night and sat for my exams during the day. I studied whenever I got the chance, even while working,” he said.

The journey, he admitted, was tough, but he never gave up.
“I want to thank my parents and brother for always supporting me. They stood by me even when times were tough,” he said.

Now a qualified lawyer, Mr Kumar plans to begin practice as a general practitioner, with a long-term goal of establishing his own law firm.
“I want to help people who cannot afford a lawyer. I also want to make a difference in the legal system,” he said.

For Mr Kumar, his admission to the Bar is more than a career milestone, it is a promise fulfilled for his mother and family, and the start of a new chapter in law.