Graham Leung Uncomfortable with Numbers, Unskilled Ones

There is something very uncomfortable about our legal profession; maybe we have too many lawyers, and unskilled ones.

These were Attorney-General, Graham Leung’s comments to a room full of lawyers during the Fiji Law Society Convention 2024 at Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa at Wailoaloa on Friday.

Mr Leung had raised many concerns about the performance of lawyers in the legal fraternity, especially the young ones.

“Some have possibly entered the profession because they think it’s glamorous, while some think that it’ll earn them a decent living,” Mr Leung said.

“Others think that the riches and lifestyle of lawyers probably drove them to study law.”

Mr Leung questioned senior lawyers’ roles and responsibilities in encouraging and guiding the younger members.

“Are you fulfilling the guiding visions of the legal profession and preparing the next generation of lawyers to meet the challenges ahead?” Mr Leung asked.

“The senior practitioners have an equal responsibility to guide and mentor and share their experiences with younger lawyers who now statistically outnumber older practitioners.

“You have a responsibility to encourage and guide the younger practitioners, many of whom fall outside the mainstream of the legal pro and who are struggling to find a foot-hole in a highly competitive environment.

“I believe that the established firm also has a compelling moral duty to support the younger practitioners.”

Mr Leung said Fiji was faced with many daunting challenges, and it was important that lawyers sufficiently understood the values of their profession in order to help fight those challenges.

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