Son obeys father's wishes to become a lawyer

For 29-year-old Aporosa Dulaki, becoming a lawyer was never his dream, it was his father’s.

Out of respect and duty as a son, Mr Dulaki took on the challenge and has now achieved a milestone in the legal profession.

Originally from Savusavu, he had always imagined himself as a teacher.

“I wanted to be a teacher, but my father wanted me to do law. Being the son that I am, I listened to him,” Mr Dulaki said.

He began his legal studies in 2015 but was forced to pause for three years due to financial struggles.

To support himself, he worked as an activity attendant at Denarau Island before resuming his studies.

This year, he graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP) and has taken his oath, officially entering the profession.

One of his biggest challenges came when his scholarship was terminated, making tuition and accommodation difficult. During those times, he leaned on relatives in Suva and his sister, a teacher in Cambodia.

“I couldn’t have done this without my family. They’ve all been my backbone, especially my father, who encouraged me to keep going,” he said.

Now determined to build his career in criminal law, Mr Dulaki said he is passionate about ensuring people get the justice they deserve.

“I want to be a defence lawyer and represent those who can’t always represent themselves,” he said.

Looking ahead, he said the achievement belongs not only to him but also to his family, especially his father, whose wish set him on the path to becoming a lawyer.