Professor Shaista Shameem, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Justice Devendra Pathik School of Law at the University of Fiji, has strongly criticized Attorney General Graham Leung’s recent comments labeling local law schools as producing graduates in “assembly line fashion.” She described the remarks as not only inaccurate but also derogatory to budding lawyers.
In her assessment of the Attorney General’s speech at the Fiji Law Society Convention, Professor Shameem found the comments overly simplistic and lacking in depth, particularly regarding the current state of Fiji’s legal profession. She emphasized that the University of Fiji has intentionally developed a boutique law school model with a limited number of high-achieving graduates each year.
Highlighting the success of her graduates, Professor Shameem proudly noted that all of them secure employment following admission to the legal profession. She urged government officials to conduct thorough research before making broad statements that may misrepresent the quality and performance of law schools.
Professor Shameem also expressed her disappointment with the Attorney General’s earlier suggestion that senior lawyers need to step up in mentoring young graduates due to perceived shortcomings in their skills. She argued that there is a shortage of exemplary senior lawyers in Fiji, creating a difficult environment for newer lawyers eager to learn and contribute.
She characterized some senior lawyers’ behavior as arrogant and unprofessional, negatively affecting the culture within the legal field. Additionally, she pointed out a troubling trend of politicization within the profession and a lack of respect for judicial practices.
Core courses at the JDP School of Law focus on ethics and the importance of serving the public, values that students reportedly embrace well, according to industry feedback. However, Professor Shameem lamented that some law firms prioritize profit over public service, which ultimately compromises the training and ethical standards of young interns.
To guide her graduates, she often has to advise them on which legal organizations to pursue and which to avoid. She underscored the profound honor associated with a legal career but acknowledged that several challenges, particularly concerning leadership, hinder achieving this vision.
In a hopeful message, she encouraged the Attorney General to champion the cause and serve as a role model for young lawyers, laying the groundwork for a more respectful and nurturing legal environment.
This situation presents an opportunity for reform within Fiji’s legal community, fostering a generation of motivated and ethically grounded legal professionals dedicated to serving the public good.
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