The Samoa Law Society has elected Senior Lawyer Alex Su’a as President for the next 12 months.
The election was conducted Friday night during the Society’s Annual General Meeting after a year it had been postponed due to Covid. Su’a has been Acting President for over a year after the Society’s President, Su’a Hellen Wallwork-Lamb was appointed by the FAST Government as Attorney General in 2021.
In an interview with Radio Polynesia, Su’a said much is to be done. “However, the prime and more important one is a more focused and locally relevant professional development plan for our members.
“This is where information sharing, mentoring and capacity building of our members is direly needed. “The COVID19 restrictions prevented our Society from having the usual training and workshop sessions for our members for a few years. This term is ambitiously one that we must ensure that happens.”
Su’a who has been a lawyer since 2005, is also the President of the Samoa Fa’afafine Association and runs his own law firm. Juggling between the Society and SFA is not an easy feat but says he’s all about serving the community and his profession.
“It’s very demanding and challenging because they are all significant roles. It’s survival vs tautua (service) clash of roles. “My firm is my bread and butter while also serving our people. My role for the Law Society and SFA are those of my professional and social community.
“It’s basically about rendering tautua in the least way possible,” said Su’a. Adding that he’s never been involved in the Council of the Law Society until last year.
“I felt it was good timing to serve or tautua. However I have always been involved in its other committees especially its Professional Development Committee. “Personally, whatever happens in the future for me and my pursuit in life.
“I can say, I have been there, I have done that. It was my tautua. “Just like my other learned colleagues have done as well in the past council,” said Su’a.
The newly elected President concluded that being a lawyer was his parent’s dream not his. “My Late parents are Faameia Su’a and Su’a Atonio Lemi Su’a and being a lawyer was their dream, not mine. “I have always wanted to be a flight attendant, and I really do hope I have made them proud,” said Su’a.
Other members of the Council are Vice President is Faimalotumua Mathew Lemisio. Treasurer is Maposua Tanya Toailoa. Secretary is Violina Leilua. Councillors are Mauga Precious Chang, Shirley Malielegaoi and Anne Matalasi while the Ex officio is Madam Attorney General Su’a Hellene Wallwork.
