THERE are new law firms being established by lawyers bearly out of law school, according to Attorney-General Graham Leung.
Mr Leung told the opening of the Fiji Law Society annual convention in Nadi yesterday he believed the uncomfortable truth was that there were too many lawyers, and too many unskilled ones.
He said some lawyers had probably entered the profession because “they think it is glamorous and will earn them a decent living and that it is a quick path to riches and a grand lifestyle”.
“These reflections take on even greater significance, particularly when we consider the shifts that have occurred in our profession over the years,” he said.
While reflecting on the role of senior lawyers, he challenged them to see whether they were truly fulfilling the guiding vision of their profession.
“Are you ensuring that you uphold the values that define lawyers and are you preparing the next generation of lawyers to meet the challenges ahead?
“Your society, particularly the senior practitioners, has a responsibility to guide and mentor the younger lawyers.”
Mr Leung said established firms also had a moral duty to support younger lawyers.
“You also have a responsibility to encourage and guide younger lawyers, many of whom fall outside the mainstream of the legal profession, and who are struggling to find a foothold in a highly competitive environment.”
