Maria Asinate Raga was more over the moon as she was admitted to the Bar with 11 new legal practitioners.
A long journey that involved a lot sacrifices and dedication to volumes of assignments and practical training.
From Korovisilou in Serua, Maria was brought up by her grandparents although she spent most of her childhood days in Levuka with her late grandfather who was an inspector at the Levuka Police Station.
Maria attended Marist Convent School in Levuka and later Saint Joseph the Worker Primary. She enrolled at Saint Joseph’s Secondary from 2006 to 2011 and went on to pursue a BA in sociology and psychology at the University of the South Pacific, but wasn’t able to complete her studies after she fell pregnant.
But in 2015 she returned to joined the University of Fiji Law School.
“I have to admit that it took me some time to become a lawyer,” Maria said, adding she took a part-time job at UniFiji as an IT lab assistant.
Juggling work and school, Maria said she was grateful to her husband and two children who have been strong with her all the way through because even though she commenced LLB studies in 2015, she did not graduate until 2022.
“But with this achievement I am the first in my family to become a lawyer and I am thankful mostly for my family’s support and love throughout this her journey.
“I’ve taken every opportunity to learn and to gain knowledge.
“Every opportunity you get, make use of it, and always remember that you have to climb the mountain to get to the valley.
Maria was also a member of Youths for Integrity, an non government organisation advocating against corruption.
She was also chosen as one of the school’s representatives to the first European Union inter-tertiary quiz competition where she was placed second during her third year at the University of Fiji.
She was also a senior legal executive in the Litigation Department with Lal Patel Bale Lawyers at Nadi before her admission to the Bar.
“I am very fortunate to the partners of the firm, Renee Lal, Raina Lal Patel and Amani Bale, for giving me the opportunity to be part of their team and trusting my abilities.
“My advice to aspiring lawyers is to take up internships with law firms and learn as much as you can.
“I believe that you should not take up a profession that you love, but that you should love what you do.”
Maria said her biggest inspiration throughout her career journey was her late maternal grandparents who played a vital role in her upbringing.
“I acknowledge their efforts and appreciate the struggles they go through.
“Honour God and your parents, and when you are in a better place, use your profession to better the lives of others.”
