Laurel Vaurasi
Qualifications:
1996: Bachelor of Law (Bond University in Queensland, Australia)
1996: Admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland.
1997: Masters of Law (Queensland University of Technology).
1998: Admitted to the High Court of Fiji.
2017: Professional Diploma in Legislative Drafting (USP, Fiji)
2018: Accredited Mediator by the Singapore Mediation Centre and Fiji Mediation Office.
Pronouns: she/her
Work Experience
Laurel Vaurasi is the Principal and Founder of Shekinah Law. Laurel’s work experience commenced at the Native Land Trust Board as a law clerk before her studies then work experience at the Crown office in Queensland in 1996, and also in the private sector in New South Wales, in 1997. In 1998 Laurel moved back to Fiji and joined a private practice focusing on Conveyancing and Litigation Matters until 2002. She joined as an in house counsel for the Carpenters Fiji Ltd group attending predominantly to their finance and employment matters. Later in 2003 Laurel joined a private firm and became a partner. Laurel worked on a number of big investment development work in Fiji, as well commercial work. In 2007 she headed the Legal Department for the Superannuation Fund in Fiji based at the Suva office before opening Shekinah Law. Laurel set up Shekinah Law in 2009. Laurel has over 15 years of civil litigation, family law, commercial law, conveyancing, contract law, torts and criminal litigation experience. Laurel is also an accredited Mediator by the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Laurel is the first female President of the Fiji Law Society, a position she held for four years bringing about much needed changes and growth for the Society with her Council members. Laurel is also a member of a number of Boards in Fiji and the Legal Advisor for Scripture Union, Fiji. Laurel is married to Samson and enjoys raising their two sons and two daughters. Apart from work and family, Laurel also enjoys reading, travelling and swimming.
Email: vaurasi_l@shekinahlaw.com.fj
Seruwaia Nayacalevu
Qualifications:
2008: Bachelor of Law (University of the South Pacific(“USP”)-Emalus Campus).
2009: Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (USP, School of Law, Fiji ).
August 2009: Admitted to the High Court of Fiji.
2017: Professional Diploma in Legislative Drafting (USP, School of Law, Fiji )
2018: Masters of Law (Emory University, School of Law, ATL, GA, USA)
Pronouns: she/her
Work Experience:
Seruwaia Nayacalevu started with Shekinah Law in September 2011 and is the Senior Associate. She is also team leader litigation and handles matters in Family Law (relating to Adoption, Maintenance, Residence & Access, matrimonial Property distribution, child Recovery, etc)), Estate litigation, land law litigation, Local government prosecution, criminal defense, tort law and other civil litigation matters.
Seruwaia has had work experience at private law firms, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and at Government where she commenced her legal career, in Legislative Drafting, prior to joining Shekinah Law. In 2016, she was one of the two lawyers from the Pacific region to be awarded the Ross Ray Scholarship given by the South Pacific Lawyers Association to undertake the Advocacy Course offered by the Australian Law Society, which she completed competently. Seruwaia was also one of the pioneer young lawyers for the Kingdom International Legal Network Lawyers Exchange Program from Shekinah Law to Corney & Lind Lawyers, a Christian Law Firm in Brisbane, Australia. She is also a Council member of the Fiji Law Society and most recently was instrumental in the re-organizing of the Fiji Young Lawyers Association.
Seruwaia is a Fulbright Scholar, having being awarded with a Fulbright Scholarship and an Emory Law Scholarship in 2017 to pursue her Masters in Law. She graduated with her Masters in Law with Honors in May 2018. As part of something that she enjoys, Seruwaia is also a sessional Consultant Lecturer at the University of the South Pacific undergraduate law program. She started off tutoring students in first and second year law in 2014, before tutoring 3rd and final year law students, before taking up the position of sessional consultant lecturer. Even with her work and teaching load Seruwaia cherishes time spent with her loved ones and partnering with her husband for interdenominational youth ministry work particularly for Pacific Students for Christ Ministry.
Email: nayacalevu_s@shekinahlaw.com.fj
Varea Seduadua
Qualifications:
2017: Bachelor of Law (University of the South Pacific(“USP”)-Emalus Campus).
2017: Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (USP, School of Law, Fiji ).
August 2017: Admitted to the High Court of Fiji.
Pronouns: he/him
Work Experience:
Varea Feskatoa Seduadua started with Shekinah Law in 2018 and is the Associate Lawyer. Varea graduated from the University of the South Pacific in September 2017. He was admitted to the bar on 21 February, 2018. Prior to joining Shekinah Law in August, 2018, Varea was an attachee at the Legal Aid Commission for six months. Varea continues to grow remarkably in the litigation Team and appears for matters from the Magistrates Court to the Court of Appeal level. Varea’s apt legal skills and knowledge continue to improve with every passing month and he is very dedicated to tasks and filed that are allocated to him.
Varea is the Interim Vice Chairperson of the Fiji Young Lawyers Association. When he is amongst his loved ones and friends, Varea loves to cook and play a variety of sports.
Email: litigationlawyer@shekinahlaw.com.fj
Arieta Leweni
Qualifications:
2002: Bachelor of Arts: Majors in Tourism, Management and Public Administration (University of the South Pacific(“USP”)-Emalus Campus).
2019: Bachelor of Law (USP, School of Law, Fiji ).
2020: Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (USP, School of Law, Fiji ).
February 2020: Admitted to the High Court of Fiji.
Pronouns: she/her
Work Experience:
Arieta Leweni is an Associate with Shekinah Law. Arieta graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 2019 from the University of the South Pacific and in 2020 she was awarded her Professional Diploma in Legal Practice from the same University. She was admitted to the High Court of Fiji in February, 2020. Prior to this, Arieta had worked in the Civil Service and private sector in Fiji. Arieta has about 15 years experience in Banking work. Arieta started her Internship with Shekinah Law in July 2020, before she was given her current position in October, 2020.
Prior to joining Shekinah Law, Arieta did some internship work with Naivalu Law in Lautoka. Arieta has great organizational skills, succinct in her drafting work and an eye for detail. She is a valued part of the Commercial, Conveyancing and Probate Team in Shekinah Law. Arieta has also had the opportunity to appear for litigation matters in the Magistrates Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. Arieta is married with children and when she is not fully engrossed in her work, she enjoys spending time with her family and loved ones, reading and playing sports.
Email: commerciallawyer1@shekinahlaw.com.fj
Support Staffs
ANJU LAL
FINANCE & HR OFFICER
Email: financeadministration1@shekinahlaw.com.fj
SEVANAIA TABUAKARA
SENIOR CLERK
Email: tabuakara_s@shekinahlaw.com.fj