Top Papua New Guinean and Australian lawyers are mentoring legal trainees to become confident, informed and empowered through a partnership program between the Legal Training Institute and the Victorian Bar.
The program teams students with experienced legal professionals in Papua New Guinea and Australia who help, support, guide and provide different perspectives on professional legal practice.
Lawyer Oala Moi said being mentored by Victorian barrister Maya Rozner, has grown his professional confidence.
“On an almost weekly basis I appear in the District and National Courts. Maya’s outgoing personality helps to disarm the shyness in me, to raise questions in relation to law and actual legal practice,” he said.
The mentoring program builds on a week-long criminal advocacy workshop with 11 members of the Victorian Bar. For the past three years, the mentoring program was specifically for women law graduates. Based on the positive feedback of the women participants, the mentoring program was opened to all legal trainees this year.
Speaking at the workshop’s closing, Deputy Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa encouraged students to engage with their mentors and to become mentors.
“The greatest gift anyone can give you is their time and I know you too will take that gift into the future to benefit others,” he said.
Australian High Commission Counsellor Gina Wilson said mentoring plays a large role in sharing knowledge, advice and expertise, giving young professionals the confidence and support to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.
“This program encourages professional networks and collaboration, fosters a cohesive and collaborative law and justice sector, and supports Papua New Guinea’s vision of a ‘just, safe and secure society for all,” Ms Wilson said.