By Staff Reporter
For senior lawyers Fuimaono Sefo Ainuu and Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, life is about taking opportunities.
The former Assistant Attorney General and Electoral Commissioner have just completed their third week as private lawyers, having served the public service for more than a decade.
The pair are embracing the new journey that they have embarked on.
“Life is about opportunities,” Faimalomatumua said when Newsline caught up with them at their new Office Headquarters at the Ainuu Law Firm Malifa last week where they have joined Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu in his practice.
“You got to take them (opportunities) while you can.”
Both Fuimaono and Faimalo started off their legal careers with the Office of the Attorney General way back in 2008.
Faimalomatumua then moved on to other opportunities while Fuimaono served four different Attorney Generals before deciding to take a new pathway.
“My passion for public service is still here, but for personal and health reasons, I had to find a new way to serve the public” says Fuimaono who has worked at the Office of the Attorney General for more than a decade.
In that time, he worked primarily for the Civil Litigation and Opinions Division, working on complex civil litigation, legal opinions, government procurement, statutory and Cabinet Committees.
He would also assist the prosecution and legislative drafting division with their work from time to time.
Fuimaono also represented Samoa in high level international meetings and conferences in the International Humanitarian Law and International Law space, and various commercial negotiations for government.
“Working for the Office [of the Attorney General] was my first job out of law school and moving out during a pandemic was difficult and daunting” says Fuimaono as he reflects on his time at the Office and his decision to leave.
“It [moving out] would not be possible if not for the support of my wife and family, my Civil Litigation team, the Office and the Attorney General, Sua Hellene Wallwork.”
“The team I left behind is a young team, but they are capable and ready”
As for his current arrangement with Ainuu Law Firm, Fuimaono says that he is thankful and grateful to Faaolesa for taking him on.
“We are related; this partnership has given me the perfect reason to find out how and to get to know that side of my family”.
But Fuimaono says that he plans to eventually practice on his own account.
“I’ve applied to the Law Society to practice on my own account, and I am awaiting their decision.”
He says that if his application is approved, he intends to practice from Malifa and share the office space with the Ainuu Law Firm.
“Faaolesa has a wealth of experience, having practiced in Hawaii, American Samoa, and he used to have his own law firm before becoming a Member of Parliament.
“ I want my experience and expertise to be accessible to him and vice versa” says Fuimaono who considers remaining at Malifa to be a common-sense arrangement.
Faimalomatumua on the other hand left the Office of the AG for personal reasons.
“My passion has always been Court work,” the former prosecutor said.
“I enjoy doing Court work but there are times when you have to put your career on the backburner for the sake of your family.”
He accepted a job at the Electric Power Corporation with a higher pay and his legal experience expanded beyond the realms of criminal law.
“I got to deal with contract law, procurement, environmental compliance. At the same time, you’re also exposed to experiencing leadership. “
That leadership experience prepared him for his next role at the Office of the Electoral Commission, first as an Assistant Electoral Commissioner and subsequently the Electoral Commissioner.
“i thoroughly enjoyed that part of my journey,” Faimalomatumua said, ” learned a lot but as I said life is about taking opportunities.
“Had an opportunity at the Lands and Titles and Court. I took it. Enjoyed that part of the journey and learned so much from that too.
In saying that, Faimalomatumua said Court work remains his passion.
“Legal work varies from soliciting to appearing in Court to present a case before a panel of Judges to assist them in adjudicating legal matters. That excites me about this move. And to do it alongside Fuimaono is a bonus.
Both Fuimaono and Faimalo started their journies to becoming lawyers back in 2005 when they went to law school together.
Ironically enough, they both ended their careers as public servants on the same day when they both resigned as public servants.
“Funny how these things happen. But we must know that we are journeying on pathways that’s already being written. It’s just up to us now how we get to that destination,” Faimalomatumua concluded.