A BREADTH OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE

Raina Lal-Patel – Managing Partner

Raina has been calling the shots since day one. Eight years ago, she was the driving catalyst that brought Lal Patel Bale Lawyers together.

Raina has 13 years of legal experience, but commenced her career as a Development Executive in New Zealand.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Property from the University of Auckland and a Diploma of Professional Legal Studies from the Institute of Legal Studies in Auckland. Additionally, Raina is admitted to the the bars of Fiji and New Zealand

​With a combined passion for both Law and Property Development, Raina is formidable in the areas of Site Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and Financing of Residential, Commercial, Retail and Integrated Resort Developments, Resort and Project Development, Corporate Structuring and Restructuring, Real Estate and Contractual Negotiations.

Raina’s membership of both the New Zealand and Fijian Bars, means that she is able to bring both local and international perspectives to all aspects of her work.

Raina is based in our Nadi office.

Renee Lal – Litigation Partner

Renee simply put, is one of the best litigators in Fiji. And with over 20 years’ experience as a Practitioner, her skill in the court room is surpassed only by her breadth of legal knowledge. 

​As a member of the University of the South Pacific’s, inaugural graduating Law cohort in 1997, Renee has always been a trailblazer. Graduating with a Bachelor of Laws, and a Diploma in Legal Practice, Renee began her career at a time when very few female Lawyers were in Practice. As a result, she is now one of Fiji’s most senior female Practitioners.

Renee is the backbone of our cross-practice specialization having practiced in the areas of Civil, Commercial and Family Law for the majority of her career.
 
Renee is based in our Suva office.

Amani Bale – Tax Partner

Amani ​has long had a love affair with Tax, having dedicated most of his career to specializing in Tax and Customs issues. Over 25 years, Amani's extensive career has seen him work as a General Practitioner, in the Public Sector, as a Tax Consultant and as an International Legal Advisor to the World Bank. ​ He is an expert in Audit Assessments, Tax Litigation, VAT and PAYE issues, VAT refunds, Capital Gains Tax and Land Sales Tax. 

Amani is Australian qualified having gained a Bachelor of Laws from Bond University and a Masters of Taxation from the University of New South Wales. Amani is admitted to both the bars of Fiji and Queensland, Australia. 

Amani is based in our Labasa office. 

Kya Raina Lal – Associate

Kya represents a growing breed of young Practitioners, striving for efficiency without sacrificing quality. Kya has an eye for legal technicalities, is tech-savy is always looking for innovative legal strategies.

​She graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Masters of Law with First Class Honours and holds a Certificate of Legal Practice from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in Auckland, New Zealand.

Kya practices in the areas of Criminal and General Litigation and holds specializations in International Environmental Law, Maritime Law and Climate Change Law. She also has significant participatory experience with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

​Outside of Legal Practice, Kya is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Law at the University of the South Pacific.

Ita Dolo Sauduadua – Associate

Ita ​is an alumni of the University of the South Pacific, holding a Bachelor of Laws and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice. Ita’s key areas of practice are Family Law and General Litigation with specific expertise in Divorces, Matrimonial Settlements, Custody and Maintenance issues.

​Ita is also extremely experienced in handling Bail issues, Police Interviews and Caution Interviews. She has over a decade of legal experience, having previously worked as a Registrar in the Family Court, before transitioning to Private Practice. 

Akash Aneet Prasad – Associate

Akash graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 2019, with a Bachelor of Laws and and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Fiji in the same year. Akash is an all-rounder able to produce quality documents and attend to litigation matters in the areas of Commercial, Civil and Criminal Law.

Isoa D.W.D Tikoca – Associate

Isoa graduated from the University of Fiji in 2013, with a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. He qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Fiji, the following year. As a seasoned trial Lawyer, Isoa brings a wealth of litigation experience to our team especially in the areas of Civil and Commercial Law. 

Payal Kumar – Associate

Payal graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. And was admitted to Practice in 2020. Payal has significant previous work experience in large scale Litigation, Land Law, Environmental Impact Assessments, Consents and Resource Management. She brings this experience along with a keen interest in Development, Environmental and Commercial Law to our team.

Jessie Tunikula Lagonilakeba – Associate

Jessie graduated from the University of the South Pacific, Emalus, Vanuatu in 2016 with a Bachelor of Laws and Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. She has previously worked as in-house legal Counsel in the tourism sector at an internationally recognised hotel chain. Jessie also brings to our team an expertise in the areas of prosecution and defence. Jessie has a keen interest in Criminal Law, Employment Law, Media and Dispute Resolution.

Lillian Ali-Saigatu – National Practice Manager

Lillian oversees the day to day administration of our three national offices. Having worked in the legal profession for over 15 years, Lillian brings a wealth of administrative experience to our team. She is the forefront of our client liaison team, and ensures each of our branches is up to the Lal Patel Bale standard.

Asena Vole – Practice Manager Central

Asena oversees our national litigation and conveyancing teams. Having 13 years experience in the legal profession, Asena is well versed with all aspects of the job, bringing an unmatched level of  institutional, legal and procedural knowledge.

Asena is based in our Suva office.

Esava Tawalo – Practice Manager North

Esava has over 13 years experience in the legal profession, particularly in the areas of litigation, conveyancing and debt recovery. Esava holds the distinguished title of having worked in all three of our national-offices, as a result he brings a level of connectivity unrivaled within the legal community.

Esava is based in our Labasa office.

Maria Raga – Senior Legal Executive

Maria is an expert in large scale litigation and complex cross-border litigation matters.  She is a documents expert with the ability to craft nuanced legal arguments in legal matters.