Fiona Ey of Clarke Ey Koria Lawyers was elected the new President of the Samoa Law Society, succeeding Alex Sua, following the Society’s recent Annual General Meeting held on 30 May 2025 at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom in Apia.

Ey brings over 23 years of legal experience to the role, was elected alongside a new council that includes Vice President Ann Matalasi-Fata, Treasurer Sine Lafaialii Koria, Secretary Ta’elegaifetū Violina Tailua Leilua, and council members Diana Roma, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, Lagafuaina Tavita, and Attorney General Su’a Hellene Wallwork-Lamb.

“It is a great honour to be elected President of the Samoa Law Society,” Ey said. “I extend my sincere fa’afetai tele and fa’amalo to Alex Sua and his team for their longstanding commitment and tireless service," she said.

“As we move forward, our Council will focus on strengthening continuing legal education, supporting younger members of the profession, and bolstering public confidence in our profession. Upholding professional ethics and enhancing access to justice will be at the heart of our work.”

Ey stressed the need to support younger lawyers. 

“The profession has grown in the last decade. We have a lot of younger members who are keen to engage in the workforce society and kind of engender a sense of belonging in our profession and pride in our profession.

“One of the projects that we want to look at is a mentoring scheme that I'd like to pilot this year... We're also going to be having a planning session coming up for our council to bring together the views of the different members of the council and look at how we can implement these priorities.

“We've got a lot of very creative thinkers in the council to bring those ideas together."

Ey acknowledged the Society’s resource constraints, noting that it operates entirely through volunteers and relies solely on annual membership and practice certificate fees.

“Like any NGO in Samoa, funding is always an issue. Our only funding is through members' membership fees that they pay each year through their practice and certificate fees. It's those funds that we then use to provide the services to our members," she said.

Ey said the Society was active during the last general election and stands ready to do so again if needed.

"At this stage, it's business as usual. We're mindful that the court schedule will need to change, and we’re gearing up for that.”

The Samoa Law Society currently has 192 members. Ey also serves on the global board and Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and is co-chair of its Climate Justice Committee.