HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - LEOTA MAUNU SINAUMEA TAUFAO

LEOTA MAUNU SINAUMEA TAUFAO

LAW FIRM DIRECTOR & LAWYER - WT Compensation Lawyers

SAMOAN 

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My name is Leota Maunu Sinaumea Taufao and I am a Samoan-born Personal Injury Law Firm Director and Lawyer. I come from the villages of Tiavea, Magiagi, Faleasiu and Salamumu and currently live in Brisbane, Australia.

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You are the Director and Lawyer of your own law firm WT Compensation Lawyers - What were the pathways that led you to what you are doing now?

My journey to where I am now was not your conventional one. In fact, after High School, I studied Business, majoring in Sports Management at Griffith University. My goal was to work in the Sporting Industry – the idea was if I was not able to make a professional rugby team, then I work in an industry that would allow me to be around a professional rugby team. However, after completing my business degree and working in the Sporting industry, I quickly came to the realisation that I was not fulfilled and my heart yearned for something else. So, I pivoted!

I returned to Griffith University and studied a Law and Commerce degree and towards the end of my degree, I started a role at a personal injury law firm. It was here that I quickly came to learn of ways that I was able to give back to the Pasifika community. By keeping my community at the heart of what I do, the idea was born to create a law firm that is dedicated to helping our Pasifika people who have been involved in car accidents, work accidents, public accidents and those unable to work due to illness/injury. And at last, WT Compensation Lawyers was created.

When/how did you realise you wanted to pursue a career in Law and also specifically in personal injury after car, work and public accidents?

The defining moment for me was watching my family struggle to pay for a lawyer when we literally had nothing. I had graduated from Business at this time and still we struggled to pay our lawyer. Having to watch my parents do late hours and find alternative ways of making enough money so we could pay our lawyer fees, all while making sure our family of 7 boys had enough food on the table and a roof over our heads. This was the turning point for me. 

By the time I had graduated from law, I was confident and knew that I could really see a future in personal injury law because of the service I could provide to my community. It was also heart breaking to see my community so under-represented in the personal injury space, which was due to a lack of education around their rights and entitlements. The structure of Personal Injury in Queensland with its No Win No Fee principle means all Pasifika communities can exercise their rights without the burden of having to pay thousands of dollars out of their own pocket for a lawyer. This is often a misperception in the community, and I know by educating our people correctly, they too can see the benefit in what this area of law has to offer. 

Your law firm is only one of a handful of Pasifika owned injury law firms in Australia.  Why do you think it's so important to bring a Pasifika perspective to what you do?

The biggest reason behind why we founded WT Compensation Lawyers was to create a firm that would resonate with the Pasifika community. Our community is a proud and strong community! However, we are often mistreated and taken advantage of in the personal injury space. Why? Because there is no representative in the community who is educating our people around this area.

As a Pasifika lawyer, it has always been my passion to support the Pasifika community. By educating our people around this space, they are given more freedom to make informed decisions when they are involved in a motor vehicle, work, or public accidents. 

What have been one of your most challenging and one of your most rewarding moments throughout your career as a lawyer?

The most challenging moment for me as a lawyer is educating our people on their rights and entitlements in personal injury. There are often misperceptions in the community due to other members of the community misconstruing the law with their past experiences. Part of my job right now is to filter out these misperceptions which is often the deterrent for people not wanting to exercise their rights.

On the other hand, the most rewarding moment for me is seeing the reaction from our client’s reactions when we settle their cases. It really hits home when you know the job you do is restoring hope in individuals, families and communities. I am very fortunate to be in the position to help the community is a positive light

How has your upbringing & culture shaped you into the man you are today and has it been challenging holding on to your culture living in Australia?

I grew up in a strict Methodist household and was raised by my grandmother from a young age. My parents were and still remain pastors of a church, so faith and culture play a crucial role in the man I am today. The values I have gained my upbringing have helped build resilience while ensuring I remain humble throughout my journey.

As a Samoan orator chief, the ability to speak and know the intricacies of the Samoan language has proven to be one of the most valuable skills I possess and one that I am grateful to my parents and grandmother for not letting me lose sight of my culture. I feel proud to be able to speak and impart my knowledge to the community in the Samoan language.

You recently came on as a sponsor of the Toa Samoa Rugby League Team - what inspired you to do this?

I have always been inspired to give back to my Samoan community and the Samoa mo Samoa movement was the inspiration behind the Toa Samoa sponsorship. I am a true believer in the proverb “E lele le toloa, ae toe maau lava i le vai”, meaning the Toloa bird will fly but always return to the water. A movement that has been seen across many areas including the rugby league space.

Being a supporter of our sons and daughters returning to pay homage to Samoa, I always wanted to show my support for our Toa Samoa Rugby League Team. It was so inspiring learning of the good work that Pacificast had been doing and continue to do to support the Toa Samoa Rugby League team and the wider community. Collaborating with like-minded businesses who are supporters of the 'Samoa mo Samoa' movement means that win both on and off the field!

What advice would you give to other young Pacific Islanders wanting to pursue a career in law?

My advice for Pacific Islanders pursuing a career in law would be to not lose who you are in the process. The legal industry will often having conflicting values that will impact your moral compass. Stay true to who you are because your identity is what sets you apart in the industry. You are uniquely Pasifika!

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Who or what inspires you?

My family was what inspired me to get into law. However, it is the legal injustice against our Pasifika community that keeps me inspired to keep fighting. My children also inspire me to be a better person! I want to be able to show my children that they can do anything and achieve anything if they have the heart an passion for it. 

What do you love about being a Samoan man today?

Now more than ever, we are seeing Samoans being uplifted in all walks of life. Whether it be in sports, academia, medical, legal, construction, youth justice. Samoans are definitely making a name for themselves. What inspire me the most is returning to pay homage to our homeland which is becoming more and more prevalent in our Pasifika community.

The likes of Toa Samoa and Pacificast paying homage and coming back is testament to the alignment of our professional and cultural values. Now more than ever is a great time to be a Samoan man and witness the greatness of Pasifika success being poured back into the cups of our communities.