Elizabeth Tagi
Noumea ,New Caledonia
Summary
Articulate Legal Officer with over seven (7) years of experience working in the private sector, government and intergovernmental organisations, specialising in civil law, international law and relations, international administrative law, employee relations, contracts, funding arrangements and procurement. Committed to modern law practices and creative problem-solving with first-rate communication skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Officer (Higher Duties)
The Pacific Community
03.2023 - Current
- Provide specialised legal advice, both written and oral; and handle a wide range of highly complex, and often sensitive and/or conflicting legal issues involving issues relating to international law, international administrative law and the relationship between international and domestic law as it impacts SPC's operations.
- Prepare memoranda and other legal documents.
- Perform extensive legal research and analysis and prepare legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence.
- Provide legal advice to all corporate teams and SPC divisions.
- Prepare and review legal documents, instruments, contracts, templates or other material.
- Contribute to and lead components of the review, design and writing updated SPC governance documents, policies and guidelines.
- Build strong collaborative relationships internally throughout SPC and with external stakeholders.
- Provide outreach, education and training and raise awareness of SPC's governance framework, legal obligations and responsibilities to SPC staff and members.
Legal Officer
The Pacific Community
07.2022 - Current
- Drafte and review procurement, grants and other contracts, as well as letters of agreement, memorandums of understanding and templates to protect SPC and minimise risk while adhering to the principles of international administrative law and taking into account the domestic law as it impacts SPC's operations.
- Provide legal advice to divisions on legal issues that arise in the preparation of the contracts.
- Build strong collaborative relationships internally throughout SPC and with external stakeholders.
- Contribute to governance and corporate services improvements, especially procurement and grant reforms.
- Provide outreach, education and training and raise awareness of SPC's governance framework, legal obligations and responsibilities to SPC staff.
- Other duties as required.
Legal Associate
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Review the Secretariat's corporate legal documents.
- Liaise with staff on the development of consultancy agreements, funding agreements, memorandum of understanding and other legal documents.
- Maintain a collection of legal templates for consultancy agreements, funding agreements, memorandum of understanding and other legal documents.
- Maintain registers of legal documents including consultancy agreements, funding agreements and vendor contracts.
- Provide advice on the Secretariat's internal policies and procedures.
- Respond to requests to provide advice on compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- Provide other related legal assistance as may be required by the Corporate Lawyer/Director Operations.
Senior Associate
Fa'afiti Lo Tam Law Firm
04.2021 - 10.2021
- Lead, undertake and manage all criminal and civil matters in order to foster and ensure the highest quality assurance, and ethical standards of all legal services consistent with the Firm's mission and vision.
- Conduct and provide senior level legal advice to clients.
- Appear and represent clients of the Firm in local courts or foreign courts (where required and permitted).
- Lead, undertake, prepare and manage all client negotiations and meetings as instructed by the client or advised to the client.
- Manage, supervise and prepare (where necessary) quality legal services, including timely dissemination of the legal services.
- Advance and execute the Firm's Management Plan in support of the Firm's mission and vision.
- Mentor and provide legal training and support to lawyers within the Firm and as directed by the Samoa Law Society or the Firm's client in relation to matters dealing with criminal and civil law.
- Advise senior management of the Firm on the progress of work through weekly written reports provided to the senior management prior to weekly practice meetings.
- Provide innovative strategic policy advice and solutions on all work matters relating to the Firm in reinforcing the Firm's mission and vision.
- Identify and develop guidelines, manuals, policies and protocols to deal with particular issues concerning criminal and civil law.
- Determine and develop appropriate systems to manage, monitor and collate operations of the Firm.
- Provide support to the Manager of Operations.
Principal State Solicitor
Office Of The Attorney General
05.2018 - 08.2020
- Provide principal level of legal advice and representation to the clients of the Office of the Attorney General ("OAG").
- Assist and participate in the management of the Office at the highest level and in the place of the Assistant Attorney General or Attorney General as required.
- Participate in negotiations relating to any contract agreements, credit facilities, funding agreements, international agreements and undertaking required of the Government of the Independent State of Samoa ("GoS").
- Participate in review of international legal documents affecting the GoS.
- Participate in international negotiations on behalf of the OAG.
- Provide training and mentoring for less experienced lawyers and staff members of the OAG.
- Prepare legal advices, draft legal contracts and manage client portfolios.
- Assist in the development of systems and procedures which improve delivery of legal services by the Division and the Office.
- Liaise with other stakeholders in the law and justice sector to support the achievement of the Law and Justice Sector Plan goals.
- Represent the OAG at the national Government Committees and Boards, as well as at the international level.
- Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as required by the Attorney or Assistant Attorney General, including representing the OAG at the national , regional and international level.
- Contribute to creating an environment where lawyers are able to reach their full potential and fully develop in all areas.
- Supervise lawyers and take up the position of Acting Team Leader in the absence of the Assistant Attorney General.
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Office Of The Attorney General
07.2019 - 08.2019
- Lead, undertake and manage all international law and commercial law matters within the OAG in order to foster quality assurance and ethical standards of all services and to ensure the provision and presentation of well prepared, accurate and practical contract, commercial documents, and international agreements in all commercial and international law dealings of the GoS.
- Lead, undertake, prepare and manage all international negotiations and meetings on behalf of the GoS as instructed by the Attorney General to ensure accurate and high-quality legal advice is available for Government representatives.
- Oversee the accurate and timely dissemination of the preparation and review of all contractual documents and other legal briefs as required by Government ministries and public bodies.
- Liaise with all Government ministries, courts, public bodies and other stakeholders in identifying areas requiring improvement in the delivery of Government legal services at the direction of the Attorney General.
- Develop and implement the Division's Strategic Management Plan and Capability Plan in support of the OAG's Strategic Policy directions.
- Monitor and provide legal training and support to lawyers within the Division and other Government ministries and public bodies in relation to international law and relations, commercial and procurement matters.
- Advise the Attorney General on the management of the Division's development work and progress through verbal and written reports.
- Provide strategic policy advice on all international law and commercial matters.
- Identify critical concerns for policy development and strategic advice focusing on the preparation of guidelines, policies and protocols in particular on issues concerning international law and commercial matters.
- Identify service delivery requirements and appropriate delivery methods to implement, monitor and evaluate systems of operations for all international and commercial law services.
- Manage the allocation and be accountable for all physical resources of the Division.
- Identify priority budget requirements for the Division's annual submission of performance measures and budget provisions and manage the Division's finances in line with prevailing policies and mandates.
- Provide support to other Divisions in the Office when directed by the Attorney General.
Senior State Solicitor
Office Of The Attorney General
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Provide a senior level of legal advice and representation to the clients of the OAG.
- Assist and participate in negotiations relating to any contract agreements, credit facilities, funding agreements, international law documents and undertakings required of the GoS.
- Assist in providing quality opinions on and reviews of draft international documents, including conventions, treaties, bilateral and multilateral agreements, etc.
- Assist in providing trainings and mentoring for less experienced lawyers and staff members of the OAG.
- Assist in the development of systems and procedures which improve the delivery of legal services by the Division and the Office.
- Liaise with other stakeholders in the law and justice sector to support the achievement of the Law and Justice Sector Plan goals.
- Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as required by the Attorney General or Assistant Attorney General, including representing the OAG at the national, regional and international level.
- Contribute to creating an environment where lawyers are able to reach their full potential and fully develop in all areas.
State Solicitor
Office Of The Attorney General
08.2016 - 01.2018
- Provide legal research as requested by the Attorney General or Assistant Attorney General.
- Provide legal advice and representation as requested from the Assistant Attorney General.
- Assist in providing quality opinions on and reviews of draft international documents including conventions, treaties, bilateral and multilateral agreements etc.
- Prepare and reviewing contract and other agreements and participate in Government tender evaluations as the representative of the Attorney General.
- Assist and participate fully in all the work of the Division and all team efforts to finalise and produce work allocated to the Division.
- Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as required by the Attorney General or Assistant Attorney General, including any corporate or administrative task.
- Contribute to creating an environment where lawyers are able to reach their full potential and fully develop in all areas.
Law Clerk
Office Of The Attorney General
03.2016 - 08.2016
- Provide legal or other research as requested by the Division leader or other senior lawyers.
- Provide legal advice and representation as requested from the Division leader or other senior lawyers.
- Assist and participate fully in all the work of the Division and all team efforts to finalise and produce work allocated to the Division.
- Undertake such other tasks and responsibilities as required by the Attorney General or Division leader, including any corporate or administrative work.
- Contribute to creating an environment where lawyers are able to reach their full potential and fully develop in all areas.
Marketing Assistant
University Of The South Pacific
02.2010 - 12.2010
- Liaise with University stakeholders on the University Marketing Plans and collaborating in creating materials to effectively market the University.
- Coordinate all University events - Open Days, Orientation Weeks, Faculty public forums, etc.
- Prepare and draft all University news articles for the University website, newspapers and monthly newsletters.
Project Office Assistant
University Of The South Pacific
09.2009 - 02.2010
- Organise the administrative needs of the Project Office.
- Liaise and collaborate with the University Council members, Executive Management, Student Bodies, Staff Unions and other stakeholders on the work of the Project.
- Coordinate and organise meetings with all relevant stakeholders.
- Perform clerical and administrative duties of the Project.
Senior Student Assistant
University Of The South Pacific
07.2005 - 09.2008
- Supervise the effective management of the Student Services Front Office and Call Centre.
- Train and mentor student assistants.
- Attend to student queries at the Student Services Centre and provide advice as per University policies and guidelines.
- Update and log queries into the University's liberum database and answer to students' email queries and/or forwarding to appropriate University department(s) for action.
- Supervise and review job descriptions of University staff working for the Facilities and Maintenance Division of the University.
- Implement "Stock Take" database for the Facilities and Maintenance Division of the University and trainings of the relevant University staff.
- Supervise and assess job description of senior supervisors of the Facilities and Maintenance Division of the University.
Education
Professional Diploma: Legislative Drafting -
University of The South Pacific
Suva, Fiji11.2016
Professional Diploma: Legal Practice -
University of The South Pacific
Suva, Fiji12.2015
Bachelor of Laws -
University of The South Pacific
Suva, Fiji12.2014
Bachelor of Arts: Politics -
University of The South Pacific
Suva, Fiji11.2010
Skills
- Contracts
- Procurement
- International law and relations
- Negotiations
- Analytical and research skills
- Attention to detail
- Written communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
Accomplishments
2018 - 2019
Pacific Games 2019
Organising Committee - Legal Adviser
Apia, Samoa
2016 - 2018
Virgin Samoa Joint Venture
Government of Samoa Committee - Legal Adviser
Apia, Samoa
September 2017 - December 2017
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights SIDS/LDCs Fellow
Geneva, Switzerland
2016 - 2020
Samoa Parliamentary Complex Redevelopment Project
Project Steering Committee - Legal Adviser
Apia, Samoa
December 2016
Office of the Attorney General Civil Solicitor of the Year
Apia, Samoa
Trainings
- Fiji Attorney General's Annual Conference - Office of the Attorney General, Nadi, Fiji, December 2022.
- Company -Community Mediation Training - Independent Redress Mechanism of the Green Climate Fund, Online, November 2022.
- Fiji Attorney General's Annual Conference - Office of the Attorney General, Nadi, Fiji, December 2021.
- Procurement and International Law - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Apia, Samoa, November 2021.
- National Trade Arrangements Workshop - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Apia, Samoa, August 2020.
- SIDs/LDCs Trust Fund Workshop for the Pacific Region - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nadi, Fiji, November 2019.
- Cloud Connect Transform - Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Apia, Samoa, November 2019.
- Pacific Islands Law Officer Network (PILON) Annual General Meeting - PILON, Apia, Samoa, November 2019.
- Government of Samoa Procurement Trainers Workshop - Ministry of Finance, Apia, Samoa September 2019.
- PILON Sexual and Gender Based Violence Working Group Workshop - PILON, Apia, Samoa, March 2019.
- Interregional Preparatory Meeting for the Mid-Term Review of the Samoa Pathway - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Apia, Samoa, October 2018.
- Council of Europe Cybercrime Workshop - Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Apia, Samoa, July 2018.
- Legal Policy Development Training - Australian Government Pacific Police Development Program, April 2018.
- SIDs/LDCs Trust Fund Fellowship Programme - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, September - December 2017.
- Samoa Portfolio Review - World Bank, Apia, Samoa, May 2017.
- TRIP and Samoa Workshop (its obligations and notifications requirements - World Bank, Apia, Samoa, January 2017.
- Samoa CEDAW 6th Periodic Report State Consultation Workshop - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Apia, Samoa, October 2016.
- PILON Litigation and Civil Procedure Skills Training - PILON, Apia, Samoa, September 2016.
- National Gender and Humanitarian Workshop - UN Women, Apia, Samoa, September 2016.
- World Bank/ADB Donor Funded Project Workshop - World Bank and ADB, Apia, Samoa, August 2016.
- Government of Samoa High Level Road Safety Assessment Workshop - Ministry Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Apia, Samoa, May 2016.
- Sexual and Gender Based Violence Working Group Meeting - Ministry of Women, Culture and Social Development, Apia, Samoa, April 2016.
Certificates
- Certificate of Completion - Company - Community Mediation Training conducted by the Independent Redress Mechanism of the Green Climate Fund.
- Certificate in International Law - delivered by Centre for International Law, Singapore.
- Government of Samoa Certified Procurement Trainer - delivered by Charles Kendall Australia.
- Legal Policy Development - delivered by Australian Government Pacific Police Development Program.
- LDCs/SIDs Fellowship Programme on the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms - delivered by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
- World Trade Organisation E-Courses - delivered by the World Trade Organisation.
Referees
Nehla Basawaiya
Corporate Lawyer
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Suva, Fiji
+679 3312600
nehlab@forumsec.org
Lemalu Hermann P Retzlaff
Public Defender
Ministry of Justice Tahu o te Ture
Auckland, New Zealand
+64 9 838 9939
Hermann.Retzlaff@pds.govt.nz
Constance Tafua Rivers-Lesa
Assistant Chief Executive Officer - Legal
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Apia, Samoa
+685 21171
constance@mfat.gov.ws
Georgia Ramsay
Former Principal Legal Officer/Partnerships and Strategy Adviser
The Pacific Community
Noumea, New Caledonia
ramsag77@gmail.com
Timeline
Legal Officer (Higher Duties)
The Pacific Community
03.2023 - Current
Legal Officer
The Pacific Community
07.2022 - Current
Legal Associate
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
10.2021 - 06.2022
Senior Associate
Fa'afiti Lo Tam Law Firm
04.2021 - 10.2021
Acting Assistant Attorney General
Office Of The Attorney General
07.2019 - 08.2019
Principal State Solicitor
Office Of The Attorney General
05.2018 - 08.2020
Senior State Solicitor
Office Of The Attorney General
01.2018 - 05.2018
State Solicitor
Office Of The Attorney General
08.2016 - 01.2018
Law Clerk
Office Of The Attorney General
03.2016 - 08.2016
Marketing Assistant
University Of The South Pacific
02.2010 - 12.2010
Project Office Assistant
University Of The South Pacific
09.2009 - 02.2010
Senior Student Assistant
University Of The South Pacific
07.2005 - 09.2008
Professional Diploma: Legislative Drafting -
University of The South Pacific
Professional Diploma: Legal Practice -
University of The South Pacific
Bachelor of Laws -
University of The South Pacific
Bachelor of Arts: Politics -
University of The South Pacific
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