William Kadi
Honiara
Summary
This resume is a general summary of my academic, professional practice, and civic engagements for references only. For the purposes of the project, please note that I only highlight the relevant experience which I believe is relevant.
I declare the information outlined herein are true to the best of my knowledge.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Associate
Primo Afeau Legal Services Pacific Legal Network
02.2024 - Current
- I am a certified legal practitioner in the Solomon Islands with 8+ years of practice and currently work as senior Associate for Primo Afeau Legal Services (PALS) a law firm in Solomon Islands.
- PALS is an affiliate law firm of the Pacific Legal Network (PLN), a business and legal advisory firm based in Sydney, Australia that partner with law firms across the Pacific and parts of Asia, to deliver cross-jurisdictional legal and business services.
- My expertise is in energy and environmental law. I am also engaged in consultancy, commercial legal and business advisory matters.
- Conducted due diligence investigations during mergers and acquisitions, ensuring a smooth transition without legal complications.
- Mentored junior associates, enhancing team performance and legal expertise.
- Streamlined document management processes, improving efficiency in case preparation.
- Led complex legal research initiatives to support case strategy and client representation.
- Collaborated with clients to understand needs and deliver tailored legal solutions.
Legal and Regulatory Consultant
Primo Afeau Legal Services
05.2025 - 09.2025
- Analyzed regulatory changes, advising the Energy Division, under the Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, and lead developer of drafting instructions for the amendments to the Electricity Act (cap 128) of Solomon Islands.
- Led client consultations and stakeholder dialogue to assess compliance requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure collaboration in the process of transitioning from a monopoly, vertically integrated system, towards creating the regulatory framework to cater for an independent regulator in the electricity sector of Solomon Islands.
- Analyzed regulatory compliance frameworks to ensure adherence to industry standards.
- Reviewed and interpreted legislation, providing guidance on legal implications for clients.
- Participated actively in industry forums or conferences to stay current on best practices and emerging trends, promoting thought leadership among peers and clients alike.
Country Coordinator
Castalia Consultancy Firm
03.2024 - 07.2025
- I was the country coordinator and local consultant for Castalia Group on the Low Carbon Future Transport Project, in Solomon Islands. It is a project funded by the Asian Development Bank. The key implementer of this project would be the Solomon Islands Government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, and other key stakeholders in the transport sector - land, maritime, and air transport.
- For this project I managed at least communication and coordination on behalf of Castalia Group, among keys stakeholders in the transport sectors of Solomon Islands (air, maritime, and land) and at least five (5) key government ministries - The Ministry of Infrastructure and Development, The Ministry of Planning and Aid Coordination, The Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, the Ministry of Aviation and Communications.
Field Research Assistant (Election Observer)
Australian National University and Solomon Islands National University
04.2024 - 04.2024
- I am engaged with ANU and SINU's election observer research project during the Solomon Islands joint election in April 2024. My assignment duration was two weeks. I was posted to Maringe/Kokota constituency in Isabel Province and conducted random field interviews and observations in more than 5 villages including Buala Station, the administrative township of Isabel Province.
Part time Transcription
Emporium Productions Limited - Netflix
11.2023 - 11.2023
- I conducted a transcription exercise for an episode in Solomon Islands, on a Netflix series title: Inside the World's Toughest Prisons. I was involved in the initial legal preparatory work while I was in Honiara in mid-2022, before I leave for study in the UK. My transcription exercise is on translating Pidgin-English and also additional tasks include identification of copyright materials regarding soundtracks and music performed in the documentary episode.
Associate Lawyer
Primo Afeau Legal Services, Pacific Legal Network
02.2022 - 09.2022
- Conducted legal and regulatory analysis for Bina Harbour customary land tenure system and litigation history for IFC, through Pacific Legal Network's sub-contract with King Wood Mallence in 2022.I assist the Principal of the Firm in managing litigation files and coordinating client communications and networking, on behalf of the Firm.
- I work as an associate solicitor, managed clients, ensure communication is maintained between PALS, the Firm I work for, and PLN, its associate Firm in Sydney, Australia.
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
- Conducted legal research to support case preparation and strategy development.
- Collaborated with colleagues to develop case strategies and improve legal processes.
Senior Legal Officer
Public Solicitors Office
01.2017 - 12.2021
- Started legal practice and focus more on litigation in both criminal and civil jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court. Admitted to the roll in the High Court in 2018 and started practicing in the High Court of Solomon Islands since. Besides legal practice, take on the managing role of Landowners Advocacy and Legal Support Unit (LALSU) in 2018 to 2021. Conducted community legal awareness programs through Solomon Islands Environmental Law Association (SIELA) and also become a member of the Protected Areas Advisory Committee, appointed by the Minister for Environment in 2019.
- Managed high-stakes litigation cases, collaborating with stakeholders to achieve favorable outcomes for clients.
- Conducted risk assessments for potential legal issues, providing strategic recommendations to mitigate exposure.
- Developed and implemented training programs for junior legal staff, enhancing team competency and performance.
- Facilitated stakeholder engagement sessions to communicate legal implications of proposed legislation effectively.
- Managed a diverse caseload of natural resources law, customary law, commercial, and other matters for optimal results.
- Developed strong working relationships with outside counsel to provide cost-effective representation in specialized areas of law.
Utilities Regulatory Authority (Internship)
Utilities Regulatory Authority
02.2014 - 06.2014
- Student intern at the Utilities Regulatory Authority of Vanuatu.
- Supported the implementation of new regulatory initiatives and procedures
- Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments.
- Sorted and organized files, spreadsheets, and reports.
- Analyzed problems and worked with teams to develop solutions.
- Developed organizational skills through managing multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines.
- Utilized strong communication abilities during presentations which led to increased understanding among colleagues regarding project goals and objectives.
- Prepared project presentations and reports to assist senior staff.
Education
Master of Law - Energy Law With Professional Skills
University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen City09.2023
Professional Diploma in Legal Practice -
University of The South Pacific
Suva06.2015
Bachelor of Arts -
University of The South Pacific
Suva12.2014
Bachelor of Law - Law
University of The South Pacific
Suva12.2014
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Legal Research
- Legal Drafting
- Teamwork
- Management skills
- Policy Analysis
- Energy Law
- Natural resources law
- Customary law in Solomon Islands
- Land law in Solomon Islands
- Problem solving
- Cultural awareness
- Community relations and interpersonal skills
- Critical and Analytical Thinking
- Stakeholder engagement and analysis
- Public speaking
- Negotiation
- Communication and listening skills
Accomplishments
Developed my leadership skills and advocacy skills with ongoing continuous legal education (CLE) training and support from the Victoria Bar Association and the Bar Association of Queensland in 2018, and 2021.
In 2021, completed a historical case defending the Gilbertese communities in Waghena Island, Choiseul Province, against a giant proposed mining operation.
Became a member of the Protected Areas Advisory Committee from 2019 to 2021, through my engagement as a senior legal officer in the Public Solicitors Office, and managing the Landowners Advocacy and Legal Support Unit (LALSU) from 2019 to 2021.
Joined the Pacific legal Network through Primo Afeau Legal Services as an affiliate law firm in 2022, and work on complex commercial, advisory and consulting services.
Recipient of the Chevening Scholarship in 2022/2023 and studied in the UK in the same period with a successful completion of my Masters of Law in Energy Law with Professional Skills, in the University of Aberdeen.
Become a member of IUCN and WCEL in 2023, networking with professionals in the area of climate change and environmental law space.
Affiliations
- Current Secretary to the Chevening Alumni Association of Solomon Islands (2024-2026).
- Vice-President to the Solomon Islands Environmental Law Association (2019-current).
- Sitting Member to the Solomon Islands Protected Areas Advisory Committee (PAAC) (2019-2021).
- Community Legal Awareness Coordinator, Public Solicitors Office (2017-2019).
- Winning Songwriter and Performer of Pacific Games Theme Song 2023.
- Curator, Yumi Raet Song Songwriting Hub: UKCHSI and APRAAMCOS in Solomon Islands 2024.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Solomon Islands Pidgin
Native or Bilingual
Roviana
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Legal and Regulatory Consultant
Primo Afeau Legal Services
05.2025 - 09.2025
Field Research Assistant (Election Observer)
Australian National University and Solomon Islands National University
04.2024 - 04.2024
Country Coordinator
Castalia Consultancy Firm
03.2024 - 07.2025
Senior Associate
Primo Afeau Legal Services Pacific Legal Network
02.2024 - Current
Part time Transcription
Emporium Productions Limited - Netflix
11.2023 - 11.2023
Associate Lawyer
Primo Afeau Legal Services, Pacific Legal Network
02.2022 - 09.2022
Senior Legal Officer
Public Solicitors Office
01.2017 - 12.2021
Utilities Regulatory Authority (Internship)
Utilities Regulatory Authority
02.2014 - 06.2014
Master of Law - Energy Law With Professional Skills
University of Aberdeen
Professional Diploma in Legal Practice -
University of The South Pacific
Bachelor of Arts -
University of The South Pacific
Bachelor of Law - Law
University of The South Pacific
PUBLICATIONS
- Johnson, Kadi, and Wohuinangu, Access to Environmental Justice for Pacific Islanders, in Weewernike-Singh and Hamman, 2020, Environmental Law and Governance in the Pacific, Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Communities.
- Felled by its own Failures – How Australia’s inaction to reform logging in the Solomon Islands has let China in | PINA
INTERESTS
Song writing, Reading, Cooking