Su’a Hellene Wallwork Stays On As Attorney General
Samoa's Attorney General Su'a Hellene Wallwork when she was sworn in a interim A.G. in September 2021.
Photo: EyeSpy Radio
Former Samoa Law Society (S.L.S.) President Su’a Hellene Wallwork has been re-appointed to lead the Office of the Attorney General (A.G.).
Her appointment was confirmed by Cabinet early this week on Wednesday, according to a press statement from the Government of Samoa.
Su’a, 48, has served as a qualified solicitor in Samoa and internationally for 24 years.
“Cabinet today confirmed the appointment of Su’a Hellene Wallwork as the Attorney General (A.G.) to lead the Office of the Attorney General,” the Wednesday statement said.
“Su’a is 48 years old now, and for 24 years, she served as a qualified solicitor in Samoa and internationally. She has also served in the Office of the Attorney General for two years as an interim A.G.”
Su’a holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Arts from 1988 at Auckland University, New Zealand.
She was elected to serve as the Society’s President in August of 2021. It was the second time she was elected to the office.
About one month into her second tenure as President of the Law Society, Su’a was instated as interim A.G.
The interim A.G. was installed after Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa who is also Minister of the A.G.’s Office terminated the services of Savalenoa Mareva Betham-Annandale who was A.G. at the time.
Fiame, in a September 2021 statement cited having “no trust or confidence in the former A.G.’s ability to discharge the functions of the Office of Attorney General.”
Su’a was appointed as interim A.G. “in the public interest,” and sworn into office in September of 2021.
P.M. Fiame said in 2021 that the government would seek “a qualified and experienced lawyer to undertake this important Constitutional post for three years.”
Su’a began her career in the Office of the A.G., and then worked for 12 years in New Zealand in various senior posts in private practice, according to the P.M.’s 2021 statement.
She has worked for the New Zealand Police and as a Senior Legal Adviser for the New Zealand Commerce Commission, before returning to Samoa with her husband Travis Lamb, and starting their own firm: Wallwork Lamb Lawyers in 2013.
Su’a has held various volunteer and board positions, but notably has led the legal profession and was the President of the Samoa Law Society in 2017, then Vice President for three years, and was re-elected as President of the Law Society in August of 2021.
Su’a was bestowed with the Su’a title in 2008 by her family in Gaga’ifolevao, Lefaga and is active in village matters.
She brings to the A.G. post a range of experience, integrity and a wealth of knowledge, Fiame said.
‘[Su’a] accepted my invitation to take up this role as an independent and experienced senior lawyer, who is willing to assist during this period of change and transition,” said the P.M.
“We are grateful for her willingness and generosity, to offer her time and commitment for the benefit of this country, and thank her husband, her two daughters and her family, in advance, for their support of her during this important endeavour.”
In any democratic country, the P.M., Cabinet and the whole of government are entitled to work with senior post holders in whom they have trust and confidence, and to expect that all officials will perform their functions and duties in an independent, competent and professional manner, the P.M. said.
“We share those expectations in Samoa and will strive to ensure that this is the case, in every Ministry and agency of government, in order that we may serve, not our own interests, but that we serve the interests of all our people – the public of Samoa,” said Fiame.
The appointment is for three years.