For 54-year-old Lavo-levu Soro Toutou, being admitted to the Bar is the result of a decision he made later in life, and that is to leave behind a career in management and pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.

Toutou, from Lewa Village in Nadarivatu, Ba, was the oldest of the 30 law graduates admitted to the Bar at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva this morning, and standing alongside younger graduates made the moment even more meaningful for him.

“I’m really overwhelmed,” he said.

He says he is proud of his parents, siblings, relatives and ancestors who have supported him throughout his journey.

Toutou’s working life began in 1990 when he joined the Public Service Commission as a graduate trainee.

He later completed a Master’s degree in Management and spent more than three decades working in the civil service, on government and civil society boards, and in consultancy.

But he did not want his career to end there, so he decided it was time to do something different.

He began studying law part-time, balancing his studies with work and other responsibilities.

“I decided that before the age of 55, if I can change profession from management to law,” he said.

Years later, that decision has paid off.

Toutou said becoming a lawyer was not just about changing careers. He wanted to gain skills that could be useful to his people and community.

He says communities in Colo-North need people who understand the law and can help them navigate legal issues and contribute to development.

“If I can change my profession, it has to suit the needs of my community and my people,” he said.

That is now what he hopes to do with his legal qualification.

His area of interest is criminal law, and he says he is looking forward to starting work and contributing to the legal fraternity.

For Toutou, the achievement also carries a strong family connection.

He dedicated it to his siblings, relatives, his wife and his son, who is a doctor.

He also paid tribute to his late brother, Ratu Sikeli Toutou, whom he described as his mentor.

And he says his faith has also been an important part of his journey.

After years of studying and working, Toutou has a message for anyone who may feel they are too old to start something new.

“Age is just a number,” he said.

He says people should not feel tied to one profession for their entire working life, because changing direction can open up new opportunities.

For him, that change came after decades in public service.

Now, after finally achieving his goal of becoming a lawyer, Toutou knows the real work is only beginning.

“I’ve just completed the theoretical part of it, and now the work of being a lawyer actually starts.”

At 54, Toutou has shown that a new career does not always have to begin in your twenties.

Sometimes, it begins after 30 years of working.

He says he plans to specialise in criminal law.