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PT Spotlight - Phil Tukia

By okaili | 8 Comments

Last updated: Monday, November 13, 2006

Phil Tukia

An interview with Phil Tukia - PT Community Spotlight

PT-Please tell us about yourself, family, background.
My name is Phil Tukia. I am the son of Simione and Talumani Tukia. Simione is the son of the late Sione and Sela Tukia of Kolomotu’a. My grandfather Tukia’s roots are from Te’ekiu and Ha’apai. My grandmother Sela’s roots are from Lotofoa and Lofanga, Ha’apai. My mother Talumani is the daughter of the late Siosaia and Ane Vaimoana Makakaufaki of Kolomotu’a. My grandfather Saia’s roots are from Kolomotu’a, Fatai and Niua. My grandmother Vai’s roots are from Hihifo (Ha’avakatolo, Fo’ui, Kolovai) and Ha’ano, Ha’apai.

I was born in Auckland, New Zealand but grew up in California. I have an older brother and one younger brother. We have one sister who is the youngest.

PT-Tell us about your childhood….growing up.
I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. My family was isolated from where most Tongans lived. Just the same, many family members and fellow Tongans came through our home as they immigrated or visited the United States. Eventually, I lost the ability to speak Tongan fluently. But I still learned and became familiar and aware of traditional roles and functions in my capacity as a son, brother, and cousin. Like every other Tongan, my life has been filled with countless katoanga, misinales, putus and birthdays. My Tongan speech is slowly returning.

PT-Tell us about your schooling and education.
I attended high school at Grover Cleveland H.S. in the San Fernando Valley, just north of Los Angeles. That’s right, I am a “Valley Boy.” I even worked at a movie theater in the Sherman Oaks Galleria Mall. I spent my summers playing baseball and surfing Malibu and Zuma Beach. I went to college at California State University, Northridge, just a few blocks from my home. I played football there and managed to find enough time between football and parties to go to class and graduate on time. I graduated with a BA in political science with a minor in physics. After a few years of working, traveling, and “experiencing life,” I enrolled in law school. I attended Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. I graduated from Loyola, took the Bar and started working for a private firm in Los Angeles.

PT-What profession are you in? and why did you decide on this profession?
I am still an attorney. I am a trial attorney working in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I handle “catastrophic claims” such as trucking accidents, construction accidents, train wrecks, toxic torts, construction defects, medical malpractice, product liability, etc. I represent corporations in multi-million dollar civil claims filed against them. I initially wanted to be a physicist or engineer. I never wanted to become the stereotype of a big island boy who could only be an athlete but not an academic.

I became a lawyer because I painfully discovered I could not be an engineer. I switched to political science and pre-law in college, but I still had enough science units to declare physics as a minor area of study.

The law is somewhat similar to physics and math. Both disciplines require an element of analysis and logic. But instead of numbers, law is discerned in the form of words. My physics background of analysis and study has helped me many times in my legal work. I also chose to be a lawyer because it seemed like an exciting field where I could gain a certain modicum of achievement and also make it possible for me to help or at least inspire my fellow Tongans.

PT-Share any special experiences you encountered from being in this profession.
One special appearance was when I made a court appearance in the Torrance courthouse. In the halls of the courthouse I came across my aunt who was serving jury duty at the time. As an attorney, it is unethical for me to communicate with any jury member, even if I am not involved in the trial the jury member is serving. My aunt did not care. She wanted to hug and kiss me just the same. It was both a proud and anxious moment for me. Fortunately, the sheriff deputy at the scene was understanding.

On a more serious note, I try to treat all my clients with dignity and respect. Over the years I have handled hundreds of lawsuits. But I know that to my clients, his or her lawsuit was his or her ONE case at the time. To them, my other cases did not matter. In that context, I have had clients who expressed their appreciation for my sincerity and attention to their case. That always makes me happy.

PT-What special schooling or training did you have to acquire in order to get into your profession?
During the summer breaks in law school, I clerked at a law firm to gain experience. Finally, in my last year of law school, I took several practical courses such as trial advocacy and a clerkship for a legal foundation.

PT-What advice do you have for those wanting to get into your profession.
My advice to my fellow Tongans is to take advantage of their status as a minority. Furthermore, as a Tongan, we are a minority within the minority.

Despite the anti-affirmative action rhetoric, law schools and other graduate schools legitimately want diversity in their student body. Being a Tongan law student is the ultimate in reaching diversity. I know some people will feel that such a stance is just perpetrating the stereotype. I would counter that we should not apologize for programs that seek to restore proportional representation. There are not many Tongan attorneys in the U.S., and we need more. We are entitled to more.

For educational purposes, I urge my fellow Tongans to go as high as possible in the subject of math. The higher you go, the higher your SAT scores will be. For me, my exposure to calculus principles allowed me to address every math question. The verbal portion of the SAT is all about constant studying and reading a lot of Shakespeare. Read Shakespeare anyway.

PT-Any specials projects you are working on right now whether in or out of your profession?
I have just been accredited as a licensed agent in the National Football League. It was not really something I pursued because my law practice takes up a lot of my time as it is. Just the same, several fellow Tongan professionals urged me to get licensed to perhaps become an agent for the growing number of Tongan athletes who show an acumen to play in the NFL.

In that regard, I can see an opportunity for not just myself and the prospective player, but also with fellow Tongan professionals to perhaps represent the player in another field of interest. We have some very bright young professional Tongans, and I look forward to working with them.

PT-Who are your role models or people your admire?
My role models are my parents and my grandparents for living good lives, going to church, and working hard. I am so fortunate to have the foundation they provided me. I also look up to many of my uncles and aunts for their achievements and accomplishments. Props to Dr. Litia Niumeitolu for her liberal ideals and for raising five incredibly intelligent and talented children.

I admire many people and many types of people. I admire Kalafi Moala for his brave stance on journalistic freedom. I admired the late Rev. Amanaki Havea for his eloquence and sensitivity. I admired the late Fielakepa for his graciousness and quiet sense of authority and respect. His children, all of them including the current Fielakepa, carry the same trait. I admired the late Prince Tu’ipelehake for his ability to remain venerated due his rank, while at the same time making a mere commoner very comfortable in his company. I admired and loved his wife, Princess Kaimana. She was the epitome of grace and humility.

Other people I admire are yourself, Orson, and your siblings for the wonderful job in founding and maintaining the Planet Tonga forum. All my best, by the way, to your parents. They have raised some incredible children. In that same vein, I am a great admirer of Taholo Kami who started the first Tongan website way back in 1995. We have come a long way since the Kava Bowl and Pacific Forum.

PT-Include any special recognition or thanks to special people who have helped you along the road.
I would like to recognize my fellow Tongan lawyers that I am aware of in the United States. There is Mona Lisa Salakielu Tu’itahi. She was my mentor when I was in law school. Her advice and counsel were invaluable. Her husband, Saia, is a faifekau here in Los Angeles, and I see them on occasion at church functions. There is also Timote Tu’itavuki who practices law in Stockton, California. There is Lani Nau Taumoepeau. She was spotlighted previously in this forum. She is the newest practicing Tongan attorney, in California at least. There is also Laura Vuki Lui. She was also highlighted previously in this forum. Best wishes to her and her family. There is also Michael Sanft who practices criminal law in Las Vegas. Then there are Taniela Fiefia and Filia Uipi in Salt Lake City. I consider Fili Uipi as our senior member and role model for we younger Tongan lawyers. My humble salutations to him.

PT-Include your contact information if you want it made public.
I can be reached at p_tukia@yahoo.com

PT-Share any memorable experience from your work life.
Every time I am in court is a memorable occasion for me. It is such a unique rush to speak before a judge or jury amid such solemnity and formality.

But really, my most memorable moment was not in court, but in the courtyard of my law school when I was sworn in as a licensed attorney. Among the numerous new attorneys being sworn in, I was the one who wore a tupenu and ta’ovala and sisi kakala. At that moment, I had never been so proud to be a Tongan.

Sometimes I reflect on that first day with pride for myself, my parents, my family, and my people. And I thank God for allowing me the opportunity. I look forward to meeting many more fellow Tongans who endeavor to practice law in the United States.

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