Kamil Lakshman is IDESI LEGAL Limited’s Principal Lawyer, with years of experience in Immigration Law.
Kamil has lead civil aid status and assists with legally aided cases, such as Refugee Asylum claim and Appeals to the Immigration Protection Tribunals among others.
Mrs Lakshman holds a prominent position in the extended Wellington community. She is often asked to serve on Governmental consultation groups on migrant and refugee matters. She is an influential member in many Refugee and Migrant communities and has chaired many boards.
Mrs Lakshman is a long-standing member of the New Zealand Law Society’s Wellington Immigration and Refugee Law Committee, she is now the committee Convenor for the last fifteen years and her membership of the National Immigration and Refugee Law Reform committee has been renewed for another term. She is also a member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the New Zealand Association of Immigration Professionals, and the New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment. She also represents the New Zealand Law Society on Immigration New Zealand’s reference group, which consults on wider Immigration issues with interested parties including the Minister for Immigration.
She writes regular columns and articles regarding immigration related issues and has hosted a radio program “Koffee with Kamil”, discussing pertinent issues in relation to New Zealand Immigration Law. She is consulted by Stuff.co.nz, Radio NZ and TVNZ on high-profile Immigration matters.
Mrs Lakshman initially completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. After which she worked for many years in the Ministry of Education as a Divisional Manager. At this stage she commenced and completed her Diploma in Corporate Management and Masters in Business Administration in International Management. She then went on to complete her LLB from Victoria University of Wellington. She was admitted to the New Zealand High Court as Barrister and Solicitor in 2000.
She is often involved with various issues arising in Immigration and Refugee related areas and has a passion for representing those that have been wronged. Mrs Lakshman is known for taking on the cases that on the face of it, appear to have no merit. Mrs Lakshman has organised multiple humanitarian appeals to aid Fiji relief efforts. She has a spiritual bent including enjoying yoga and meditation.
As co-coordinator of “Mamta”, an Asian Women’s group she has successfully lobbied the New Zealand Government on many migrant issues. Te-Papa, the New Zealand National Museum has benefited from her input in regards to the “Aainaa – Indian Wedding in New Zealand” exhibition and also in a series of ongoing lectures and forums.