Jagath Karunaratne is the visionary founder and principal lawyer of Karunaratne Lawyers, since arriving in Fiji over two decades ago, Jagath’s journey has been marked by resilience, dedication, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to his adopted community. His background as a global solutions consultant and a former politician provides him with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, business, and governance.
He has extensive experience in the corporate world, having travelled and worked as a Business Consultant in countries such as Fiji, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Philippines, Iceland, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, USA, and travelled to over 30 countries for business and exploration. He has worked for IBM, New Zealand for over 8 years and has been involved with Information Technology, Telecommunications and media sector, other commercial entities and projects. Mr. Karunaratne has provided consultancy on business processes, best practices and methodologies and information systems to executive management and staff for various companies in over 14 countries. He also has experience in investment portfolio and business management.
A household name in Fiji and a barrister and solicitor, Jagath Karunaratne is a gold medalist in Masters in International Relations and is pursuing his Doctorate.
“I formed the Law Firm, Karunaratne Lawyers for a variety of compelling reasons. However, by far the biggest reason is my own life experiences that led me to question what actually justice is. This can vary from one’s perspective and situation presented. But the crux of the matter is, justice must not only be served on every single person but also must be seen and felt how it’s done as a matter of experience in day-to-day life. This is where it becomes extremely important for Legal Practitioners to do their utmost with absolute commitment to ensure that every act of a Lawyer is portrayed as a symbol of justice. While it may become a day-to-day experience for a Lawyer to deal with issues, problems, disputes, crimes and many other negative aspects of life, every individual believes their issue to be the most important and expect it to be treated as such. This probably is the most important part of a lawyer to have patience and empathy that must trigger” – Jagath Karunaratne
Jagath’s vision for Karunaratne Lawyers was born from the ambition to create a law firm that does more than just navigate legal complexities — one that understands business challenges and personal needs with equal clarity. To achieve this, he founded Karunaratne Lawyers alongside Audax Business Solution, a consultancy powerhouse with specialists across corporate disciplines. This innovative collaboration empowers the firm to deliver not only sound legal advice but also practical, business-savvy strategies that drive client success.
Jagath specializes in corporate law, commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, and business advisory services. His hands-on approach, combined with a deep respect for professional ethics and client confidentiality, ensures that every matter he handles receives the highest level of attention and expertise.
Beyond legal practice, Jagath is deeply invested in mentoring young lawyers and fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence within his firm. He believes that lawyering is not just a profession but a vocation — one that requires integrity, discipline, and a client-centered mindset.
He is passionate about giving back to the community and sees his work as a way to promote social justice and economic development. He actively supports initiatives that empower local businesses and individuals, reflecting his belief that the law should serve as a tool for positive change.
Jagath Karunaratne holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and is admitted to practice in Fiji. Under his leadership, Karunaratne Lawyers continues to grow as a respected, client-focused firm recognized for its professionalism, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice.