Wilson Henry Rano is a senior Solomon Islands lawyer and legal practitioner with more than two decades of experience in litigation, commercial advisory work, governance, and public law. He is the Founding Partner and Managing Partner of Rano & Company Lawyers and is widely recognised for his experience across both public and private sector legal practice.

Born in Gizo, Western Province, Solomon Islands, Rano pursued his education across several provinces before completing his legal studies at the University of the South Pacific. Throughout his career, he has advised government institutions, financial entities, and private companies on complex legal and commercial matters throughout the Pacific region.

His legal expertise spans constitutional law, commercial law, natural resources law, maritime law, banking law, forestry law, fisheries law, customary land matters, and technology law.

Master of Laws (LLM)

University of the South Pacific
2002

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

University of the South Pacific
2000

Professional Diploma in Legal Practice (PDLP)

University of the South Pacific
2003

Rano is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Fiji (2003) and the High Court of Solomon Islands (2004), reflecting his cross‑jurisdictional professional standing in the Pacific region. He has been an active member of key professional bodies, including the International Law Association (Solomon Islands Branch) between 2004 and 2006 and the Solomon Islands Bar Association from 2004 to 2026. His professional formation has been complemented by specialised legal practice training through the Institute of Justice and Applied Legal Studies at the University of the South Pacific. 

Rano commenced his professional career as Crown Prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Fiji, giving him early exposure to criminal and public law litigation. He subsequently worked as an Associate at Suri’s Law Practice in 2004 and as Associate and then Partner at Pacific Lawyers between 2004 and 2008, building substantial contentious and advisory experience across commercial and public law mandates. Since 2009 he has led Rano & Company as Principal and later Managing Partner, overseeing a broad practice with a strong focus on complex disputes, government advisory work, and transactional matters for domestic and regional clients. 

Rano’s practice spans a wide range of subject areas, including natural resources law, company and banking law, commercial law and international trade, maritime law, forestry law, fisheries law, customary land, constitutional and administrative law, technology law, and water law. He regularly advises on and conducts litigation, drafts commercial agreements (including public‑private partnership arrangements), prepares subordinate legislation such as ordinances and regulations, and conducts mediations between private entities and the Solomon Islands Government. Through this work he has become a leading legal adviser to both public and private sector clients operating in resource‑rich and regulated sectors of the Solomon Islands economy. 

Although based in Honiara, Rano’s professional experience extends beyond the Solomon Islands to Fiji and Vanuatu, reflecting his regional engagement in Pacific legal practice. He works confidently in English and Solomon Islands Pidgin, with English rated “good” in speaking, reading, and writing, and Pidgin rated “excellent” across all three skills, enabling him to engage effectively with courts, government agencies, and local communities alike. His combination of regional exposure and local language proficiency supports his role in bridging formal legal frameworks with customary and community contexts.

Beyond his legal practice, Rano has held a series of governance and board positions with financial institutions and commercial entities, underscoring his commercial acumen and reputation for independent judgment. He has served as Alternate Director of Solomon Mutual Insurance Ltd, Director of Melanesian Holdings Ltd (trading as Provincial Press), and Independent Director of Pan Oceanic Bank Limited since 2017 to present (2026) and Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (2026). He continues to serve on the boards of various private companies, including Hybrid Resources Ltd, Hybrid Timber Ltd, Aradiwa Corporation Ltd, Wile Properties Ltd, Clandestine Entertainment Ltd, Cowboys Bar Grill Restaurant Ltd, and Soltech Limited, where he contributes legal, risk, and governance expertise.

Today, Rano is based at Ranoplex Building, Mbokonavera 1, Lot 788, Honiara, from where he co-manages Rano & Company Lawyers and corporate responsibilities. With a career grounded in both public service and private practice, he is recognised as an experienced Solomon Islands legal practitioner with deep experience across litigation, legislative drafting, commercial transactions, and board‑level governance.