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PAY IT FORWARD
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two years in her own law practice in Umhlanga, Attorney Shamla Pather is not leaving her legacy to chance, but rather crafting one which aligns perfectly with her life values. Her mantra? Pay it forward
Attorney Shamla Pather’s a highly respected law practitioner, specialising in commercial litigation, with a niche commercial client base. She has an unusual, even unexpected approach to what she does and, skilled as she is, her primary driving force is her back-story. It’s that which drives her actions and business ethics. Shamla was the only daughter - youngest of four - and grew up in a humble home with little money: “Still,” she smiles, “I was spoilt, because as lacking in education and impoverished as my parents were, they did everything to make my world better. And they valued education highly.” Shamla considered herself an average scholar, but a brilliant university student: “For me to attend university required enormous sacrifices by my family. That alone was fiercely motivating. For a young Indian girl who realistically should have been getting married not studying law, the option of failing did not exist. For me to study, my brother had to give up his.” Shamla worked extremely hard, supported wholeheartedly by her family: “For those four years, my sole job was to study, my mom’s was to take care of me, ensure I was mentally and physically equipped to succeed.” Shamla not only succeeded, but qualified cum laude: “The memory of my mom’s caring ways during those years will never leave me; that, together with my dad’s “I’ll always make a plan” attitude, shaped who I am, and how I approach every aspect of life.”
One of the things her parents felt strongly about was a person’s name. They taught Shamla that ‘your name is your biggest asset. Earn a good one, and that’ll stand you in good stead.’ Stepping out into the world – particularly that of law - Shamla found herself unprepared: “This profession is a real character build. From the very outset, it’s really tough. I was considered nothing and nobody, and my self-confidence was entirely eroded. I was repeatedly told I wasn’t good enough, until I believed it. It was a form of abuse.” Shamla’s been in the industry for 24 years now, and she’s determined a large part of her legacy will be to assist young, hard-working professionals to believe in themselves and their ability to climb. Shamla is quick to add that the journey wasn’t all negative. She worked for a number of stellar legal firms like Garlick & Bousfield, and Shepstone and Wylie, companies which not only valued her, but showed it: “These are big, well-oiled machines with good business practices and ethics, and they taught me an enormous amount. Not only did I build solid, respectful and sincere relationships, but often lasting ones. I defy anybody who says the big companies haven’t transformed – they have, and gender equality is firmly on their radar.” 54
