Lead by doing

WORDS BY Kelli Martin Managing Partner, KLM Solicitors klmsolicitors.com.au

As leaders, we instil confidence and faith in people by letting them run their own race, coaching only when required and maintaining an interest not only in their work but who they are as people.

I’ve always believed in leading from within. By that I mean consistently and clearly demonstrating our values and purpose. Leadership is not a suit we put on at the start of the day. It’s who we are; it’s us in action.

When I started my own law firm in 2015, I knew I wanted it to be very different from the traditional firms I’d worked with. And a big part of that would include supporting and encouraging more women –particularly young women – entering the profession.

For the first time across Australia, there are more women than men in the legal profession with women accounting for 53 per cent of solicitors. We still have some way to go before the scales are balanced when it comes to senior roles. Despite women making up two-thirds of law graduates, only 10 per cent occupy senior positions.

These figures make me proud to lead a majority female-led firm where we recently celebrated the appointment of Jane Bruxner as Partner. Jane is a highly regarded criminal law specialist who has been part of the KLM Solicitors team for more than five years.

It’s been a pleasure to support her development and growth and to work beside her and learn from her as well. Jane was a finalist in the Australasian Lawyer Rising Star Award and Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards in the criminal category. Professionally and personally, she’s a star. And one of many talented, young female solicitors that I’ve had the opportunity to work with.

Not long after starting my business in 2015 I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was shocked by this – I hadn’t been to war or at the centre of a terrible tragedy. Only then did I begin to learn about vicarious trauma and how the cumulative effect of my exposure to horrific cases of domestic violence had impacted me. I sought help and learned strategies to recognise and manage my thoughts and feelings. And rather than walk away from my business, I found that this experience made me a better, more empathetic lawyer, as well as a better mother, wife, friend and leader.

When we are clear on who we are, what we want and how we want to achieve it, the day-to-day becomes purposeful. I know what gets me out of bed every day. I love my job. I love that my firm and lawyers like Jane share my vision. We don’t have it on a poster on the wall. It’s part of us. ■

If you need help with family or criminal law matters, contact KLM Solicitors at www.klmsolicitors.com.au or phone (07) 3733 0901.

Since 2015, our team has been providing clients with honest, down-to-earth and quality legal representation

We specialise in family and criminal law, with significant experience in domestic violence matters.

Our team understands that navigating the complex legal process can be overwhelming, especially when you are also managing a difficult time in your life. That's why we do everything we can to make it as simple and easy-to-understand as possible, and are there with you through every step of the way

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