Most of ADLV Law’s senior lawyers did not arrive as lawyers. Kasia Maczuga arrived at the firm as a university student in her final year after being offered an administrative role in a competitive market. Eleven years later and now a senior lawyer, Kasia has worked in almost every part of the firm on the path to her current role.
As part of ADLV Law’s 25 years we asked her how she got in the door, what the work is actually like, and what she thinks the next 25 years hold.
How she got in the door
Where did you start?
“I started at the firm as a university student. I was in my final year of uni, and I worked in admin. My job entailed a combination of administrative work and assisting the lawyers with their matters. Many of our staff have started with us in similar roles and progressed through to full time work.”
She was offered a role to stay on after she finished her course. Law clerk, then junior lawyer, then lawyer.
“I did my junior lawyer time, and now they’re calling me senior. Sometimes it doesn’t really feel like that – I still feel there is a lot to learn. I think my curiosity and enthusiasm for solving tricky problems keeps me on my toes.”
What did the firm look like then?
“The firm was much smaller when I started. At one point I was one of only two very junior people in the firm, and we both worked part time, so we effectively job shared.”
“That was a big steep learning curve, because the responsibility I was given at an early stage in my career has really shaped how I approach work and how I approach problem solving for clients.”
What she enjoys about the work
What have you enjoyed most about working here?
“It is quite a unique environment. The exposure that we have to client work very early on is a great thing, and I don’t think it’s an experience that’s necessarily universal for people who work in law.”
“I think that has made me grow in a professional capacity much quicker than maybe I would have in a different environment.”
“No day is the same, and you’re not put into a box where you’re expected to just do one thing for the rest of your career.”
“I also enjoy how close we are to clients. Because we are so involved in their big personal decisions or their big business decisions, I’ve always really enjoyed hearing people’s stories.”
She picked that up early, sitting in on meetings with the senior lawyers who were taking her along at the time.
“The meetings often started with: tell me about your business. Or tell me about your family. Then I would hear about all kinds of businesses and ways of life that I had never been exposed to. Road marking, equipment hire, mixed farming. It was eye opening.”
“People are so personally connected to their businesses and their stories, particularly in South Australia. We have had opportunities to work with some iconic. Australian businesses, which feels like a real privilege.”
Kasia credits this early experience with her interest in working with family businesses. Today, she is one of two Family Business Association (FBA) accredited advisors at the firm and leads the firm’s State partnership with FBA.
What she looks back on
Is there a standout matter or moment?
“I don’t think there’s a really particular matter or moment. For me, knowing that you can be someone that people rely on when they’re at their worst, or when they have a problem that needs to be solved. Being able to be that person that guides them through it, but also being able to celebrate their successes.”
“Getting to spend time with people and get to know them on a personal level, not just as another professional or as a client who owns a business. I have found building rapport and trust is really valuable when working with clients to achieve the best possible outcome for their success.”
And the more junior people coming through behind you?
“Getting that early exposure has meant I’ve also had an opportunity to share what a career here can look like with our more junior staff, and to work with them so they can find what makes them tick, because there are so many different pathways you can take. Some of them do occasionally hear my stories that start with “Back in my day…”. Especially when explaining what a cheque is!”
“I’ve enjoyed getting to see all the people that have started with us flourish.”
Then and now
What has changed in eleven years?
“When I started, we were six or seven people across two offices. Today we’re a team of almost thirty. We’ve got people that have specialties and have achieved accreditations. We’ve got people that are pursuing careers in practice areas that they’re really passionate about.”
What would surprise people about working here?
“So many of our team have progressed from administrative roles or clerks through to junior lawyers, lawyers, and senior lawyers.”
“There’s a lot of social commentary about how young people don’t stay in jobs long term. The longevity of some of our team might surprise people.”
The next 25 years
What does the next quarter century hold?
“I think the next 25 years will look completely different to the last 25. The way we work is changing, and the way technology is impacting how legal services are provided will look very different in terms of how the output is created.”
“The one thing that will remain as a common thread is personal connection and human interaction in the law.”
“I believe that in 25 years, people will still be turning to advisors that they trust and that they believe have their interests at heart, to help solve big life-changing problems.”
“In a world where you can sit in a room all day and not have any human interaction at all, I think that’s something people will crave more.”
And the firm’s part in that?
“We’re building a team that is very much capable of meeting that need, and being the positive human person on the other end of a phone call to help solve a legal problem.”
Thanks to Kasia for taking the time to reflect on her time at ADLV Law and provide her thoughts on the future of the firm. Stay tuned to hear more from our team!
If you have a legal issue and Kasia seems like the right lawyer for you, call us on 1300 654 590 or email us.