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SHAMLA PATHER

hamla Pather is an attorney at her firm, that I can be to my daughter, Jade, who has made happening with each staff member, both person-
Shamla Pather Attorneys, which caters to me incredibly proud, having graduated Cum Laude ally and professionally. “I’m very proactive in
clients in the corporate, commercial, family, from the University of Cape Town. She’s my purpose empowerment in my firm, and it doesn’t matter
Sproperty, criminal, and litigation spheres. in life – to do the right thing, to be a good person, who you are – whether you make the tea here or
Shamla describes herself as a girl from the back to be an individual who stands out among others, go to court here. Everybody’s the same.”
streets of Chatsworth, who grew up in a home but in a way that adds value. My daughter always
with her mum, dad, and three brothers. She says reminds me of who I am and who I want to be. For INSPIRED BY LOVE
she had a phenomenal childhood and was a child me, juggling a difficult career over a prolonged Reflecting on the challenges she has faced, Shamla
of the community. period and still getting it right with your child is my commented that the three best months of her career
award. No accolade is as important to me as being
“I’m the youngest of the siblings and the only were during Covid. “I worked super hard in one
a mother.”
daughter. I lived a very sheltered life and was brought room in my home to the point where my staff got
up traditionally Indian. What was fundamental for me Speaking of her firm, Shamla expanded, “Shamla paid every month without deductions, even though
is that despite being raised in a home where money Pather Attorneys needs to be a brand that always they were at home, and that year they all received
was a problem, we were raised with much love.” does the right thing. That means testing my legal fourteen cheques. If you put your head to it, you can
knowledge and being the best law firm that I (and overcome adversity. It’s just a mindset to me.”
Shamla didn’t realise growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s my team) can be.”
that her family was poor until she finished school Speaking of the people who have inspired her, she
and was told there was no money for her to attend HAVING INTEGRITY says her husband, a medical doctor, is a key person
in her life. “I am inspired by the love he has for my
university. She was advised to get married as it would
The best advice that Shamla has received is, ‘Never daughter and the sacrifices he has made. I’m also
be cheaper than tertiary education.
forget the people who help you on your way up inspired by the fact that he gave me such latitude
Through the assistance of her oldest brother, Vishnu, because you will see them on your way down.’ within which to grow and to be the professional
who saw Shamla’s potential, she was able to study that I am.”
One of Shamla’s main driving forces is having
further. During those years, Shamla realised she
integrity; as such, her biggest challenge is in creating In addition, Shamla has always been inspired by her
needed to harness her potential and that she had a
opportunities. “I found early on that if you don’t late mother, whom she emulates and remembers for
hunger not to let her family down, as well as a desire
know people in significant positions, or if you’re her values and capacity to love and take care of her
to accomplish something in her life.
not willing to do things that you’re not comfortable family. Her daughter is another source of inspiration;
with, you’re not going to get far, and I refuse to do Shamla says she is the epitome of kindness, humility,
EMPOWERING PEOPLE
this. I’m not prepared to be a statistic, which has intelligence, and sophistication.
Shamla has now been in practice for 26 years. often intimidated people, but it has given me the
After completing her articles, which she described satisfaction that I have achieved.” Looking to the next 10 years, Shamla’s goals are
as a horrible time due to encountering several not confined to law. She would like to use her
When asked how she keeps her team motivated, skills to be more charitable, engage in more social
problems, Shamla joined a boutique law firm. There,
Shamla said, “I share a lot of my experiences. I’m not responsibility activities, empower more people, and
she became a partner for 17 years, after which she
an easy boss, but I have always instilled that right is teach other lawyers.
took on further opportunities at two larger firms.
right. It doesn’t matter what the situation is. I always
In conclusion, Shamla’s motto is, “Make a mistake
Feeling limited and wanting to empower people, tell them that if you put your hand up and own up
every day as long as you don’t make the same
Shamla decided to chart her own course. Shamla to something, we are in a beautiful profession where
Pather Attorneys now has nine employees, with there is an answer for everything.” mistake every day. If you do that, you’re not opening
yourself up to learning new things from the mistakes
offices in Umhlanga and Sandton.
Shamla also motivates her team by demonstrating you have made. Mistakes also allow you to identify
Speaking of her personal journey, Shamla said, “My an immense capacity to work extremely hard. your weaknesses. It’s important to be conscious of
purpose as Shamla Pather is to be the best mother In addition, she ensures that she knows what’s where you find yourself in life.”
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