Page 3 - KZN Buisiness Sense - Page One - Susan Abro

Left to right: Sham Moodley, Shereen Naidoo, Susan Abro and Virginia Mavimbela.

A HEART FOR FAMILY LAW

usan Abro is the sole “By the time clients leave me,” Paola Wright and Wilkinson became very close over the law itself is motivating. “You see
proprietor of Susan Abro she reflects, “they are strong during a period of transition, years; even went to each other’s what people go through,” she
SAttorney, a specialist enough to continue on their when the firm was taken birthday parties.” explains. “It reminds you why
family law practice based own. Seeing that transformation over and women were no Susan attributes much of her the work matters.”
in KwaZulu-Natal. With a is what gives me the greatest longer welcomed by the new professional composure to a
legal career spanning more satisfaction.” management. Undeterred, Inspiration for Susan comes
than three decades, her she accepted an offer from piece of advice she received primarily from people. She
early in her career. “My
work has been grounded in a Strong Work Ethic Woodhead, Bigby and Irving, principal once told me that if speaks warmly of South Africans
commitment to people, justice, Susan grew up in Melmoth, where she spent five formative you receive a letter that makes and their resilience, kindness,
and community. Her practice a small town in Zululand, years. “I’ve always believed you and sense of community. She
focuses on family law, a field she where the absence of a local don’t burn bridges,” she says. you angry, put it in a drawer,” draws inspiration from strong
she recalls. “If you take it out
describes as dealing with life high school meant she had to “Those relationships matter, a day later and it still makes women who remain active
“from cradle to grave”. attend boarding school. She especially when you go out on you angry, put it back. Never and committed well into later
life. These include 86 year old
Susan Abro Attorney handles was educated at St Anne’s your own.” respond in anger. You need a Mathabo Kunene who carries
a broad spectrum of family law Diocesan College, where Mutual Respect clear head and collegiality – a on the legacy of her husband,
matters. These include disputes lifelong friendships were In 1995, Susan made the concept many youngsters today the late poet laureate, Mazisi
relating to children, divorce, formed. She went on to study decision to enter private don’t understand,” she says. Kunene, and does incredible
financial consequences of at the then University of practice in association with “But without that, the system work for the community. In
separation, domestic violence Natal in Pietermaritzburg, doesn’t work.” addition, her own mother, also
protection orders, maintenance completing a Bachelor of Betsy Rowe of Sylvia Oversby aged of 86 who has just retired
and Partners, a firm they later
court proceedings, and complex Arts degree, followed by purchased. The transition Human Connection is a role model. “They show you
international matters such as Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the from being a partner in a large One of the significant how strong you can be,” she says.
cross-border child abduction University of Natal’s Durban Durban firm to starting afresh personal challenges Susan has “They are always giving back.”
under the Hague Conventions. campus. Alongside her formal was daunting. “I literally had faced is the progressive loss of
As Susan explains, “Family legal education, she pursued nothing,” she admits. “But in her vision. However, she has Looking ahead, Susan is
law is about the most intimate additional qualifications in those days, you just did it.” She adapted with determination and optimistic about KwaZulu-
aspects of people’s lives. You business management through credits her success to strong pragmatism. “Technology has Natal. “I really hope we can
are dealing with their children, Damelin and undertook mentorship, loyal clients, and made a huge difference,” she move forward doing business
their finances, their safety, and numerous specialist courses a professional network built on explains. “My phone talks to properly,” she says, “with
their dignity. You have to take in family law, mediation, and mutual respect. Many of her me, my computer talks to me, honesty and integrity, and by
all of that seriously.” arbitration. clients have remained with her and I have incredible staff who helping one another. KZN is the
At the heart of Susan’s Her strong work ethic throughout her career, evolving support me.” She acknowledges best province in this country.”
work lies a clear purpose: emerged early. Susan’s first into trusted friends. that facing this challenge later Susan firm’s logo reads, “We
to help people, particularly job came at the age of 12, Among Susan’s achievements, in life, once her practice was have a heart for family law,” a
those navigating crisis and when she worked as a cashier one stands out as particularly established, made adaptation sentiment that reflects her life’s
vulnerability. She says, “I’ve in a Melmoth supermarket meaningful: her service as an more manageable. work. “When I’m gone,” she
been involved with gender- during school holidays. This acting judge of the High Court Susan leads a small, close- says quietly, “I want people to
based violence and the early experience left a lasting and later as a judge of the knit team and places emphasis say that I lived a good life, that
promotion of women since the impression. “You learn very Electoral Court. She served two on wellbeing and human I looked after my community,
very beginning of my career.” quickly how to deal with terms on the Electoral Court connection. “We do things and that I was honest.” For
While her practice does not people,” she recalls, “and that alongside the late Supreme together that aren’t work- Susan Abro, leadership is
exclusively represent women, skill stays with you for life.” Court of Appeal Judge President related,” she says. “We exercise service, integrity, and leaving
she has become known for Susan’s professional journey K.K. Mthiyane. “That was in the boardroom, we try to people stronger than when she
her ability to support women was marked by both challenges incredibly exciting,” she says. eat healthily, and we spend found them. 
facing severe emotional, and opportunities. She “When I first knew K.K., he time together socially.” She
financial, or physical hardship. completed her articles at L.J. was an advocate I briefed. We believes the nature of family W: www.susanabro.com

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