Page 43 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

Some things can be sacrificed for a season,

but others, if neglected, are gone.

We all bring expert skills, but as a woman and a mother, I As a woman in a profession that has historically
Partner,
believe I bring an element of balance.” been male-dominated, Carol has faced her share
Cox Yeats Attorneys of challenges. She recalls a particularly frustrating
Carol’s approach to balancing work and personal life
arol McDonald, a partner at Cox Yeats Attorneys extends beyond her role at the firm. She has been experience from her early career when, as an articled
clerk, she was told she was “paid to type and look
in Durban, has carved out a career specialising involved in initiatives that support the broader legal
C in commercial and property law. At the firm, she community, including serving on the Legal Practitioners pretty’.” Carol did not hesitate to speak up: “I walked
plays a crucial role in the property and conveyancing Council for KwaZulu-Natal. Here, she has actively worked out the room and told them when they were ready for
team, handling the spectrum of residential transactions, to address practical challenges faced by practitioners, brains, I’d come back.”
commercial property deals, development projects, such as dealing with issues at the Deeds Office or These experiences have not disappeared entirely, even
bond work and mining title registrations. ensuring the smooth delivery of municipal rates. “It’s as a partner. “There are still times when I interface
not just about your firm making money,” she notes. “It’s with a client face-to-face, and they’ll assume I’m the
Carol’s academic journey began at Westville Girls High, about helping your colleagues succeed as well.” secretary,” she explains. Despite such frustrations, Carol
after which she explored the world before committing remains steadfast, approaching these situations with
to a career in law. “I took two years off after school to As someone who leads Cox Yeats’ corporate social determination. “You’ve got to find your way in life,” she
see the world a little bit,” she explains. “But I always responsibility initiatives, Carol takes pride in the firm’s advises. “Set boundaries, know what you want, and
wanted to go into law, ever since I was in early high engagement with the Amaoti High School. “We’ve been make decisions that align with your goals.”
school — it seemed to come naturally to me.” This able to engage meaningfully and make a difference in a
desire led her to the University of KwaZulu-Natal small section of our society. It is exciting and humbling To young women entering the legal field, Carol
where she pursued an undergraduate degree in law to be a part of their journey,” she shares. The firm has emphasises that you need to know what you are
and graduated top of her class. Following her articles, provided support for the school’s matric camp, where prepared to sacrifice and for how long. “Some things
Carol returned to her studies to obtain notary and learners stay on the premises from August until the end can be sacrificed for a season, but others, if neglected,
conveyancer qualifications. of their final exams to receive intensive support from are gone. You’ve got to keep a clear head about what
educators and community members. In addition to you want and what you are prepared to do to get there,
Her academic achievements did not stop there. Carol providing essential items like mattresses and food, Cox then put your head down and work for it.”
was awarded the prestigious Clarendon Scholarship Yeats has funded a drama studio, helping the school
to study at Oxford University, where she completed introduce drama as a matric subject. Work-Life Balance
her master’s degree. “I still remember the first day we
were in orientation,” she recalls, “the Dean said to us, The firm has also funded a foundational reading Maintaining a work-life balance is no easy feat,
‘Look around, who’s sitting next to you. Make sure you educator, who works with learners struggling with especially in a demanding profession like law. For
remember their name. They might be a Nobel Prize literacy, ensuring they receive the support needed to be Carol, family is a priority. “You must make time for
winner one day’.” Carol stayed on in Oxford, working better prepared for their exams. “It’s a great initiative that the people closest and dearest to you,” she says, “and
at the university before returning to South Africa and makes a huge difference in uplifting the community,” ensure they know how much they mean to you.” In
embarking on a career in corporate law. she adds. addition, Carol finds that exercise helps her manage
stress and stay grounded. “I have a great group of
Striving for Balance Carol dreams of a better future for South Africa. “My running friends, and we’ve run the Comrades together.
biggest dream is for South Africa to pull together and It’s a great opportunity to get fresh air and take your
Carol’s professional life has been marked by a willingness overcome its challenges,” she reflects. “I want it to be mind off work by setting a new challenge.” This year,
to embrace change. “I’ve changed paths a few times,” a place where people want to live.” She is especially Carol pushed herself further by taking up lifesaving—a
she admits, “gone from litigation, to academics, to passionate about education reform, advocating for pursuit outside her comfort zone.
conveyancing, and then to property and commercial law, an holistic approach that provides children with more
which is where I find myself now.” At Cox Yeats, she likes to than just literacy and numeracy skills. “Education must In the future Carol’s goal is to remain agile and to
think that she has made an impact on the firm by bringing include sporting, cultural opportunities and a rounded be open to opportunity. “I have managed to do that
balance. “We have a great team of excellent attorneys, most experience,” she argues, “because that’s what will truly throughout my life, and I want to continue to follow
of whom are top of their game, world-class practitioners. change our country.” opportunities and to not stagnate,” she concludes.

Carol MCDONALD | 41