We are proud to be celebrating our tenth birthday this month.
The past ten years have seen our firm grow from strength to strength, but our core values remain the same.
When Kathryn and Melanie started Harriss Jones Lawyers they both had two main objectives in mind. With young children at the time they wanted to work at a firm that valued flexible working to balance their family lives and allowed them both to use their knowledge and experience without having to become slaves to billable hours. Their second objective was to grow a firm that valued its clients and could make a difference in those clients’ lives at times that matter most.
How it all began
Harriss Jones Lawyers’ first clients heard about us through word of mouth. It was very important to both of us that clients weren’t poached from former employers and that we didn’t receive any kickbacks for referrals. We wanted to make sure that clients came to our firm because they knew we did a good job, we are thorough in what we do and that we genuinely cared about them. This meant that it was slower growth at the start of our journey, but we have ended up with the most wonderful clients who appreciate that we don’t cut corners and have their best interests at heart.
Our business has been a true partnership from day one. In the early days we both worked from home. We would take turns meeting clients for appointments and attending business functions. One of us was often babysitter for the other person’s children before or after school so that we could meet with clients and get work completed on time.
Our Oyster Bay Office
Soon enough it became difficult managing a growing business from two different homes, so when a small office became available in Oyster Bay we jumped at the opportunity. The location was perfect and we had a professional office where we could meet with clients. This opportunity also meant that we could increase our team.
After three years our little Oyster Bay office could not accommodate us all, so we needed to start looking for something bigger.
Our Jannali Office
When an opportunity arose to secure a larger office in Jannali we went into action to plan our new working space. It was important that the space was calming and welcoming and not sterile like many law firms.
It was suggested that we incorporate planter boxes as workspace dividers to soften the area and make clients feel at ease. Whilst it has at times been a challenge learning how to keep so many plants alive, we have managed to do so and our clients often comment on how welcoming our office environment feels.
Our Current Team
Running a law firm is not only about our own personal legal growth and supporting our clients, it’s also about supporting our staff and providing a great opportunity to train and mentor younger colleagues.
Our current team includes:
- Kathryn and Melanie (founding partners);
- Annette Suann (Annette is a Certified Conveyancer with many years experience. After running her own successful business she decided that she wanted to enjoy a better work/life balance. Annette is passionate about training the next generation of Conveyancers and is always looking for ways to share her knowledge with not only our own staff but also by assisting other solicitors and conveyancers on the other side of our transactions);
- Sarah Murray (Sarah is our superstar who joined us after COVID lockdown and has in record time completed her Certificate III in Legal Practice, become a Justice of the Peace and is now well on her way to finishing her Conveyancing qualification at university); and
- Kathleen Field and Aurelia Fox (Both Kathleen and Aurelia are currently studying law at university and working with us part time whilst completing their studies. We are looking forward to sharing our legal knowledge with them and training them further as they begin their legal careers).
Helping you through the key milestones of life
Our motto sums up the many ways in which we can help our clients with understanding and compassion during the following events:
- A new baby (Great time to update your Will);
- Buying or selling your home (Conveyancing);
- Buying or selling an investment property yourself or through your SMSF (Conveyancing);
- Helping your children buy a property (Conveyancing);
- Buying or selling a business (Commercial Law);
- Entering into a lease (Commercial Law);
- Planning for future care of a loved one with a disability (Estate Planning, Disability Support Trusts);
- Getting ready for retirement (Estate Planning);
- Transitioning to Aged Care (Review of Aged Care Agreements and Retirement Village Contracts & Conveyancing); and
- The death of a loved one (Probate, Letters of Administration, Family Provision Claims).
We would like to thank our families, friends, staff, clients and other business partners for their support and encouragement over the past ten years. It’s been an incredible journey and one we are very proud of. We look forward to continuing to provide trusted legal services to those who matter the most, our clients.
With thanks
Kathryn & Melanie