While solicitor Shaynee Dennis has been practising law for five years, she’s been at Blumers Personal Injury Lawyers for a decade.
“One of my first jobs out of high school was as a go-fer in a national personal injury firm. I worked my way up to receptionist and then to legal assistant in the medical negligence field,” she says.
While climbing the career ladder, Shaynee always had an inkling that she wanted to be a lawyer.
She found herself drawn to cases of a medical nature because “I was learning something new every day, and just as no two patients are the same, each client’s case needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis”.
While working for another lawyer in a different field, it was Shaynee’s boss who recommended Blumers when she decided that personal injury was where she wanted to be.
“I was interviewed by Mark and Noor. Something that I immediately noticed, having worked for multiple firms before, was how personal Mark and Noor were in comparison. It was refreshing, their humour really came through at the interview.”
Even though there weren’t any positions open at the time, Shaynee’s experience caught the duo’s eye. “I don’t think I had made it to my car yet when they called asking how soon could I start,” she laughed.
From then on, Shaynee worked full-time as a paralegal, while also studying full-time earning her diploma in law.
For five years, she learnt the ins and outs of Blumers, and just why they came so highly recommended.
“Blumers started out as a family business. Even as they expand and grow, they have maintained that feeling, everyone in the office really supports one another” says Shaynee.
“The business of what we do is very serious, but since we’re dealing with real people out there, it’s important that we have real people in here whom clients can relate to.
“If you’re injured and require a lawyer, you’re already going through a very difficult time. On top of that, they are often dealing with doctors and specialists under time-pressure and, particularly in medical negligence settings, it unfortunately falls on the lawyer to break down what’s happened in terms that an everyday person can understand.
“And sometimes, people just want to be heard. At Blumers, we know what we’re doing, and we have the client’s best interest at heart – and Mark and Noor lead by example.”
Now, five years into her career as a solicitor, Shaynee is a key addition to the team; sought after for her straight-shooting practice, thoroughly preparing her clients “for the good, the bad and the ugly”.
“It is just as important that everyone is treated with kindness and patience, as it is that the client is fully informed.”
Shaynee is unmatched in her comprehensive understanding of how a law firm works, having worked within them from the ground up.
“It’s funny, at this point I’ve done most of the jobs in a firm other than partner, not yet at least,” she laughed.
“Every step before becoming a lawyer, as a legal assistant, as a paralegal, the hundreds of medical records I’ve read, and client conferences I’ve sat in on, the hearings I’ve been a part of, has given me so much exposure that I’ve been able to take into my own practice as a solicitor.”
For a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of Personal Injury practice, find Shaynee at Blumers Lawyers, Level 12, 15 London Circuit, Canberra City or call 6147 1410.
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