Naomi Williams of Lyon ONeale Arnold Law Firm
Each week we chat to a local woman about her work. Naomi Williams says her workplace - "family-friendly" Lyon O'Neale Arnold law firm - makes a big difference to the support she gets as a working mum.
Name: Naomi Williams.
Job title: Solicitor.
Company: Lyon O'Neale Arnold Lawyers, 40 Willow St, Tauranga.
What does your job involve?
As a solicitor in a general practice firm, I work in many areas of law. I concentrate in areas of family, property, trust and estate planning. The majority of my time is spent giving clients legal advice after assessing what my clients' needs are.
What's the most challenging aspect of your role?
The law profession is known to be challenging and also high pressured. The most challenging aspect of my role is actually balancing work and family. As any working parents will know, it's a huge juggling act. I am lucky that I do work in a family-friendly firm which has made a difference in terms of the support I receive. I get to be a mother but still pursue my professional career.
What's your proudest work moment?
It is always a proud moment for me when I negotiate and settle a matter for my client. Often clients can be feeling vulnerable, uncertain and stressed when dealing with their personal matters. It is rewarding to resolve my clients' affairs and know that through your hard work you have enabled them to move forward with their lives.
What training/experience have you had to prepare for your role?
I completed my law degree at Waikato University in 2011. During my studies I worked full-time as a national travel co-ordinator for a corporate company and studied in the evenings. I had to be organised and plan ahead for this busy role, have an eye for detail and a high level of customer service. I use all of this experience in my current role.
Eventually, I left that role to study full-time. Once I completed my law degree (with a child and new baby in the mix) I then completed a professional's course. This is a standard requirement for entry into the legal profession. While I completed this, I secured work experience at Lyon O'Neale Arnold and I was a qualified solicitor by 2012.
I am also the co-founder of a non-profitable organisation for female surfers in the Bay of Plenty, which has a charity focus of giving back. I have learnt a lot from my involvement in setting up this organisation also.
What's the best piece of career advice you've received?
If you can always make constant, never-ending improvements in everything you do, you will be one step ahead. I am results based, so I relate well to this career advice.
What's the most important thing your current role has taught you?
To always appreciate my work colleagues. Earlier this year, we lost a director who unexpectedly passed away. He was an exceptional professional who was extremely dedicated to his staff. Life can be short so I have learnt to really appreciate my work colleagues and what they contribute to my professional development and personal growth.
How would you describe your work wardrobe?
Two words: comfortable and practical. Being comfortable is a must. As a working mother I always look for fabrics that are low maintenance and that do not require ironing.
The fabric must be able to wipe clean, too, just in case my 4-year-old stamps me with something just before I walk out the door (it's normally food or sunscreen). Most of my work wardrobe is made up of Kilt clothing, who are located in Tauranga.