Pauline Vata worked in the NGO sector for a long time, honing her skills in running an organization. Then Covid happened and this was the crisis she had been waiting to start her own legal firm. But as she told the Corporate Juror, it was not a walk in the park given the requirements from the government to open and run her own law firm. Pauline is also quick to note that it does not matter whether the sector is male or female dominated, she says it is one platform, and it depends on who utilizes it better.
1: Give a brief history about yourself around law:
I am a human rights lawyer having practiced for the last 8 years. I studied law at University of Nairobi, then obtained a diploma at the Kenya School of Law. I am still pursuing a master’s degree in Human Rights from the University of Nairobi. I’m that lawyer that always champions for the causes of the most marginalized and it gives me such deep fulfillment. All through my early childhood, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer so I’m basically living my dream. I’m very passionate about what I do, having started my career in the non-profit sector working for an NGO advocating for socio-economic rights for the very marginalized in society. This was a very organic trajectory for my career having grown up in a household where my parents and extended family at large, always came through for the needy in the society.
The Social Justice space is very interesting and dynamic; working with people of diverse backgrounds requires not only skill but also patience and ability to solve problems. It also requires one to be open minded and network widely, skills I find useful in practice. Interestingly, during my time running the NGO, I learnt a very important attribute about dealing with people, it’s not enough to know the law, one should strive to understand the applicability according to the needs of the people. That was my turning point in understanding the importance of law in addressing social justice issues.
I now run my own Law Firm-Pauline Vata & Associates Advocates and the experience I got over the years has been very useful in helping me steer the firm in the right direction.
2: What does it take to start a law firm
a) At a personal level
Starting my own law firm was not in my immediate term goals, I thought I would be employed for a while longer. My ‘Aha’ moment came during the COVID period when we all went on lock down. I was happy with employment at the time but started craving a bit more of personal freedom and ability to make my own choices independently. Running a start up in Kenya is not easy, I chose to start small in terms of capital and scope otherwise I would have drowned myself in debt. My background was majorly in non-profit and switching to profit has been a welcome learning curve for me; it helps that I’m always willing to learn fast and get out of my comfort zone. With the uncertain economic times it’s important to set realistic financial goals and let the business grow organically with you.
b) In Kenya
Our country is not very kind to startups and especially for small businesses. The business regime is very rigid and the transition has not happened to embrace the dynamics of running a business in 2022. The costs of starting a business are very high compared to the returns one will get especially in the first few months after opening the business. For example, for one to start a law firm you require funds to register the firm, pay for a practicing certificate, get an office and furnish, take out an indemnity cover and so forth. These costs are very punitive especially for young lawyers. Hopefully the new Government will look into this and revise the costs downwards or scrap most of these requirements otherwise we will not have too many people willing to be entrepreneurs.
3: What business model are you running?
My law firm is a hybrid of both profit and non-profit. I have clients who pay and some who I take the work pro- bono. It’s always important to have a balance in your business. I am also very futuristic in my thinking; I know the law firm landscape will change in the next coming years and I am looking to position myself strategically in this evolving practice.
4: What area of the law does your law firm focus on and why?
My firm does a lot of work on conveyancing, I also take up consultancies especially geared towards policy review and analysis of laws and consult with NGOs on organizational development including development of Strategic Plans. I also work on human rights cases, especially those that focus on socio-economic rights. In the future I envision my firm to work more on social justice issues and mentor young lawyers on this subject matter. It is quite important and not too many law firms are doing it. I envision a future where I can offer residencies for young lawyers to learn diverse aspects of lawyering.
5: Law firms founded and run by women; paint this picture for us, and what is that space like.
Having run an NGO as a female CEO gave me a lot of confidence to open and run a law firm. The space is different given my law firm is for profit and the NGO was not for profit but some things are very similar. First is that nobody cares whether a firm is run by a female or not, you have to prove yourself equally as the male colleagues. It’s basically one platform and depends on who utilizes it better.
6: What is your law firm’s interface with technology to increase efficiency and cut on costs.
I have embraced tech at all levels, it makes my work very easy. From managing my office finances, to scheduling client meetings and also managing client files. I am paperless in a way and that helps me work from anywhere. I have also taken advantage of the role that tech has played in reducing personnel costs and increasing efficiency in my business.
7: What is your advice to anyone who would like or is looking to open their legal firm.
I would encourage them to go for it! It’s a very fulfilling journey with many learning lessons but one can always redefine what your law firm can look like. I’ve embraced a best fit approach other than one size fits all.
8: Your parting shot
Always follow your passion, one gets a happier and fulfilling life.
