Page 29 - Tropic Magazine Issue 15

INDUSTRY • L AW

“We are very community minded roles Chris has taken on over the years. not take work home. If I have work to
and a major part of our firm ethos Chris is currently chair of committees do, it’s done at the office until it’s done.
is not taking the privileged position for the Anglican Diocese of North When I walk through the door at home,
we hold in society for granted,” Chris Queensland and president of Warrina the phone goes to silent and the emails
said. “We are the conduit between Aged Care Innisfail, having sat on the are ignored until the next day. My time
the community and the law and it’s board since 2012. is then totally devoted to my wife and
a role we take seriously. Everyone “The words of John F Kennedy in his son. I am a big believer in having about
in our office is encouraged to be inauguration address on 20 January 15 minutes of total uninterrupted quiet
part of a community organisation 1961 resonated with me from the day time first thing in the morning (and
outside of work and although it is I first heard them: ‘ask not what your usually with a cup of tea) to basically
not written anywhere, we do place country can do for you, ask what you can reflect and just enjoy the silence. If I am
high importance on that. We try and do for your country.’ This call to action unable to squeeze that in first thing,
help our clients as best we can in a for the public to do what is right for the then the day is off to a rocky start.”
sensitive, empathetic manner. At the greater good in selfless service to others Underpinning all of the work Chris
end of the day, a large part of what we has stayed with me and motivated my does in the law and the community
do is help people who often approach volunteer work in the community.” is his love for life in Far North
us in very traumatic, often desperate Queensland. Despite a stint working
circumstances. Clients really do feel in Canberra, Chris is proud of his
a sense of a relief just knowing that historical links to our region.
someone is there to bat for them We are the conduit “We really do live in a beautiful part of
- often when nobody else is - at a the world,” he said. “It is only until you
time when emotions are fragile and between the community live away from it for a while that you
thoughts are far from rational. We do and the law and it’s a role truly do miss and appreciate the natural
not judge our clients rightly or wrongly beauty that surrounds us. The people
for their actions - there are judges we take seriously. are fantastic and are my type of people
for that! Our job is to help and guide - no nonsense and straight down the
our clients through the legal process line. My family are all based in FNQ - I
and out the other end in a supportive, am fourth generation FNQ and my son
professional manner.” Apart from expanding his law firm is now fifth generation - and it is really
The types of clients and cases dealt with and working in a variety of community important for me to be close to them.
at Kahler Lawyers runs the length and roles, Chris and wife Michaela Practising in FNQ is really quite unique
breadth of our society. Chris explains: welcomed their first child, baby Hugh, in that we are all quite collegial and
“Our clients are from all walks of in September. supportive of one another in and out
life. We find that many people at one “Work life balance… what’s that?” Chris of business hours which makes the job
point or another in their lives will be jokes. “I must confess that over the that much more enjoyable. I am sure
confronted with a legal problem or years I’ve had difficulty getting my head you will be hard pressed to find a lawyer
issue – minor or major – requiring around that concept. Most of the time, in any one of the capital cities who
professional support and assistance. It it’s ‘work-work’ balance - I have never would share the same experience.”
is often the people you least expect who regarded what I do as ‘work’ but more
require the greatest help.” as a ‘passion’. In all seriousness though,
This passion for helping others runs my thoughts about work and tasks to MORE: kahlerlawyers.com.au
deep in the DNA of Kahler Lawyers, complete stay in the office when I walk or phone 1300 367 529
spear-headed by a range of community out the door at the end of the day. I do

29 • tropicnow.com.au