Karen first joined Ward Keller in August 1988. She’s worked remotely and part time in stints but has never worked anywhere else in all that time.

‘There’s a bit of loyalty there, you could say!’ she said. ‘I guess I’ve grown up with Ward Keller.’

Karen said the firm’s culture hasn’t changed in all that time. ‘They’re such a wonderful group of people’, she said. ‘I’ve seen a few partners come and go, but the mentality and the feel of the place hasn’t changed.

‘I really do feel the partners have the staff’s best interests at heart and work hard to create a nice environment for everyone to work in. I love working here.’

Karen started off doing rounds then moved through the roles of paralegal, accounts clerk, settlements clerk and precedent development, eventually practising as a lawyer.

After taking leave to have children, she returned to do precedent development and is now the Practice Manager.

‘My job involves keeping an eye on the firm’s expenses and financial data, helping prepare monthly management reports, complying with Law Society requirements, and satisfying bank covenants and other workplace regulations, among lots of other things’, she said.

Karen has been in Darwin since 1986. She loves to play touch footy and has played with the same core group of girls for more than 25 years. She’s also a passionate Broncos and Queensland State of Origin supporter.