An Estevan law firm has taken a step forward with the addition of a new partner.
Kathryn Gilliss is now a partner at the Trobert Gilliss law firm, the latest step forward for her in her career.
She started working the practice following her first and second years of law school. Then she started her articles there in June 2014, and after she was called to the bar the following year, she became an associate at the firm.
Every law office will have its own processes to become a partner, but for her, she said she considers herself fortunate to have found a great work environment so early in her career, and she has worked hard the past few years.
Gilliss went on maternity leave last year following the birth of her first child, and at the end of the leave, she and Trobert had a conversation that made partnering together for the long-term make sense.
“I’m very excited,” she told the Mercury. “It’s something that the moment you enter law school, that’s always in the back of your mind as a goal for most young lawyers. For me, it wasn’t even so much partnering in a firm, but finding the right firm or the right person to partner with.”
She believes it’s wonderful to have accomplished this so early in her career, and that Gilliss is happy to remain working with Trobert.
“We’ve been here for quite a while, and I think James would agree that we’re like a little family here,” she said. “We’re a smaller office, which has allowed us all to work together for a long time, and we all work together really well. It makes it all that much sweeter that it’s really cemented to be a long-term thing now.”
Trobert said he is excited to have her as a partner.
“The year that she was off on mat leave, it’s hard working alone, so it’s nice to have another person at the office to bounce things off of, and to cover for you,” said Trobert.
Gilliss compared being a partner to owning and operating the business, and that’s been the biggest transition for her. It’s also meant a change in responsibilities, as she now has to worry about more than just her clients.
Trobert said the arrangement has worked out well. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped, though, as it arrived in Saskatchewan shortly after Gilliss became partner, but they have adjusted.
“It’s been really good the last couple of months here, so kudos to her that she’s worked hard and rebuilding her clientele after mat leave,” said Trobert.
The law firm has three support staff, and Trobert’s wife Doris handles the bookkeeping.
Trobert Gilliss is also in a new home, at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Fourth Street – a building they share with Century 21 Border Real Estate Service. It’s proved to be a great move, because they have more space, and so they can do their work and adhere to social distancing. Trobert expects they will be able to better serve the needs of their clients.
