Combining personal satisfaction with business acumen to boldly go where few lawyers dare (ep 54)

Today’s guest, Sheetal Deo, wears many hats (it’s over-said, but true). She is the co-founder and President of Ethnic+, a not-for-profit that provides access to justice for the ethnically and linguistically-diverse Rainbow community and its allies. In the day time she works with Law students at QLS and in February of 2020 she became the fabulous, multi-faceted and ethically-driven owner of Shakti Legal Solutions.    Read on for more great content or, to really get to know this marvel of law and human life and where she’s coming from, listen to the podcast!  On the front page of Sheetal’s website is the slogan, “Lawyer by qualification. Advocate by choice,” and nothing could better sum up the attitude, or the movement, that she represents passionately throughout this episode. Embedded in her business model are several innovative ways of creating income while directly improving access for a community and, throughout our conversation, she gives a generously detailed rundown of each of her methods and how they work.  Some of the details that make Shakti Legal so unique:  * Charging different fees based on a client’s means, like a ‘pay-what-you-can’ supermarket * Low-bono, not pro-bono work * Reaching out to and working with other firms at discounted rates in exchange for their expertise   As well as being an advocate, Sheetal is a brilliant businesswoman, aided in part by her highly entrepreneurial brother who, I feel, deserves a shout out. What I really admire is her ability to find and know her niche, combining personal satisfaction with business acumen to boldly go where too few lawyers dare to.   She says: “I felt an obligation to actually do something with the degree I have, but also I wanted freedom. Remember, back in the day, when we wanted freedom?!”   I feel you, Sheetal. So many junior lawyers feel stuck on a conventional pathway and that is, after all, a big part of my motivation to make this podcast. We, as lawyers in general, aren’t the most progressive bunch and we tend to only make changes when we absolutely have to. Sheetal and I talk about what those changes might be in terms of freedom for ourselves, as people in the business of law, and for our clients.   Why not work remotely if the work can get done anywhere? Why not charge people based on what they can afford? Why can’t we collaborate with other firms, why do we have to be in competition with them? There are, without a doubt, myths to be debunked here and listening to today’s episode might just be a great starting point.   A summary of the topics we cover:  * Why it’s important to improve visibility of ‘non-conventional’ careers in law (traditional doesn’t = success). * Alternative law firm models and how they can improve access to justice for the many that can’t afford it * New, innovative ways of using your law degree to create income without sacrificing your morals  About our guest:  Sheetal Deo is first generation Canadian to migrant parents from Fiji with Indian ancestry. She came to Australia for law school and has been here since. She was admitted to legal practice in 2016 and after 3 years PAE worked towards opening her own firm, which she did in February this year.  Her ‘day job’ is with Queensland Law Society as the Relationship Manager – Future Lawyers, Future Leaders. The purpose of this role is to support law students in their journey from law school to lawyer and then in their f...