Episode 215 – Creating space to live the life you desire with Jenna Du Preez

The Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast

In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing criminal lawyer Jenna Du Preez. Jenna is practicing from the North Queensland town of Mackay and in this interview we discussed the many advantages that Jenna has encountered since establishing her firm in that region. Jenna launched her own business at the beginning of 2020, just before everything turned upside down, so it was really fascinating to hear how Jenna navigated her very new business through those early months of lockdown when Courts were not hearing matters and things were at a bit of a standstill.

When she is not being a lawyer, Jenna is hanging out with her 2 beautiful daughters and family. I had a good chuckle hearing how fishing is not at all on Jenna’s list of things to do even though it is a hobby for many in her local area! And I think my favourite part of this interview was hearing how Jenna has built herself a business in law that enables her the best of both worlds- the ability to do the work she really enjoys but in a way that enables her to be with her family in the way she wants to be.

In this interview, Jenna Du Preez and I also chatted about-

• Jenna cannot imagine herself as anything but a lawyer, except for perhaps a chef.
• She grew up west of Mackay in sunny Northern Queensland and moved to Brisbane to attend Griffith University where she fell right into the city life.
• The drawcard to law for Jenna and how she came to find herself in the world of Criminal Law and found her way back to Mackay.
• Jenna’s time working for probation and parole which, sparked her interest in the psychology behind criminal offences.
• After working in the criminal defence space she had her two children and sought balance in her legal career.
• Jenna opened her own firm ‘Valiant Lawyers’ right at the end of 2019, just before the COVID lockdowns.
• The human psychology that sits behind behaviours and Jenna’s perspective on defending criminals.
• The aspects of Criminal law that Jenna enjoys and, what keeps her passion going in this difficult field.
• We discuss the Domestic Violence space and the changes we have seen over the recent past and, the changes that still need to be made.
• Jenna shares what she loves about working for herself as a solopreneur.
• The gifts that 2020 gave us in the legal space and the change in perspective towards working from home.
• A day in the life of Jenna as a working mother of 2 and a reluctant fisherwoman.
• The culture of overwork and the law and managing those self expectations.
• Jenna’s advice top tips for those considering stepping out and starting their own business.
• Criminal Law has only recently become a more female-driven landscape and Jenna’s experience of harassment in this space.
• Jenna is a living, breathing example of the change that is possible for women in the legal industry and the opportunities that are now accepted by the broader profession.
• Humour, play and fun and their contribution to happiness as a lawyer.
• Jenna’s Happiness Tips.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Jenna Du Preez.

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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre- A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.

Listen to last week’s episode here

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