Gallie Miles Senior Legal Executive Kathryn Horton started her career out as an Office Junior almost 28 years ago and worked her way up to her current role. We catch up with her on her background and how she came to work at Gallie Miles.
Born and raised in Te Awamutu, Senior Legal Executive Kathryn Horton first got a taste of the office life straight out of high school.
“My typing teacher at College knew I wasn’t keen to do 7th form and the school was approached by a local firm looking for an office junior,” she says.
“I was selected from amongst 80 odd applicants, and I quickly realised that I like the office and legal work.”
Quickly promoted to a secretary, Kathryn worked for two partners while completing her legal executive papers.
“I’ve been working as a legal executive for the past 21 years, with the last 10 years as a Fellow of the Legal Executive Institute and a Senior Legal Executive,” she says.
“That’s over quarter of a century working in the legal industry!” she laughs.
Looking for a change in 2021, she joined Brent Kelly Law with the appeal of working for a niche firm.
“After having a chat with Alex (McIvor) we realised it was a great opportunity for both of us and things progressed quickly after that,” she says.
Brent Kelly Law merged with Gallie Miles in 2022, and Kathryn is now a valued member of the property team within Gallie Miles. She works across a range of legal matters, with particular interest in the farming industry.
“I have a passion for the farming industry and completing farm transactions and subdivisions,” she says.
“But I also work on all areas of residential and commercial conveyancing and general property matters.”
She says getting to know clients is the best part.
“I love building that rapport with clients, and getting to know their history and background,” she says.
“It’s great to be able to work closely with them and exceed their expectations – seeing the end results come together and how the clients appreciate that is a great feeling. It is especially satisfying working with first home buyers and seeing and hearing the joy they feel when they can move into their very own first home.”