DE SILVA HEBRON STRONG AS EVER
The owner of a leading Northern Australia law firm is deeply touched by being reminded of one of the great laws of life: real men and women stand by you on good days – and stand even closer on bad days.
David De Silva, who founded Darwin based De Silva Hebron 30 years ago, almost died in September last year when he fractured his skull after falling over in front of family and friends at his home.
He lost nearly three litres of blood – blood literally poured out of his right ear.
“The paramedics were great,” David says. “They arrived within 10 minutes and stabilised me.”
His wife Wendy took control and an ambulance was soon racing him to Royal Darwin Hospital.
David spent four days in intensive care and then four weeks in a trauma ward.
The self-confessed workaholic was away from the office for two months.
The firm’s nine lawyers and six administration staff rallied round – they held a meeting, divvied up the work and united to see the crisis through together.
“Everyone has been magnificent. They were shocked at the news of my accident but rose to the challenge and showed that they are true professionals. I can’t thank them enough.”
He says one of the firm’s partners, Cassandra Mammino, who manages De Silva Hebron’s commercial division, stepped up to lead the company.
“She showed great leadership skills, but all the staff were fantastic. They all did an enormous amount of work to cover for me. It’s been marvellous to see them move forward and grapple with the most complicated work.”
The other lawyers are Peter Orr, Eesha Raut, Olivia-Grace Hill, Nick Dakis, Fiona Hashim and Kaysha Cogo.
Lauren Reiter, who was working on the front desk, excelled after being promoted to executive assistant to two solicitors.
And Kody Lambourne came back to work for De Silva Hebron after an eight-year absence.
“She has been fantastic, as if she’d never been gone.”
Two other PAs, Charithri Gunathilaka and Holly Glasgow, are also doing great work.
Financial administrators Wendy McQuillan and Kalpana Aryal continue to be the backbone of the firm.
De Silva Hebron has always had a strong team.
“I have always tried to treat everyone well and make work interesting for them.”
The firm covers a wide range of legal matters but is best known for its commercial work.
CONTACT
De Silva Hebron
47 Knuckey Street, Darwin City
NT 0800
(08) 8924 4944
(08)8 89 244 933
GPO Box 488 Darwin NT 0801
ntsolicitors@desilvahebron.com.au
desilva-hebron.com
