“We’ve got the advantages of working in a small legal firm. I think it’s the small ones that do the most decent work, but it’s also the work that I enjoy,” says solicitor DARYN GRIFFITHS.

Initially pursuing a career in science, Daryn Griffiths’ introduction into law was almost entirely coincidental.

“I actually started off in science, and I worked in a small-medium sized enterprise for 20 years. It just so happened that I ended up being the lawyer for the firm,” he says.

From there, Daryn went back to school to study law and accounting. He says his different start has been a great asset to his current work at Capon & Hubert Lawyers & Mediators.

“Because I was in a small business myself, we were part of the management team, so we saw the day-to-day dealing with supply chains, leases and building expansions,” he says.

His experience before entering law, Daryn says, has been a “monumental help” in his ability to assist the public.

“I’ve been where these [clients] have been,” he says.

“[The team are] all in our 50s and 60s… This gives us life experience as well as legal experience.

“One of the primary advantages of Capon & Hubert is that experience. It’s compassion through previous life and legal experience. You probably won’t be able to come to us with a non-criminal matter that one of us hasn’t gone through already.”

Daryn spent his teenage years in Canberra, eventually drifting back home with his family to settle down.

“I chose Canberra to practise law and to raise my family,” he says.

“I particularly love being half an hour from the bush, two hours from the snow and two hours from the coast. It’s fantastic.

“I enjoyed growing up here, my kids have enjoyed that as well.”

Canberra’s ideal destination isn’t the only reason he chose to practise law here, preferring the cosiness and personalised approach he can take with his clients.

“I like the fact that it’s not as big or as busy as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane,” he says.

“We’ve got the advantages of working in a small legal firm. I think it’s the small ones that do the most decent work, but it’s also the work that I enjoy.

“I like working in boutique law firms.I particularly like being in a collegiate environment.”

Daryn says working in Canberra is similar to working at Capon & Hubert, preferring the community approach to law.

“We’ve got a small number of lawyers and specialists in each area and we’re constantly in each other’s offices,” he says.

“I can go and talk to [Ken Hubert] about matters and he’s in my office all the time asking me questions.

“We can cross-pollinate and have a meeting of the minds while still having our own areas of speciality and responsibility.”

Daryn says it’s this sense of family and cohesion that makes Capon & Hubert so enjoyable to work with.

“We all go down and have a coffee every Thursday morning and talk for half an hour or so about what legal issues we are currently facing.”

More often than not, Daryn says, someone might have a solution or new way to look at a problem.

A close connection between clientele and staff isn’t just important, Daryn says, it’s critical.

Situated in Phillip, the heart of the southside community, Daryn says it’s important that the firm’s location is accessible and easy to find.

“I don’t always keep nine-to-five hours. If clients need me at eight o’clock at night, I’m here. A lot of them have their own shows to run, so they often come and see me at six or seven o’clock. I do the vast majority of my work after hours, because that’s when they can get here,” he says.

“You can’t do that in a mall.”

Lawyer by day and cub scout leader by night, Daryn says the cub scout motto HOP (Help Other People) bleeds into his professional life.

“I know that’s where satisfaction and happiness comes from,” he says. “By helping others.”

“The ability to look after these folks who are out there on the cutting edge, is a joy.

“We are there to catch them when they fall.”

Capon & Hubert Lawyers & Mediators, first floor 32-38 Townshend Street, Phillip. Call 6152 9203 or visit chsol.com.au