Margaret McCullough matriculated in 1983 at Westville Girls High School. She obtained her BA and LLB at the University of Natal, Durban. Between her BA and her LLB, she spent one year overseas, six months of which was spent as an au pair in Toledo, Spain.
Margaret was admitted as an Attorney in March 1993 after serving Articles of Clerkship in Durban.
She is now a senior director at J Leslie Smith & Company and specialises in the administration of deceased estates, the drawing of wills, formation of trusts and estate planning. She also attends to family law matters i.e. divorces; care and contact disputes.
Margaret is an active member on the Master's Office Liaison Committee, a committee set up by the Kwazulu-Natal Law Society to enhance the communication between the Durban and the Pietermaritzburg Master of the High Court offices. She also serves on the Estates Complaints Committee, a committee also established by the Kwazulu-Natal Law Society to deal with complaints against fellow attorneys in respect of deceased estate issues.
Margaret has an active interest in providing legal assistance to senior citizens and acts as the ombudsman to PADCA (Pietermaritzburg and District Council for the care of the Aged). She is also a member and Chairlady of the Emma Barter Committee, and a member of the Riverside Park Resident's Committee.
Her philanthropy extends further as a board member at Msunduzi Hospice and a member of their executive committee as well as their ethics committee.
Her personal interests lie in languages, being able to speak some German, and a basic working knowledge of French and Spanish.
She is married with two sons, and enjoys camping and the outdoor life. Margaret and her husband also have an interest in renovating houses, having renovated each of the houses they have lived in.
We wanted to find out a bit more about Margaret and especially the active practice that she runs so we caught up with her for a little chat.
What inspired you to become an attorney and an expert in the area of Estates?
Having obtained advice about what career would best suit my strengths I chose law ahead of journalism and social work. I moved into the estates department when Mr Patrick Leslie Smith retired as it was an area that interested me.
Describe a typical day in your working life?
I arrive at work between 7.00 and 7:30am. I deal with emails, chamber work and dictation until my first appointment of the day. The nature of my work involves seeing a lot of clients, both in and out of the office. I usually leave the office at approximately 5pm.
What has been the highlight of your career?
The highlights of my career have been being appointed as the first female director at J Leslie Smith & Company and the ombudsman for PADCA.
How do you balance family life and your career?
It is a continual balancing act. I have a husband and two school-going sons. When I am at work I endeavour to give my all to my work, and when I am at home, I endeavour to give my all to my family.
If you were not an attorney what would you have become?
I would have possibly become a social worker.
Has there been any funny incidents in your years of practice worth mentioning?
When I was a very “new” attorney I had to do a divorce for a lady who was married to a one legged tramp who couldn’t be found to serve divorce papers on him. (in forma pauperis). It was not exactly funny but it was certainly bizarre!
What is your mantra?
“Say but little and say it well!”