Where did you grow up? 

I’ve grown up in Sydney my whole life. I lived in the Hills area and was fortunate enough to attend The King’s School nearby. I went to law school at Sydney University while working part-time as a sports coach and private tutor (and travelling, playing sport and enjoying time with family and friends in my spare time). 

How did you get to your current job position? 

Like many other law students, I applied for clerkship positions during my penultimate year at university. I was fortunate enough to complete my clerkship at G+T during the summer of 2016/17 and returned as a paralegal the following year while completing my law degree. Prior to my graduate position in August 2018, I took 6 months to travel to Central America and Europe and complete my College of Law qualifications. Since then, I have worked full-time as a lawyer at G+T.   

How did you choose your specialisation?

I have always been interested in corporate law and business. Without any prior work experience, I used my clerkship, paralegal and graduate positions as an opportunity to really focus on whether this was something I wanted to build a career in. G+T was very accommodating and allowed me to rotate through several practice groups in the firm before settling in my chosen area. By the time I settled in the Corporate team, I had spent time in the Intellectual Property and Competition + Regulation groups at the firm. It was these experiences during my junior years that helped me decide corporate law was an area I was keen to pursue.

What was your interview process like? 

I was really relieved to find that the interview process at G+T was very informal. The partner interviewing me was genuinely interested in my background, interests and hobbies, so the interview process was more a conversation than anything else (rather than a pre-prepared set of questions). I also really respected how honest the partners were about what life was like working at the firm, and their genuine openness and willingness to answer any questions I had. I’m a big believer that the firm has to be as much a fit for you as you are for the firm. The interview process was a great way to find out if the firm was somewhere I was passionate about working and building a career at G+T was this place for me. 

What does your employer do?

G+T is a well-established, independent law firm which provides a full service offering to corporations and governments throughout Australia, and around the world. G+T advises on corporate transactions, regulatory and dispute matters, with clients including ASX companies, financial institutions, infrastructure and services providers and government authorities.  

Can you describe a typical workday? 

The typical day at work is difficult to capture in a paragraph as it is so different from day to day. The work is very dependent on the matters I’m working on. Currently, I am involved in a public transaction which involves demerging one aspect of a public company’s business into a separately listed entity. I am involved in preparing documents to effect this demerger, liaising with our client daily, attending and preparing for meetings with the Board, communicating with regulators and advisors and managing the implementation process.

What are the career prospects with your job?

Lawyers have such a diverse skill range that I believe are transferable to any business. With the experience at a law firm, lawyers could decide to move in-house or continue growing and building their career at the firm. There are also great opportunities to work overseas.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

The best thing about working as a lawyer is the different ways of approaching complex legal problems. In my experience, lawyers with different backgrounds and interests are invaluable, as they are able to draw on this background and experience to approach issues from a different perspective. All this contributes to a diverse workplace able to respond to new and arising challenges in the legal market.  

What would your career be if you weren’t doing what you’re doing now?

If I was not working in law or business, I would most likely be working in education. I am passionate about leadership and teaching and believe I could have a meaningful impact in this area.  

What do you love the most about your job? 

The best thing about my job is the responsibility and mental challenge it provides. Every day I am learning, gaining experience and challenging myself to grow as both a lawyer and a leader. G+T gives you a great chance to take initiative and responsibility. With this come opportunities to work with clients directly and deliver useful and commercial advice.

What’s the biggest limitation of your job? 

The nature of the profession and nature of the deals we are advising on means certain periods can be extremely busy and fast-paced. This is challenging at times but you find ways to manage yourself during these busy periods. G+T is also very flexible with its work practices.

Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student? 

1. I would definitely recommend students have interests and passions outside of their careers. The best and most successful lawyers, in my opinion, are people who are well-rounded, perceptive, interesting and diverse. Students should not feel pressured to start their career as soon as possible, so should take their university years to travel, play sport, develop hobbies and enjoy time with family and friends.
2. Students should also genuinely consider where their interests lie before deciding what they would like to do with their career. People who are passionate about their field will invariably enjoy their career which I believe makes you more likely to succeed and do well. The best advice I can give is to not follow the crowd – do what you would like to do. 
3. Finally, in the junior years of your career, focus on the things that are in your control – attitude, enthusiasm and preparation. While it’s important to become technically competent (which will come over time), people starting off their career should focus on being enthusiastic and prepared. Be someone who others can rely on and trust due to your work ethic, attitude and cooperative work style.