What did you do straight after graduating?
I took a deep breath.
Other than relaxing after the stresses of Year 12, I went straight to university in 2018. I studied a double degree in Laws and Global Studies at Australian Catholic University (ACU). In December 2022 I completed my courses at ACU.
During my time at ACU I had the opportunity to get practical legal experience. In mid-2018 I walked into a boutique law firm looking for a part-time position. I was privileged to work with that firm for four years as a law clerk. There, I worked on a variety of cases, including probate, wills and estates, real estate, commercial advice, cross-border transactions, general litigation, and appellate litigation files, and even two High Court of Australia special leave appeals.
At the end of first year, I also started interning with the eminent human rights barrister, Julian Burnside AO KC. Whilst working with Mr Burnside, I had the opportunity to work on a number of high-profile cases, involving human rights, commercial disputes, native title, and national security matters.
In early 2022 I moved to a global law firm (one of the largest in the world), specialising in insolvency and restructuring as a paralegal. In February 2023 I have started with that firm as a graduate and will later become a solicitor. Since starting at this firm, I have worked on many cases which are often on the front page of the ABC, the Australian Financial Review, the Age, and the Australian newspapers.
As a global law firm our clients are almost always based overseas, or we have to deal with the other side who are overseas. This means lots of late-night calls (sometimes on Christmas eve!), foreign laws, foreign documents, and different customs. As a result of these factors, it means that every single day has something new in store for me. We have the pleasure to work with clients in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, Japan, Singapore, Cyprus, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Canada, Poland, Malta, and quite often the United States.
How did you find the transition from Padua College?
The transition to ACU was made easier by finding a close group of friends at university in the very early days. I did this by being involved in the law students’ society. I also got involved in events like inter-varsity mooting competitions which built up a wide network across multiple year levels, and universities. These activities meant that I built a strong social circle very early. This was extremely important throughout my time at ACU, especially during the pandemic.
• What do you love about your career choice?
I love working in the law.
I love the challenge of dealing with failing businesses, when the stakes are high, and money on the line even bigger. We deal with multi-billion (even trillion dollar) companies, working to get the best results. We are always dealing on the cutting edge of transactions, litigation, and technology. There’s always something new and exciting happening when I walk in the door.
In the morning I will be responding to novel receivership disputes, in the afternoon preparing for appellate litigation in New South Wales, and in the evening working on documents related to some of the world’s most complex (and riveting) corporate failures. Sometimes I start the day looking at documents and issues in Australia, then move onto England, or India, then later focus on American issues, and finish in the Cayman Islands, each day is a journey around the world.
The constant problem solving can be tiring, but often the elation when a problem is solved beats any tiredness. I am also very lucky to work in a brilliant team, who make it fun to go into the office. We’re always having a laugh, getting stuff done, and solving problems. Often after a hard day’s work, a large group of juniors will head to our local pub in the city to wind down and relax. Having great people around you makes all the difference.
What are the challenges of your career choice?
Every day our clients pose some of the most difficult questions and problems to us, and then look at us for a solution. Being able to methodically work through complex, multi-jurisdictional, high-stakes problems is highly challenging, but more importantly, highly satisfying. We have the privilege of working on some of the biggest problems, which means finding the biggest and best solutions. In the morning some days look like they will be quiet, but you end up leaving after 1:00 am the next day (or later).
What or who has had the most significant influence on your career choice?
My parents have always been a significant influence on my career. They have encouraged me, and supported me to try new things, face challenges, and open my horizons.
Mr Burnside AO KC has also been a significant influence on my legal career. Since late in first year, I have had the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest barristers in Australia. Julian has been Senior Counsel on some of Australia’s most culturally, and politically significant cases – defending Alan Bond, the 1998 Waterfront Dispute, the MV Tampa Affair, acting for Bruce Trevorrow (the first and only stolen generation person to receive compensation), and various other high-profile cases. Learning by osmosis meant that I was able to pick up techniques, practices, and problem-solving methods which I use every single day.
During my time at Padua, I think that many teachers also led me to where I am. Mr Esman (Chemistry), Ms Summers (Maths), and Ms Martin (Legal Studies), each had a significant impact on my future career choice.
If you were to sum up what your time at Padua taught you, what would it be?
I think Padua taught me about independence, and how to be a self-starter. The reality is that a lot of other students are spoon fed at their high school, and so when they get to university, they’re left floundering without any idea of what to do. This has also had its benefits in my career too, where you have to be independent, but part of a team. It means getting across materials, preparing summaries, charts, etc., on your own initiative, so that when the team needs a particular view, or angle on an issue, you have the materials ready to go, saving valuable time and money.
What advice would you give to a student that is in their finishing years at Padua?
Take every opportunity you can. When faced with a choice, the worst answer (broadly) that you can receive is a ‘no’. Apply for that job you’re not yet qualified. Have a go. Try something new. See what happens. If something does not work out, that is ok. It’s always worth ‘a go’.
Do you still see or are friends with your mates from Padua?
Absolutely, I catch up almost every week with my best mates from Padua. I also often see others from Padua at other social events, or even just around the city. I enjoy running into people who I haven’t heard from in several years and learning about what they have been doing since Padua.
When you look back at your time at Padua, what are your overriding memories?
Aside from the bigger moments (first day of Year Seven, graduation, House carnival days, and exams) I remember the people and all of the exciting things we got up to at school.
What do you get up to in your spare time, what do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy spending time with my friends from university, from work, and from Padua. I also enjoy going to the local markets, exploring the area, and trying new bars and restaurants. Since finishing university, I have also really enjoyed getting my free time back – this means actually getting to read (for fun), exercise, travel, doing things around my apartment, seeing friends, and heading out and trying new adventures.
Along the way, what challenges have you hit personally or professionally?
Often to get into what is called a big law firm, you have to do what are called clerkships. These are extremely competitive 4–6-week internships with large firms where you are placed into a team and work with that team for the period. There are many rounds of interviews, quizzes, tasks, and events involved in being selected. In my fourth year I applied for quite a few and managed to make it through to the final round with four firms. Unfortunately, I did not receive an offer.
This meant that I had to find another way into a big law firm (like the one I am at currently). In December 2021 I applied for a solicitor position with the firm but asked for a paralegal position instead. I was incredibly lucky to have the paralegal role created for me, which also included a direct pathway to their graduate program. Not receiving a clerkship offer meant I had to re-assess where I wanted to go, and how I was going to get there. It meant I also had to be creative. Because I didn’t receive an offer, it meant that I ended up with a position better than I could have gotten through the clerkship program
Whilst at the time it was a huge challenge and disappointment, I was able to find a different pathway which was much better for me in the long run.
What is one of the highlights of your life so far?
Travelling across Australia and the globe has been an absolute highlight, be it Spain, Turkey, many Pacific Islands, the United States, the Caribbean, or New Zealand, all have been amazing. Whilst travelling recently, I went cave diving, with grey nurse sharks, and hundreds (if not thousands) of other fish, crays, and sharks in New South Wales! Through the twisting turns of the cave, it was a thrill to watch massive sharks peacefully glide over top of me, while avoiding sea urchins on rocks and enormous crayfishes in crevices in the cave.
