Shaping my own career in dispute resolution
The first few years – re-mastering the skillset
When I moved to JWS from an international law firm, I was building on some solid learnings. That said, I realised that to grow further, I would need to shed some habits and re-learn some of the fundamentals that I thought I had already mastered (for example, drafting lengthy and complicated advices and managing the fast-paced day-to-day nature of large-scale proceedings!).
Thankfully, at JWS, I was in the perfect supportive environment to do that. I worked directly with two very experienced partners who were relatively new to the firm themselves. The years that followed were some of the most challenging and rewarding years of my career. I took on work that stretched me, work that I had never done before. I became responsible for my matters, rather than just a “cog in the machine”.
I was expected to have my own views about strategy and to add value in my matters. I made mistakes and learnt from them. I built my craft. I owe this to the partners and senior lawyers that I worked closely with, for taking a “hands-on” approach to my development in this period and exposing me to new experiences that were outside of my comfort zone.
Progression to Senior Associate – shaping my own environment
After three years as an Associate, I was keen to move into a role that would enable me to start to shape my own environment and build a team around me. I knew that I wanted this role to allow me to lead initiatives about which I am passionate. The firm was extremely supportive. The Brisbane partners gave me a huge amount of scope and I was able to take charge.
I am coming up to my fifth year at the firm and I could not be happier with my role. As well as assisting the partners to build the Brisbane disputes practice to triple its size, I have been given the opportunity to lead a number of programs that I really enjoy, including:
- the Brisbane Pro Bono practice, which now regularly contributes to a large legal clinic, and
- a practical skills workshop for Brisbane graduates, which is now in its first year of being rolled out nationally.