Help! What can I do with my law degree...

Published from the original

Story: Wenee Yap
September 27, 2007

You know the feeling. It's past one in the morning, you're wrestling to write the last thousand words of a law essay due the next day. As you reach for your fifth cup of straight shot espresso, three questions strike you: Why am I doing this? What will it lead to? Will it be worth it?

Now in its third successful year, the UTS:LAW Careers in Law lectures are held to answer just these questions. Featuring two categories, alternate law careers vs. traditional law careers, the lectures covered legal pursuits ranging from barrister, journalist, academic, diplomat, corporate lawyer, mediator, publisher, parliamentary researcher and community lawyer.

Jason Chai - Graduate Trainee, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

"I started out in law school thinking that I wanted to work in a big law firm," said the assured and fiercely intelligent Jason Chai. After completing a summer clerkship, and a stint as an Australian Youth Ambassador in Beijing, Chai applied to DFAT's graduate programme, which offers trainees diplomat postings in one of Australia's 95 overseas missions. The expectations were immense. "Within a month of joining the department, I was overseas in a negotiating forum," said Chai.

Career Tip: "When you have a law degree, you start to become cynical; you start to question the underlying assumptions. Intellectually curious, analytical people willing to get under whatever the key message is, able to communicate concisely and work within small team environments - that's what DFAT wants."

Nicole Simon - Lawyer, Finance Group, Minter Ellison

Nicole Simon, former Minter Ellison summer clerk cum graduate solicitor of the top tier law firm, took a more direct route to her current career. "No day at Minters is ever the same," Simon said. Her work delves in intellectual property, banking and finance "on quite a grand scale"; her clients included global 100 companies and major banks. "Working in a big firm gives you a lot of opportunities: whether you shoot for partner, branch off as in-house counsel or gain appointment as a company secretary or director, the world is your oyster."

Career Tip: "Being able to manage, adjust and prioritise your work is obviously an important skill."

Wendy Grey - Consultant, Tax and Legal Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Wendy Grey decided against the big law firms, preferring the internationalist aspect of multi-national professional service firms. "Even if you start in one area, you can move around internationally. This is one of the best advantages of the professional services field." Promotion is swift for the gifted. "I expect to move to senior consultant next year. I don't know any law firms where that could happen."

Career Tip: "Remember the 70:30 rule: if you can see yourself enjoying your work 70% of the time, that career might be for you.

Emma Palmer - Graduate, Private Bank, Macquarie Bank

A typical day for Emma Palmer, Private Banker for Australia's eminent Macquarie Bank, might begin with an analysts meeting at 7.45am, reviewing a co-investment deal by mid-morning and meeting with a hedge-fund manager in the afternoon. "Its pretty varied, and that's whats really fantastic about it. I work really closely with the head of the private bank, with really senior people throughout the organisation."

Career Tip: "During the interview process, I found the questions I was asked were really broad ranging. Marks are really only one part of the puzzle."

Chris Merritt - Legal Affairs Editor, The Australian

UTS Alumni Chris Merritt, journalist since his high school days, has now achieved the grail for many Journalism/Law students: Legal Affairs Editor for The Australian.

"It's a very fulfilling job. If theres a story that's happening, it's my job to be on top of it. It's like riding a rollercoaster: the events dictate what you do. You've got to be prepared to work very quickly. What you write appears in print, and if you make a mistake, the world will let you know about it. You have your finger on the pulse. It gives you an opportunity to influence legal policy, legal developments to an extent that most lawyers will never experience. You know. You have the luxury of knowing things most people would never know."

Career Tip: "Write. Write as much as you possibly can. Get it published wherever you can. It's an extremely competitive game. The technical craft of writing will determine success or failure. The legal overlay simply gives you the ability to determine what the important issues are."

Lesley Townsley - Academic, University of Technology, Sydney

Lesley Townsley moved between professions as varied as drug/alcohol abuse counsellor, chef and library technician before settling in her current career as a legal academic. Her work is two-fold: teaching and research. "This is the best job I've ever had. My potential isn't inhibited: I've been doing this for four years, and I'm fully encouraged and supported to reach my potential."

Career Tip: Community service, teaching experience and published academic work are essential. "I was really lucky as a student: I was invited to work with 5 academics on 7 research projects as well as some general research. My advice: if you write a really good essay as a student, try and get it published."

Margot Morris - Lawyer, UTS Community Law Centre

Former Freehills high-flyer Margot Morris found her way into the funding challenged but emotionally rewarding world of community law centres via an unlikely route: a five month pro-bono secondment at the Kingsford Community Law Centre. "Community lawyers are really focused on promoting human rights, using the law to help the most disadvantaged members of our community," said Morris. Her clients, often from non-English speaking backgrounds or with mental health issues, cannot qualify tests for Legal Aid, nor afford a private lawyer.

Career Tip: Volunteer in one of NSW's 35 Community Legal Centres.

Justin Raine - Barrister at Law, Henry Parkes Chambers; Alexander Street SC Barrister at Law, Seven Wentworth

Servants of all, yet of none, so goes the barrister's motto. "Barristers are sole practitioners", said Justin Raine, junior barrister. "It's a blessing, it's a curse sometimes. You answer to no one but yourself and your reputation." As of August, former UTS student Alexander Street SC will have been a barrister for 25 years. "It's an extraordinarily satisfying career: rewarding but very demanding. You are, in essence, in control of your own destiny."

Career Tip: "In Sydney, there are 2000 barristers, enough work for 1000 and it's done by 500," said Raine. "There's no set pathway to the bar, but be prepared not to make money for the first year."

John Hartigan - Director, UTS Legal Services

"I've been a litigator, family lawyer, property and commercial lawyer and in-house counsel. If you're after glamour, the big money, the flash car, you probably should head for the major firms. There is a price to be paid, of course," said Hartigan. "You don't see the kids. I once worked for 16 weekends in a row. There's no work/life balance."

"In-house counsel is an area that's building up. UTS employs four solicitors. Financially, your salary sits between small firms and big firms - though top end senior counsel at BHP does get paid very well."

Career Tip: "Choose well and choose wisely. Research shows you won't stay in the same job. What you will take with you from each job is an incredible experience that will serve you well. Even at a junior level, there are many jobs advertised in Seek, or the Friday Law section of the Financial Review."

Jean-Marcel Malliate MDR - Principal Mediator, InterMEDIATE Dispute Management

"I work as a mediator and also a family dispute resolution practitioner," said Malliate. "Mediators tend to come from the law, social work and psychology. It's often what lawyers do 'as well', though some in-house dispute resolution officers earn $60,000-$70,000.

"Mediation is about helping people get their needs met but firstly asking them and listening to what those needs are. It's about peaceful resolution."

Career Tip: "For fresh graduates, look into sessional opportunities with organisations like Relationships Australia, Centercare, LEADR and Unifam."

Gareth Griffith - Senior Research Officer, NSW Parliament Research Service

As a senior research service officer, UTS:LAW graduate Gareth Griffith delves into two roles: individual research requests by NSW MPs and publishing research papers on topical issues such as his recent co-authored work, 'Protecting Children from Online Sexual Predators.' "Most Parliaments have some research service. Our NSW team consists of 6 research officers, four of whom are from legal backgrounds."

Career Tip: "For lawyers, there's a lot of work within parliamentary committees, the main career path for research officers."

Susan Quinn - Product Manager, Thomson Legal & Regulatory Ltd

As a Product Manager for renowned legal publisher Thomson, Susan Quinn spends most of her time editing or liaising with authors. "I started off in 2001 as an electronic editor, while I still studying Journalism/Law here at UTS," said Quinn. "If you're more interested in academic works and writing, this could be the area for you. Youre given a lot of freedom to put forward your own ideas."

Career Tip: "Entry level editor roles exist in law journals and law reports, leading to positions as senior editor or in commercial product management."