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You graduated in 2007, what have you been doing since leaving CCGS?

I deferred university and took a gap year after Year 12 and ended up working in Yulara (Uluru) and islands up in far North Queensland for 6 months. I saved up and then travelled around Europe and Asia for 6 months. 

I moved to Sydney in 2009 to study a combined law and communication degree at UTS which took 5 years full time. During my time at UTS, I travelled to The Netherlands and studied International Criminal Law at Leiden University working on matters at the International Criminal Court.

Whilst studying I worked as a researcher at Forbes Chambers for Senior Counsel, volunteered at the Redfern Legal Centre and worked at a fantastic little pub. After graduation and being admitted as a lawyer, I worked as the Associate to Justice Hamill at the Supreme Court. During that time, I also studied a Masters in International Law at UNSW part-time.

Since 2016 I have been working in the Aboriginal Legal Service advocating for disadvantaged First Nations people across New South Wales. I am currently a Trial Advocate based in Dubbo appearing in courts from Lightning Ridge to the north, Wagga Wagga to the south and Broken Hill to the west. 

Why law?

My time at CCGS really influenced my choice of career. I enjoyed participating in debating, public speaking and Amnesty International. I developed a strong interest in social justice and a passion for writing and public speaking which was fostered by my fantastic English teacher, Ms Henshaw. I think she had to put up with me for 5 of the 6 years of High School! Law, and criminal law in particular, is all of the things I loved and learnt at CCGS put into practice. 

What’s the hardest thing about your work?

The clients I am representing are often going through the toughest and most stressful time of their life. Tensions are constantly high and you have to work hard to not take it on. Often people charged with criminal offences have grown up without the advantages CCGS students enjoy. I represented an 11-year-old child who had no one looking out for him and was committing offences just so he could go into juvenile detention where he would be fed and have a bed. Days like that are heartbreaking.

What’s the best? What drives you to go to work and give it your best each day?

I really enjoy helping my clients by telling their story in Court. Often my clients are the unheard and forgotten members of our society and I enjoy putting their background into words. I love persuading the bench to accept my submissions and changing their mind. Cross-examining police officers is also very, very fun. 

How has the recent COVID-19 pandemic changed your industry?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the criminal justice system. The legal profession is very old school and the pandemic has really pushed the courts into the 21st century. Prior to March of this year the criminal courts did everything in person. We are now using AVL to conference clients from gaol and to appear in court from home. I do have concerns that the AVL appearances could detract from the humanity of the sentencing exercise. Sometimes it seems like judicial officers may find it easier to send someone to gaol for a longer amount of time if they are a figure on a screen as opposed to a person sitting in front of them. All in all it has been a big shake up and it will be interesting to see if the courts continue to embrace technology once the pandemic is over.

What’s next for you?

I hope to go to the Bar within a few years (becoming a barrister, not going to the pub, but the pub is also great). I’ll get to continue doing what I love with the added bonus of wearing a funny wig and Harry Potter robes. 

What advice would you give to students interested in going into law?

Don’t worry if you don’t get the marks to get into law straight from school. I worked really hard, probably too hard, because I thought if I didn’t get into law straight from school I would be a failure. I would say for around 80% of lawyers I know became lawyers after studying a different degree, transferring mid-degree or working in a different field. One of my best friends was a PE teacher before she became a lawyer!

The advice you would give your former high school self?

Make sure you are the hardest worker in the room, be friendly to everyone and most importantly be yourself. Also, try to stress less!