1. When did you work at MinterEllison and what was your role?
I worked at MinterEllison from February 2009 until December 2013. Initially I worked in a part-time knowledge management role in the HR&IR group and that subsequently developed into a business development role with the occasional piece of billable work! At the time I was also building my career as a non-executive director in the not-for-profit health sector so it was an unusual combination of roles, but the roles seemed to complement one another and certainly worked for me. I was responsible for making sure our weekly internal practice group meetings were topical, interesting and well organised and that the work of the group was properly captured in our various knowledge management databases. As my role expanded, I moved into some aspects of strategic planning, client relationship management and business development for the HR&IR group. I delivered and facilitated external and internal presentations on a range of topics including work health and safety, officers’ duty of due diligence, corporate governance, risk management and directors’ duties. I particularly enjoyed working on the training program for graduate lawyers in the group which was known as “Working Class” - I was always envious that I had not had a similar program available to me as an articled clerk in a very small firm!
2. What were some significant matters you worked on during that time?
I inherited some knowledge sharing platforms that were coming to the end of their life, so one of the bigger projects I worked on was establishing and moving the vast knowledge management collection of the HR&IR group onto the (at the time) new Quad shared platform. Working successfully on the first AHPRA national tender is also a project which stays in my mind.
3. How did your time/experience at MinterEllison prepare you for subsequent roles?
I think because I worked on such a range of projects with so many different people it gave me confidence that I could turn my hand to almost anything! Having a broad skill set and confidence about working on things outside your comfort zone is excellent preparation for a General Counsel role. My work with the Practice Group meetings, graduate training and client presentations certainly gave me great insight to how to communicate effectively, to gauge what clients are really interested in and what makes a great presentation - all of these insights have been helpful, particularly in my current consultancy role.
4. What brought you back to MinterEllison?
Two main drivers: the first was the offer of a really interesting and for me, challenging, role as a consultant in the national health team which complemented my board roles, the second driver was the opportunity to work with people I respect and admire. The flexibility of the role was also attractive to me.
5. What are some of the unique qualities about MinterEllison that kept you engaged as an alumni?
It’s always the people that keep you connected! I stayed in contact with many MinterEllison friends and in my General Counsel role I knew that I could pick up the phone to any number of people in a crisis. I particularly enjoyed staying in touch with graduates and research clerks who I had worked closely with – it was great to see them progress inside (and outside) the firm.
6. Was there someone at MinterEllison that shaped your career?
I will always be grateful to Michael Tehan, Partner in the HR&IR group for offering me the initial knowledge management position and recognising my “generalist” skills as being valuable!
Michael also encouraged me in my various board roles and taught me the value of a broad and deep network. It has been a privilege to work with Amanda Watt, Partner and Michelle Power, Partner in my various roles – past and present. Apart from being great friends to me, they are superb lawyers, team builders and just fabulous female role models. Other colleagues and dear friends such as Anthony Loschiavo, Knowledge Manager, and Jane Doolan, Associate Director have always been supportive and generous in sharing their skills, their knowledge of how the firm works (often a mystery to me in my early days) and their excellent judgement based on their very high emotional intelligence!
7. What advice would you give a fellow alumni who might have recently left the firm?
Make a true effort to keep all your MinterEllison professional connections and more importantly, your friendships, alive as these are an invaluable part of your network and you never know where and when opportunity will arise as your career develops.
