What's your job about?

Working as a Graduate at Hamilton Locke, a law firm specialising in corporate and commercial matters, means my role encompasses work in various practice areas. So far, I’ve been involved in fast-paced and exciting work supporting the equity capital markets sector in the Corporate team as well as playing a part in facilitating renewable energy projects in the Property team. 

A day in the life with the Corporate team might involve drafting and verifying documents required for a company’s capital raising which allows it to offer its shares to the public on the stock exchange. In the Property team, the work involves coordinating due diligence and paperwork for large-scale renewable energy developments so that project proponents can legally build and have rights for land access to the site. Every day is different and there is ample opportunity to be exposed to other practice areas. 

The most interesting thing for me is seeing how everything unfolds behind the scenes for big transactions. You learn the intricacies of what people might be wary of in an M&A deal, how large businesses work and what their key drivers are - whether that be an external influence (such as a newly mandated legal requirement), or internal (perhaps to rebrand with a different market & board strategy).

What's your background?

I was born in the city of Hong Kong and moved to Australia when I was 5 years old. I’d say this was my first cultural transition and a defining moment in my life in which I was able to learn more about the cultural diversities of the world. Throughout university, I had a keen interest in global interactions and was lucky enough to be able to study abroad in Belgium and work as an intern in Vietnam. 

After graduating in 2019, I took a ‘gap year’ in Yokohama, Japan, working as an English instructor. Before I knew it, one year turned into almost four incredible years. I learnt so much about myself and how to embrace cultural and individual differences. Teaching in Japan wasn't just a job - it was a chapter of life that taught me about the art of communication and the importance of understanding different viewpoints - skills that are now intrinsic to my approach to work.

A renewed eagerness to challenge myself drew me back to Australia to start a career relating to my legal studies. I was fortunate enough to complete my PLT and become admitted to the profession in 2024. Securing a Graduate position at Hamilton Locke has enabled me to continue challenging myself, and to never stop growing and learning. 

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Absolutely, anyone can step into this role with determination and the right mindset. Law is a broad field which benefits from there being a variety of viewpoints and backgrounds.  Having a unique approach to learning, an ability to understand and empathise with various situations and also problem-solving, that sets you apart.

What it really takes to succeed as a lawyer is to have a passion for continuous learning, resilience in tackling complex challenges, and the drive to seek solutions. Open communication, sharp attention to detail, and the ability to stay organised are also key. Believe in your capacity to adapt and grow, and you will find that what seemed too difficult can become your next great achievement.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The aspect of my job that I find most fulfilling is having the opportunity to contribute to tangible outcomes, for example in drafting parts of an agreement that will help put things into action or facilitating agreements that go towards sustainable, clean energy solutions. No matter how small the piece of work is, it becomes part of a larger legal landscape. It is rewarding to see how my efforts contribute towards impactful work, even as a Graduate lawyer.

What are the limitations of your job?

In the early stages, your responsibility will develop as you start gaining more experience. Workloads are manageable, however, there will be times when you will need to work after hours, particularly when facing tight deadlines or client demands. The biggest limitation for me is the unpredictability around work hours which can result in having to cancel personal plans last minute or occasionally working back late. 

This can impact personal commitments and make it challenging to uphold a consistent schedule when it comes to family or caregiving responsibilities. Navigating this challenge will involve finding the right balance between work and being able to set boundaries in order to fulfil your personal commitments (which is more difficult in a junior role). 

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

• Stepping outside of your comfort zone is a tough but solid way to develop yourself. More often than not, you will discover something you are passionate about or a talent within you that you never knew existed. 
• Take the time to practice self-awareness and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. There is always room for growth, and keeping this in mind will allow you to approach things in a less daunting way. Being able to learn from your mistakes is vital for growth. 
• Learn to separate constructive feedback from internal or external ‘noise’. Remind yourself that critiques or setbacks are not a reflection of your self-worth and you can always take something useful away from such experiences.