What's your job about?

I'm a lawyer at Thomson Geer, an Australian law firm with offices across six capital cities, delivering legal expertise in all areas of commercial and corporate law. I'm currently rotating through the Intellectual Property, Technology and Regulatory Team in the Adelaide office and will complete a second rotation in another team before settling into a practice area. 

My role as a law graduate and now lawyer in the team is multifaceted and dynamic, reflecting the diverse clientele and comprehensive services offered by the firm. The firm's broad client base includes government departments, corporate entities and individuals. A significant aspect of my work has involved trade mark and copyright issues which has included drafting submissions to government bodies and correspondence to other firms and entities, as well as advising clients on niche regulatory issues which required a deep-dive into various legislative instruments. I have also collaborated with the Brisbane team on a matter for a high-profile international client, demonstrating the cohesive culture of the firm and its ability to cater to all, irrespective of location. 

I have also been engaged in the creation and delivery of Continuing Professional Development presentations and seminars both internally and externally in the privacy law, artificial intelligence and cyber security spheres. 

What's your background?

I was born in Ethiopia, but I've spent the majority of my life in Adelaide. I attended high school at Mercedes College and undertook Year 12 topics in English, maths and sciences. After completing high school in 2016, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Medical Science at Flinders University with aspirations of attending post-graduate medical school. Towards the latter part of my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a different career path in the law.

Following the completion of that degree, I studied a Bachelor of Laws (post-graduate entry) at the University of Adelaide. While undertaking my law degree, I enrolled in a wide variety of electives, including Medical Law, Intellectual Property Law, Family Law and Human Rights Law, in order to garner a well-rounded legal foundation and explore areas of interest before entering the workforce.

During my studies, I held several part-time and casual roles in hospitality and administration. In the winter break of my final year, I was fortunate enough to partake in an internship in the legal services branch of a Victorian Government department. This involved relocating to Melbourne for a month and working in public law and freedom of information. I was also working part-time at the Adelaide Magistrates Court in final year, which is where I developed an interest in dispute resolution and what ultimately led me to applying for an Associateship at the District Court of South Australia.

I participated in the summer clerkship program at Thomson Geer in November/December 2022 in the Property Law team and was offered a graduate role to commence in March 2024, upon the completion of my Associateship. 

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Definitely! The firm employs a diverse team with varied backgrounds, skill sets, and specialized expertise. For example, among the six current graduates in the Adelaide office, four have completed a second degree in health and medical sciences, one in economics, and one in languages. Much of the reason the firm has managed to foster its culture is due to the diversity of its staff. Other than having the mandatory law degree, anyone interested in applying for the role should bring with them an open mind and the ability to collaborate well with others. 

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The firm's culture. The firm creates an environment in which employees can thrive, including ensuring graduates receive well-rounded training in multiple practice areas and encourages the desire for growth in both professional and personal life. 
I've joined the firm's Social Club, which includes staff ranging from graduates to partners, with the aim of organising events to foster sociability and camaraderie as well as promoting external networking opportunities. These events and initiatives include activities such as bowling, lawn bowls and galas, as well as charity events alongside other firms and industry bodies.

What are the limitations of your job? 

One aspect of my work that I initially struggled with was time keeping. Continuous time keeping is something I hadn't had much experience with in the past and remembering to set timers for each task was something that took a couple of weeks for me to get used to. However, it's important that lawyers are diligent in their time keeping records, in order to provide clients with an accurate bill of costs.