“Recruiters told me I’d never be able to work at a big firm in England”

What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?

I was sent on quite a few errands as a trainee.  I took the view that they were nice breaks from the office and that there are no small parts, only small players!

Certainly my most memorable errand was being pulled out of an internal seminar and being tasked with driving my boss’ massive 4X4 around to a client’s house, 20 minutes away, to get an urgent document signed.  I was terrified I was going to have an accident, but she wanted me to take her car rather than wait for a cab.  I made it there unscathed in rush hour and got the document signed.  The client then insisted on taking me on a tour of his newly renovated house and wine cellar before I left (he wasn’t as bothered by the urgency!) and sent me off with a bottle of vintage Champagne for my troubles!

Tell us about a sliding doors moment when your career could have gone in an entirely different direction?

I’ve had a few of these, but the key one was moving from Australia to London. Suffice to say, if I hadn’t come to London, my career would probably look quite different. I didn’t have a job lined up when I left Australia and took a risk that I would find something suitable. I had English recruiters tell me that I would never get into a firm like HSF because I had not worked in Melbourne or Sydney, but an opportunity came up and I grabbed it.

I had some brilliant experiences at HSF and it has enabled me to specialise in managing high stakes litigation and disputes for businesses.  Having recently moved in-house, I am now helping Volvo to navigate through some of the largest and most complex litigation before the UK and European courts.

What’s the hardest question you’ve ever been asked at interview, and how did you answer?

Out of the blue I was asked to explain all the different cost consequences and permutations attached to Part 36 offers.  I thought that was a bit mean, but they wanted to see how I handled the question.

I have also been asked before at an interview what type of fruit I see myself as (spoiler: I do not see myself as fruit!).

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?

Know your strengths and your value to others. Look for opportunities to contribute and add strings to your bow. Be proactive and take responsibility for your career – something I don’t think junior lawyers always appreciate. Grow your network. Keep an open door and an open mind.

Tell us about ONE former colleague who you miss, and why? (It doesn’t have to be a lawyer)

I used to work a few offices down from a colleague who would share the trials and tribulations of his life with everyone in earshot in the most authentic way. Sometimes it was highly annoying when I was trying to concentrate, at other times it was hilarious. I work from home most days now and I do miss those outbursts on the quieter days.