Amid a rapidly evolving legal landscape, Emily Mawson urges young lawyers to break out of the legal bubble and dive into their local communities – calling it not just a valuable experience but a vital one.
Speaking in a recent episode of The Lawyers Weekly Show, Emily Mawson, the Labor candidate for the Queensland-based seat of Capricornia and a lawyer at Maurice Blackburn, discussed the importance of young lawyers engaging in their local communities, drawing from her own experience.
In the same episode, she opened up about the highs and lows of her journey to becoming a political candidate and revealed the driving forces that motivated her to take this significant step.
As she prepares for the 2025 federal election, Mawson has actively stepped up her involvement within her local community in her bid to secure the seat in her electoral division.
Reflecting on her experiences as a young lawyer connecting with the central Queensland community, Mawson highlighted the overwhelmingly “positive” reception she has received, stating: “I had a lady say to me just before I came here to do this interview that I was just the kind of person they need for Rockhampton.”
Mawson acknowledged that for many young lawyers, the idea of community involvement can be met with hesitation and uncertainty about where to start or how to make an impact.
However, she explained that for young professionals who choose to prioritise community involvement, it can act as a vital “circuit breaker” in a profession that is often all-consuming and demanding.
“It is an all-encompassing industry. It is a job that really finds its way into every element of your life. So, having an outlet or having something that you can go and do that isn’t necessarily just about what you do for work can be a nice way to break the cycle and also give back to your community as well,” she said.
Additionally, Mawson acknowledged that, given the realities of the profession, such as burnout and time constraints, finding the time for community involvement can be a significant challenge for young lawyers.
To overcome this challenge, she offered practical advice for those seeking involvement: “You don’t have to go and dedicate hours and hours. You can start small. You can start by going to a Rotary club or going to a local young lawyers association that they have in most towns and just build from there.”