Mentoring is something that all lawyers can offer and be intentional about, writes Sarah Rey.
I went to university back in the 1980s. I was a typical law and arts student of that era – engrossed in campus life, travel, living out of home, holding down a part-time job, and still managing to walk straight into a full-time position at the conclusion of my studies. (Those were the days!)
While that might sound easy, it did not always feel easy, and that is because I was not as confident as I perceived others around me to be. When I look back now, I can see that I was nonetheless fortunate. I was taught by feminist nuns and teachers who were critical thinkers and nurturing role models. My friendship circle consisted of strong feminists who affirmed my growing confidence.
I was also curious about politics. I studied it at university and involved myself in campus political activity. It was through that experience that I not only met aspiring and passionate student leaders, activists, and the occasional party hack, but I was able to observe them up close and discover how they benefited from sponsorship and mentoring.
So I filed these experiences away for the future – the power of building confidence in others, and the role of mentoring.
My legal journey
Once I had completed my double degree, I sent off the obligatory applications for law firm clerkships. Three interviews resulted from 10 applications, and I managed to receive one job offer. That was all it took to get on my way – my golden ticket to becoming an employment lawyer.
What followed were stints in two firms, before a colleague and I decided to strike out, to co-found our own female-led employment law firm – called Justitia – named after the Roman goddess of justice.
We were set on trying new things and innovating in our little firm. We both started working flexibly from the start, four days a week. It was the default for all our staff to work flexibly. In 2005, this was something new.
New law student work model
We also trialled hiring law students (for fair pay!) to undertake the office administration and research that we required. Our law student program enabled us to pay forward the benefits and privileges we had received from others and has flourished for 20 years.
The firm has viewed it as a win-win – we have enthusiastic young people looking to learn about the law, how to build a successful business and experience a supportive and collegial environment. Their employment was also peppered with various types of formal and informal mentoring that we offered as part of the arrangement.
Getting this early support in a workplace, and experience where you see your university subjects in their practical context, is invaluable. For some students, it affirmed their pathway in the law. For others, it developed a particular passion for employment law, which saw them apply for clerkships and positions in workplace relations teams, the Fair Work Commission or unions. For another cohort, it helped them gauge that, in fact, working in a private law firm was not for them, but that human rights, government, or the private sector were more aligned with their values.
Rosie’s story
Rosie’s story is one I re-tell as an example of bravery and inspiration as she has achieved so much in her young career to date.
Rosie grew up in the country and did not attend one of the prestigious law schools, which put her at an early disadvantage in getting her foot in the door of the big end of town.
But she was not going to be deterred. She had worked hard during her degree, holding down a part-time job to support herself, and she had parents who were ambitious about what she could achieve. She decided, by hook or by crook, she was going to score a law firm clerkship, work diligently, and become a fully qualified solicitor.
She accepted a position in a suburban firm that did all sorts of work, including crime, wills, and family law. She learnt about more areas of legal practice than your average junior lawyer.
Unfortunately, she also endured a tough workplace culture – as one of her colleagues was, in my opinion, a bully (remember I am an employment lawyer). But she hung in there. She acquired the Teflon coating that is sadly mandatory if you want to survive in many workplaces, including the law.
During this period, I was on the sidelines, clapping Rosie on, piping in from time to time: don’t put up with that bully and bull%#$! I would encourage her: find another firm, there are many other places that treat their staff well that you can join.
I was also whispering in her ear, Rosie, you have many talents. You need to be brave, and while you have followed this well-trodden and desirable path of becoming a lawyer in private practice, I encourage you to listen to your heart. Is this the job, and the profession, that will make your heart sing? Because I sensed that this was not always the case. How many of us get stuck in jobs where this happens?
So Rosie eventually applied for her dream job in the IT software industry, through what can only be described as a competitive sport, being IT industry recruitment (just picture the Hunger Games). She was successful in being offered a role with a multinational German software company, involving lots of travel and training. She has worked for several years now as an account manager, and, more recently, was headhunted by another company. It is an industry where her particular talents are recognised and appropriately remunerated. And I salute you, Rosie, for all the courage you have shown to date in moving from one career to another.
Mentoring had a part to play in her decision making. And I am reminded that it is something each of us can offer and be intentional about; how to informally mentor and build up the confidence of those around us – to help a friend or colleague spread their wings to fly – and occasionally encourage them to make a brave decision to move on.
Sarah Rey is a founding partner at Justitia.
