Why non-traditional hires are becoming law firms’ competitive advantage

In the same episode, she revealed how, after 25 years of working on Australia’s biggest media stages and covering some of the country’s most compelling stories, she has embarked on a remarkable journey from chasing breaking news to now breaking legal cases.

Reflecting on her own experience, Shivaraman emphasised that it has exposed her to a broad spectrum of human stories – an experience that, in turn, has sharpened her sensitivity to the emotional realities her clients face.

“I think one of the great advantages of being a journalist is that I feel like I’ve seen it all. So nothing shocks me,” she said.

“I’m really understanding about the fact that when people come to a law firm, you know, they’re probably most likely having a terrible time and, you know, they’re sad or they’re incredibly distressed.

“So it’s made me incredibly empathetic towards clients and what they might be going through as well.”

Beyond interpersonal strengths, Shivaraman also highlighted the tangible advantages professionals from non-traditional backgrounds can bring to a firm – skills that translate seamlessly into practice, even if their value is not always immediately recognised.

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“Also, as a journalist, I love writing. When it comes to law, I really love the writing part as well, the writing of correspondence, the writing of letters. It’s a different sort of way with words, but that’s just a small kind of fun part that I like,” she said.

While hiring candidates with legal knowledge is a given, Shivaraman observed that in a world increasingly shaped by media, the value of media literacy within legal roles is often overlooked, yet remains an increasingly critical and underrated skill.

“I think it’s important to find people that perhaps have a bit of a media literacy, that they’re across what’s going on in the newspapers, they’re across what’s going on in TV,” she said.

“Even if they love popular culture, because so much of our lives, and whether it’s social media or traditional media or broadcast media, it is a big part of society, it is a big part of our lives.”

Such recognition of the value that professionals from non-traditional backgrounds bring to a firm is something Shivaraman said her current employer, BlackBay Lawyers, actively demonstrates in practice, by shaping a hybrid role that strategically and purposefully leverages her skills.

“BlackBay Lawyers has been fantastic because they actually created my role as a legal affairs strategist. So not only do I get to be a paralegal, I also assist in-house with their internal communications,” she said.

Through this proactive approach by the firm, Shivaraman highlighted the tangible value it has already delivered in practice, noting that her dual expertise enables her to provide more holistic and comprehensive support to clients.

“That’s proven really handy because often there are clients that are at the centre of a media storm or not only are they dealing with the stress of the legal process, but they’re dealing with the stress of the court of public opinion, of people calling them, of journalists calling them,” she said.

“So in that sense, I’m able to help the clients, and that’s pretty cool as well.”

Shivaraman delivered a clear and compelling message to legal recruiters, urging them to look beyond traditional pathways and recognise that individuals – whether they have been school teachers, bus drivers, or chefs – can bring valuable skills that translate into outstanding legal practice.

“My main message is to legal recruiters, to all the ones that told me no, that you’re not from a traditional background and not being an HD student, consider the people that have come from non-traditional backgrounds and think outside the square,” she said.

“Because you could have been a librarian or a school teacher or a bus driver, but there are still so many left field skills that you will bring to becoming a terrific lawyer, 100 per cent.”