Position and Location
Partner, Newcastle Office
What are your areas of specialisation?
Risk management and compliance, Workplace relations and safety, Commercial litigation and dispute resolution
What was your very first job and what did it teach you?
I was one of the Christmas casuals in the homewares section of David Jones. The hierarchical structure was an embedded and fundamental part of that working environment. Apart from developing the invaluable skill of gift wrapping, I learnt that respect is not given, it is earned.
If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you be?
An airline pilot.
What keeps you awake at night?
Not much…I am a pretty good sleeper. Occasionally there is a legal problem that causes sleep deprivation. However one of the benefits of being a partner is that such problems are often able to be delegated.
What’s your next big challenge?
I am in the process of planning an extended trekking holiday to South America (I don’t know whether my work colleagues know about that yet) so my latest big challenge is to improve my fitness. Unfortunately, there are just too many distractions ready to avert my focus from that goal.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
Actually it is a work related story. While I was absent on a rather lengthy (but well deserved) holiday, arrangements were made for the staff Christmas party. Everyone else was issued with invitations for the party with the theme “time warp”. I was issued with an invitation with the theme “tight and bright”. After my return from holidays, I received my invitation. Prior to the party, every person in the office pretended that they were adhering to the “tight and bright” theme. I had my suspicions, but nonetheless arrived at the party wearing a huge overcoat to hide the size 14 lycra leotard in a flattering aqua blue shade accompanied by a gold sequin top (incidentally lent to me by one of my partners, Peter Utiger). I quickly realised that I had been the victim of a practical joke and in my attempt to beat a hasty retreat, I was tackled to the ground and the overcoat was removed, revealing my outfit. For the rest of the night, I could not actually see the true horror of my outfit. That was the misfortune of the 55 other people at the party who had been so disciplined in their collaboration to execute the practical joke without a single slip up.
What’s your philosophy to life?
Life is too short…it really is…