The legal profession looks “very different today” to when Queensland Law Society President Rebecca Fogerty was admitted.
The QLS President spoke about her journey to the law with Australian Catholic University first-year law students in Brisbane in a welcome event last week.
Rebecca addressed ACU students.
“As a woman practising in criminal law, I was in a minority,” Rebecca said. “Now women make up the majority of solicitors in Queensland with 55.5 per cent of practising solicitors being female.
“Pleasingly, our profession is becoming more diverse, and it is also becoming younger. Just under 40 per cent of solicitors in Queensland are either under 35 or in their first five years of practice.
“It is truly a privilege for me to be here speaking with you as you immerse yourself into the legal profession and embark on your journey.
“One of the most rewarding parts of being President, is the opportunity to spend time with people all over Queensland and all different stages of their careers, and talk together about the issues we face as solicitors, members of an ancient profession, in a rapidly changing world.
“I would like you all to pause for a moment – please look around this room and to each other. Acknowledge your fellow students and appreciate the importance of getting to know each other, as they will be your colleagues throughout your legal career.
“You will work together and oppose each other, you will move in similar networking circles, and some of the people around you right now are the judges, solicitors, barristers and leaders of tomorrow. It’s a sobering thought, I know.”
Rebecca advised that becoming an officer of the court was “no small thing, and it comes with a great deal of responsibility and strict ethical duties”.
“It is by no means a career for the faint-hearted; to be a lawyer is to both serve, and be a part of, our justice system,” she said.
“The rule of law, and the courts, are the difference between despotic regimes and democracies, between order and chaos – and when you are admitted, you will be custodians of that heavy burden. This is the beginning of your journey.
“The next few years will most likely be the most exciting and challenging times of your career but equally as rewarding. On behalf of the Queensland Law Society, welcome to the beginning of your journey in the law.”
Rebecca explained the role of the Law Society and a bit about the challenges ahead.
“First, let me say, it means hard work. Hard work to qualify through your studies, and then more hard work,” she said.
“What we do is not easy. People pay us to exercise professional judgement to deal with complex issues.
“If the issues were easy to deal with, then they wouldn’t need us.
“More often than not, we are dealing with people when they have a problem, or even a crisis. The stakes are often high.
“We are officers of the Court and our highest obligation is to the Court. If that were not enough, we have a fiduciary obligation to put our clients’ interests ahead of our own. Always.
“It’s quite an exacting standard we sign up to.
“In the face of this, it’s important to know, always, and no matter what, that as a solicitor you are not alone. You belong to a profession.”
Rebecca advised the audience that not only had the gender make-up of the profession changed, but the career options with a lot of “interesting jobs for lawyers beyond legal practice”.
QLS and faculty staff attended.
“The traditional career of joining a law firm and staying in that space has also evolved,” she said. “As law practices adapt to flexible work arrangements, lawyers are finding it much easier to manage having a family and a career, legislation has changed to support and facilitate leave arrangements – the landscape in a law firm looks quite different today than what it did even 10 years ago.
“Now, when I went to university to study law, I didn’t know any lawyers and hadn’t been exposed to the legal system. I certainly didn’t have a day like this.
“I fancied myself as a criminal defence lawyer in the making, ready to defend the needy, the vulnerable and those just looking for a fair go.
“If you think that only barristers appear in court, lead evidence, cross examine witnesses and make closing arguments, you are a little behind the times – decades behind them, actually.
“The truth is that solicitors do a significant amount of in-court advocacy in our state, almost certainly the lion’s share of it. Many of you who become solicitors will find yourselves appearing regularly in tribunals and courts.”
Rebecca also shared that her idea of the law was not quite grounded in reality.
“My aspirations were quickly dashed with the reality of realizing the law is not like Suits and we are not all Elle Woods,” she said.
“Learn a lesson from me so you don’t make a similar mistake – I didn’t appreciate the impact of my decisions whilst at university and what impact they may have on shaping my career. I didn’t seek out extra curricular activities such as volunteering at a local legal service and I certainly didn’t appreciate that my GPA would be a significant influence as to who might actually read my resume or job application.
“I had thought that solid achievements whilst balancing a full-time job would be enough to get a foot in the door without any family connections to draw on.
“I was wrong. When I graduated, jobs were scarce, and we continue to hear that remains an issue with the profession even today.
“Despite that, I did find a role with a boutique firm, where I was able to fulfil my dream of engaging in criminal law.
“I was very fortunate. I had found a mentor who took the time to teach me and encourage me in the practice of law. I was never abandoned as a junior and always had a senior practitioner to fall back on for advice and assistance and that was absolutely critical to the ongoing learning process that takes place even when university studies are completed.”
The President also reminded the students of the importance of pro bono work.
“Service to your community is an integral component of being a lawyer. Look to volunteering work at a community legal centre or community organisation. Community organisation will welcome student volunteers to help support them to deliver their services. The practical experience and the network connections you gain will be invaluable when you graduate.”
QLS student membership is available to those studying a course for admission as a lawyer. It is also available to recent law graduates or graduates undertaking practical legal training. As a student member you have to access to a range of benefits. More information.
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