Law students should not be worried if they take an unconventional career path – just ask Beau Foley and Genevieve Yates.
The Better Call Sarah panellists shared their journeys to careers in government law at Thursday night’s Queensland Law Society event, hosted by former Future Leaders Committee President Sarah Plasto.
The free QLS event is designed to help aspiring lawyers with their options and offer advice. 
Beau started his post-university career in the navy.
For Beau Foley, a solicitor at Crown Law and former President Queensland Young Lawyers, it was not all smooth sailing straight into law. He navigated a different course.
“I was at graduated in about 2016, and at the time, I had no interest in becoming a lawyer at that point at all,” he told the audience at the first BCS event for 2025.
“I actually joined the Navy. And so I remember three days after my graduation ceremony, I was on a bus going to navy recruit school for officers, learning how to march, getting woken up at five in the morning, getting screamed at by people in the military, pushing massive truck tyres up hills, all that sort of stuff.
“And so I thought that was way that my career was going to be. I did that for a little while, and I think there was some point I was, at sea on a patrol boat in the Solomon Islands, and I was like, this is totally not what I am made out for.
“And it made me think a lot about how I had a law degree, and it really inspired me to want to use it, which is not something that I had at university.”
Genevieve had a creative start to her career.
Barrister Genevieve Yates, formerly a Senior Legal Officer with the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney- General, also had an unusual path to her career.
“I’ve been at the bar for, coming nearly onto four years now, but my career trajectory has been, very much, I think, not traditional,” she shared.
“I got my first gig in law when I was studying law in creative industries, very much thinking that I was going to be in the creative arts, doing anything but being a lawyer.
“And that law was the sensible thing that my parents wanted me to do, along with my Creative Industries degree. I’m sure many people in this audience have a similar experience. My first gig in law I got when I was attending a gig and a music lawyer was there, and he was kind enough to give me a job as a secretary in his firm.
“From there, he very kindly paved the path for me to get a graduate degree.”
After working in commercial litigation, Genevieve changed direction again.
“I thought I’d save the world, and I moved to the government and I started working in the office of the Public Guardian,” she said.
“I was a legal decision maker for adults with impaired capacity, in non-financial decision making. I was there for approximately two years, and I will say that was probably the most rewarding job that I have ever had in my career, but also the most challenging job I have ever had in my career.”
Beau moved from personal injuries law to private practice and small-scale litigation to government law.
“There’s a really good variety in the work. And I’m lucky to be in a team where I guess everyone except me there has been for about 20 years. So I know that it’s a really good place. There’s lots of longevity, there’s lots of trust, lots of experience to learn off,” he said.
After sharing their experiences, the panel was asked a variety of questions in particular about the value of networking, and all three had good advice for the more than 50 attendees.
Sarah hosted the event, which enters its second year.
Beau said networking was a positive part of the profession.
“That’s really important. My favorite thing about actually being a lawyer is law is a very social profession. It might be that it’s a tough job, and people like to vent, and they need a drink sometimes. But I think that there’s a really good tradition of lots of networking, lots of sort of social things that you can tag on to.”
Genevieve said while networking could be daunting, it was invaluable.
“My whole career is just following the advice of people who know much about more and much more than I do … obviously part of that is networking. … And as law students, it’s a lot. And she (a good friend) said to me, just try and meet one new person, make that your goal. Just try and meet one new person at these events, because it’s very easy to come and just stick with your friends or even just make peripheral conversation with someone new.
“When you connect with someone who you have an interest in connecting with, in terms of on a professional level, then then consider that a win. … And what I learned from him (my old boss) is make those connections – that’s one thing. But then following up the connection is another. So send them the email the next day. Not in terms of getting you a job, but what it will do is broaden your network.”
The panellists spoke about networking.
Host Sarah quoted Brisbane criminal lawyer Nick Dore when sharing her networking tips.
“It has always stuck with me. And I don’t know if he was the original person that said it, but my recommendation is always to find a way to connect on a level other than law. If I’m going to talk to you about my career, I can give you that in kind of 100 words or less,” Sarah said.
“And then unless you’re quizzing me, I don’t have that much to continue engaging with you about, without me being left feeling as though I’m talking to you. So my suggestion would be to find a way. And the quote from Nick Dore is law is what we do. It’s not who we are. So find a way to connect with someone on a personal level while still keeping it professional.
“But that will also be what makes you stand out in the memory of that person. I’m not going to remember where every single person works or where they’re at in their career, but if you can give me something distinguishing, I will remember that when you follow Gen’s advice and follow that connection up after.
The events are held at Law Society House.
There are more Better Call Sarah events planned this year.
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. Student members have access to a range of benefits including networking events. More information.
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