The last Better Call Sarah event welcomed law students and early career professionals into an evening of insight, inspiration, and honest conversation.
Hosted by Sarah Plasto, the panel featured barrister Genevieve Yates and Crown Law solicitor Beau Foley, who shared their unconventional journeys into law and their experiences working in government legal practice.
Genevieve began her career with a dual degree in Law and Creative Industries. Her first role in government law was with the Office of the Public Guardian.
“I was a legal decision-maker for adults with impaired capacity in non-financial decision making,” she explained.
“That was probably the most rewarding job that I have ever had in my career; but also the most challenging.”
She moved to Blue Card Services, where she gained advocacy experience running hearings in QCAT. Now at the bar, Genevieve’s practice includes both private corporations and government entities, from review proceedings and tribunal work to high-stakes litigation in superior courts.
Beau’s path was equally non-linear. After completing his law degree, he joined the navy. It was while stationed on a patrol boat in the Solomon Islands that he felt the pull back toward legal practice.
After returning to Brisbane and completing his PLT, Beau spent four years in commercial litigation before joining Crown Law, where he now works in native title and dispute resolution.
“I had been thinking about working in government for a while, because I perceived that working in government, there is a little bit more meaningfulness attached to the work,” he said.
“There is a really good variety in the work. I really like litigation, and I recommend it to people.”
He spoke warmly of the culture at Crown Law, noting the depth of experience within his team.
“Everyone but myself has been there for 20-plus years. It’s a good place, there’s lots of longevity, lots of trust, and lots of experience to learn off,” he said.
The advice:
The Q&A portion of the evening offered practical advice for students navigating the early stages of their careers. One recurring theme was imposter syndrome, and how to manage it in high-pressure environments. Sarah shared a strategy she used to build confidence when facing more senior practitioners.
“Particularly as a junior lawyer, the more senior lawyers have more cases. They don’t have as much time to read. The one thing you can control is that you know your matter better than they’ve had the time to learn their matter,” she said.
Beau echoed this, reflecting on his time at university.
“I was surrounded by a lot of smart kids and told myself I wasn’t as talented. Later I worked out they were performing well because they were working really hard and were passionate,” he said.
“Make an effort to be the best. Find the hardest-working kid in class and try to work as hard as them.”
Genevieve encouraged students to embrace every opportunity, both academic and social.
“Engage with the content and your peers. Some of my best friends are from uni, and I cherish those friendships dearly,” she said.
She also highlighted the value of unconventional networking, sharing how she landed her first legal job networking at a music gig.
“Take the opportunities that don’t present themselves through the traditional route,” she said.
Sarah closed the session with a powerful reminder about reputation and preparation.
“Even appearing in court, you can sit in a room full of lawyers doing mentions, and it is really obvious those who prepared the night before. That is your reputation, and that is the only thing that you have in this profession that you can control,” she said.
As the evening drew to a close, Sarah reflected on the nature of government law and the importance of events like this in helping students understand its scope.
“Government law, traditionally, I think we would all agree, is quite grey. Coming through uni, it was quite hard to try and work out what government law looks like,” she said.
Through candid storytelling and practical advice, Better Call Sarah continues to lift the curtain on legal careers, offering clarity and connection to those just starting out.
The next Better Call Sarah event will be held on 16 July, diving into the world of court careers. Special guest speakers Her Honour Judge Dzenita Balic and Senior Judicial Registrar Anne-Marie Rice will offer genuine insights into Queensland’s court system; from judicial roles to registry positions. Seats are limited, so register now to reserve your spot.
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