Do the best job you can with the best job you can get and doors will start to open – that was the message to law students from Her Honour District Court Judge Dzenita Balic.
Judge Balic was joined by Senior Judicial Registrar Anne-Marie Rice, from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, at the Better Call Sarah event for Queensland Law Society student members on Wednesday night.
They shared their insights on court careers at the regular event hosted by former QLS Future Leaders President Sarah Plasto at Law Society House.
Judge Balic pointed to a clerkship in a magistrates’ court as an example of a valuable entry-level position.
“You would be the person responsible for the management of the file, but you would also see the way that the court actually functions because you are in court together with the judicial officer as things are unfolding,” she said.
“And it exposes you, I think, to advocacy, which is something that you can’t necessarily read about. It’s something I think that you have to see.
“The exposure to the hectic nature of the courtroom, the way that people talk about their stories, the human component that you really can’t again learn about; it’s something you have to experience.”
Judge Dzenita Balic spoke to students.
Exposure to agencies connected to the court, such as Child Safety and Corrective Services, was another benefit, Her Honour said.
“You don’t have to stay in the court, is the point I’m trying to make,” she said.
“I think that is so important to remember that you can move backwards and forwards.”
Ann-Marie said working in the Federal Circuit and Family Court as an undergraduate was extraordinary, in positions such as associateships and as case managers with registrars.
“You will see quality work. You will see diabolical work. You will have incredible exposure to litigation,” she said.
“And I would really encourage you to think about applying for those jobs, even if you’re not particularly interested in family law, which is the bulk of the FCFCOA’s work.”
On resumes, emphasis your life outside of law, Judge Balic advised.
“What will set you apart even further is for you to be able to illustrate that you don’t just want to be a lawyer, but that you’re actually genuinely interested in the human condition because it’s the human condition that is represented in the courts,” she said.
“It’s all about the human condition. Every single court that you go to, irrespective of what court you are in. And I think that can be illustrated by what it is that you do outside of your legal studies. What are the hobbies do you have? What organizations are you part of?”
Senior Judicial Registrar Anne-Marie Rice.
Anne-Marie added: “You can assume that by virtue of the fact, if you progress to an interview and that you have the requisite number of years of study under your belt, that you have the skills to do the job, so the interview isn’t about your technical ability … it’s about an ability to form connections with everyone who you are working with and everyone who you come across as a litigant.”
Age should not be a barrier, she said.
“I think, particularly in jurisdictions like crime and family law, the more life experience you have, the more you bring to the job,” Anne-Marie said.
“One of the great things about becoming a silver fox in family law is you’ve seen stuff … you’ve had to have your own relationship breakdown or a criminal charge to be able to understand the life of the party.”
Judge Balic said having customer service experience was a “huge, huge benefit”.
“There are lawyers who do not know how to deal with people. Honest to God, there are,” Her Honour said.
“It sounds like a small thing, but for me and other judges, I can tell you we notice these things.
“We want someone who is able to have a conversation with a person in court, have a conversation with the lawyer, have a conversation with the police officer, have a conversation with the bailiff.”
Anne-Marie encouraged students to “go and sit in the back of the courtroom”.
“And just look at what’s happening a little bit differently. What are the personal skills that are needed here? Who is the counsel who can read the room and tell whether they’re irritating the judge or not?” she said.
She encouraged the students to take up any kind of work experience.
“I can still remember that feeling of sitting on the sofa at my parents’ house and thinking, ‘I am never going to get a job. This is so hard. I’ve made so many applications’… Getting that first step is really, really difficult. We have all been through it, which is why you just begin and keep going.”
QLS student membership is only $10 per year and available to those studying law in Queensland.
Become a student member here or contact the Membership team at student@qls.com.au to confirm your eligibility and find out more.
Share this article