JESSICA GIAMPICCOLO - SOUTHERN STATES GROUP

I am a Group Legal Counsel with over 15 years’ experience in the legal industry. I began my legal career working as a legal assistant while I was studying at university. After I finished my law degree, I began working in private practice, before transitioning to in-house around six years ago, and I’ve never looked back! Outside of work I am a self-confessed hippy who enjoys spending time learning lots of new things and spending time with my gorgeous family.

When I was at school, I wanted to be a hairdresser or an air hostess. I think I was attracted to all the glamour that I associated with both of those roles. The skills and finesse of a hairdresser and the pristine makeup and customer service delivered by an air hostess were all appealing to me. In my later years of high school, I considered the elements of my own personal skillset and found that the law was where I should focus my attention.

Legal studies was not offered at my school in my final year of studies. However, due to my marks as a year 11 student, I was strongly encouraged to continue via an adult education class held weekly in the city. Each week I would make my way into the city as a young woman to study legal studies as a year 12 subject in a class full of adults. I am very grateful I was provided with such an opportunity as it provided the foundation for my career in the legal profession. The law was what sparked my creativity and was the area that I understood the most. I was able to do my most creative thinking whilst considering the law.

My career journey began with a Bachelor’s degree focusing largely on criminology. I was always fascinated by crime and criminology. However, when I finished my degree, I realised that this career path probably wasn’t for me and instead decided to study law with the goal of working in-house for a company. I felt this would enable me to merge my legal brain with some corporate thinking and hopefully open the door to a role suitable for me.

I have always loved the idea of being part of the heart and soul of a company and learning from all disciplines what it takes to operate a successful company. My in-house career delivered just that. I have been able to work closely with highly skilled individuals from disciplines so different to my own, which has been extremely exciting. To this day I am fortunate to be able to learn from very talented individuals with skills ranging from business operations to sales and marketing.

I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by many influential people. My parents, husband, sister and my grandparents have all played a large role in supporting me and guiding me along my career journey. My father has taught me the importance of hard work, determination and how to be successful in business. My father ingrained in me that with hard work anything is possible. My Pa together with a good friend of ours, Bob, also instilled the importance of reading and expanding your knowledge base wherever possible. I now understand that reading is absolutely essential for career growth. It never gets old being out and spotting projects I have been involved in and knowing that my colleagues have “ achieved their goal. I feel very fortunate to be an in-house lawyer and part of such a wonderful network of people.”

In my later years, my husband showed me the importance of always conducting yourself ethically in business and the importance of teamwork in allowing us both to flourish in our careers. My mother, gran and sister have also shaped my way of thinking and encouraged me immensely along my journey. The support of my family has enabled me to progress to where I am today.

There are many things I love about working in-house. I love the constant variety of work that passes through my office, working with the senior executive team and board for the common goal towards the betterment of the company. I love being able to see ideas through from conception to completion. Being able to not only protect a company via a risk management framework and good corporate governance, but also to see the company flourish is extremely rewarding. Being involved in new projects is exciting and reading contracts is far more enjoyable when you have a sense of connection. I take great pride in reading a contract, seeing such a talented group of people work on the project and then seeing the product out in the public. It never gets old being out and spotting projects I have been involved in and knowing that my colleagues have achieved their goal. I feel very fortunate to be an in-house lawyer and part of such a wonderful network of people.

I think that there should be more emphasis on the importance of in-house counsel in large companies. Before starting my first degree, I was unaware that in-house positions even existed and thought to be a lawyer meant working in a private practice. I was never aware of where the many different areas of a law degree could actually take you.

Whilst in my role I have never faced any issue surrounding inclusion, the lack of involvement from corporate counsel in the early stage of a project is often highlighted within the in-house community. Lawyers can give so much more to companies when given the opportunity. When companies learn to embrace the importance of a lawyer as a trusted adviser, they will most certainly reap the rewards.

If I could go back in time to my younger self, I would give myself more reassurance and tell myself that confidence would be a natural progression. Sometimes it just takes a little time to find your confidence and learn more about your abilities.

I recently read a quote by Richard Branson that has really resonated with me.

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” Richard Branson

We can never underestimate the importance of learning and should continue to learn at every possible opportunity. Be open to learning everywhere as it is amazing just how much you can learn from people you meet and the stories they share.