Prudence Juris Dear Aunt Prudence,
Dear Aunt Prudence,
The new grads have just started at our firm and I’m feeling left out. They get all the shiny new laptops and welcome drinks, but I still don’t know what I’m doing. When does firm life get better? - Middle Grad Syndrome
My firm has recently moved to a new office space that is entirely open plan. I’ve noticed that some people in the office, including my supervising Partner, are still getting used to the change. It’s only been a week and I’m already sick of overhearing their loud personal telephone calls and smelling the reheated tuna bake that they insist on eating at their desk every day. Will it ever end? - I Miss My Office
Dear Middle Grad Syndrome Welcome to your second year of practice. You’re only a restricted practitioner and the expectations are higher, but the sheen has well and truly worn off. Your Aunt ain’t gonna lie — almost two decades of education and clerkships have all led to this moment, and it kinda blows. You’ve moved up the first step of the pyramid, but found out Giza has nothing on the rungs you still have to climb. Take solace, though, for there’s something you’ve forgotten. Like a younger sibling, the new grads bring with them opportunity. They’re keen. They’re fresh. And they want to be involved. So, like a remote auction participant talking to your agent, it’s time to have them do your bidding. That filing you’ve been putting off? Those boxes that need to be carted to court? The Lord giveth a grad, and the Lord taketh away your photocopying. This is when life starts to get better. Enjoy, Aunt Prudence
New Members Associate Membership Mrs Jillian Hodges Murdoch University Mr Gabriel Merga Curtin University Mr Jordan Feinberg Murdoch University Mr Robert Mathew The University of Western Australia Mr Harrison Langsford The University of Western Australia Mr Michael Barry The University of Western Australia Ms Rachel Macy The University of Western Australia Mr Dallas Hodgetts University of Canberra Ms Madeline Quirk University of New England Ms Emma Wilson The University of Western Australia Mrs Malyque Neal The University of Western Australia Mr Ashton Godfrey The University of Western Australia Miss Teagan Joffe The University of Western Australia Ms Jenna Fuller The University of Western Australia Ms Emma Morhall The University of Western Australia Mr Javier Williams The University of Western Australia
Dear I Miss My Office You’re not alone. A large number of firms have recently turned against the dated private office layout in favour of cost-effective open plan spaces. While the change can have many positive ramifications – including greater opportunities for learning and collaboration between junior and senior lawyers – a few rules of etiquette should be observed. On the off-chance that your supervising Partner is reading my humble column, I shall spell out my top three tips to ensure open plan harmony: 1. Keep noise and distractions to a minimum: Noisy telephone conversations or habits such as tapping on the desk or fidgeting often can create an annoying distraction to those trying to concentrate. If you need to make a personal call to your child’s best friend’s brother’s orthodontist, perhaps use a break out room.
2. Be aware of smells: Within a tight space smells can be magnified, so use consideration when packing your lunch or snacks; especially if you dare to commit the cardinal sin of reheating a fish dish in the communal office microwave. Why don’t you dine al fresco or in the break room, rather than at your desk. 3. Respect another’s need to work: Just because an unassuming grad is sitting nearby, it does not mean they are available for conversation at all times (in fact, they’re probably frantically working on an impossible research task). Act respectfully and expect others to act in the same way. If all else fails, dear reader, you may benefit from working remotely until your colleagues have adapted to open plan life. All the best! Aunt Prudence
Do you have a question for your Aunt Prudence? Send all inquiries to younglawyers@lawsocietywa. asn.au and look out for your Aunt’s response in the next edition of Brief.
New members joining the Law Society (March 2022 & April 2022)
Ms Ann Roberts Murdoch University Mr Liam Aspinall Curtin University Miss Isobel Holling Joss Legal Mr Jacob Ferrell The University of Western Australia Ms Georgia Babun Murdoch University Mrs Deanna Ham Miss Abigail Gregorio The University of Western Australia Ms Anthea Todman Edith Cowan University Mrs Carla Machin The University of Western Australia Ms Alexandra Hamilton The University of Western Australia Mr Felix Attard The University of Western Australia Miss Alea Kaye Go The University of Western Australia Ms Peina Jin Murdoch University Miss Christina James The University of Western Australia Mr Nic Jones The University of Western Australia Mr Dalton Whittle The University of Western Australia Mr Obafemi Fayomi The University of Western Australia
Miss Chene Delport Murdoch University Miss Bea Belonio Murdoch University Ms Joy Johnston Murdoch University Mr Chrispus Mukhooli Murdoch University Ms Rebecca Harms University of Notre Dame Australia Miss Sophie Walker Murdoch University Ms Polina Zhbanova The University of Western Australia Mr Julian Krohn The University of Western Australia Ms Nana Kwakwaa Akuoko-Tawiah The University of Western Australia Miss Kiasah Crookshanks Murdoch University Ms Savannah Greene Murdoch University Mr Brandon Yip The University of Western Australia Miss Emma Tirabosco Allens Mr Todd Montgomery Edith Cowan University Miss Ellis McMillan Edith Cowan University Miss Katherine Manderson Allens
Barrister Membership Mr Christopher Mofflin Francis Burt Chambers
Ordinary Membership Ms Connie Yan Mr Steven Johnson Pty Ltd
Clifford Chance WA Law Group
Restricted Practitioner Mrs Michelle Parsons Pricewaterhouse Coopers Mr Mukesh Dahiya BNT Legal Pty Ltd Mr Michael Clements Paterson & Dowding - Perth Mrs Rebecca Wastall Accident Claims Lawyers Mrs Pamela McWatters FMD Legal Ms Jessica Renae Smith Birman & Ride Mr Brodie Rodgers Andrew Levalds Barrister & Solicitor Mr Nimrod Amanuel Tottle Partners Miss Jovetta Johnson Roe Legal Services Ms Ida Jogic Lynn & Brown Lawyers Mr Emmanuel Morgan Savannah Legal
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