Aunt Now that I am at the Bar, I realised that everyone was right, you will never feel totally ready but if in your gut you know this is what you want to do, then just do it. Court and as the Magistrates always recommend, always try and confer and settle. Anyway, he started telling me about all the emails he was going to hand up in Court. I reminded him that they were without prejudice and he could not. He was not pleased with this so turned tack to say that me and my firm had been harassing and bullying him into signing an undertaking and trying to negotiate the matter and we had flooded him with phone calls and emails. That was not the case. Anyway, I ended the conversation. We then got into Court and this 6”5 wellbuilt Russian man gets up and tells the Magistrate that I had caused him fear and intimidation and that I had yelled at him outside of Court and how everyone in the waiting room would be his witness, and also that I pushed him. The Magistrate was like “she pushed you???!!” at which point he said “she pushed me mentally”. I rose to address the matter on record but was told that was not required and the Magistrate understood the situation. Verity: I am quite superstitious. Earlier this year I was junior counsel in a matter in the State Administrative Tribunal. A related entity of the opposing party is the owner of a well-known Australian brand of boots which are quite popular around town. I made sure I did not wear my own pair of those boots for that hearing!
How do you manage stress at the Bar and avoid burnout? Brooke: As cliché as it sounds having a work/life balance no matter how busy you are is really important. Also having something that you can do once or twice a week that is just for you whether that is making time to go to the gym, have a date night or catch up with a friend for a coffee it is important to make time away from work and out of chambers. Stefan: I am still figuring this one out — I doubt I do a particularly good job of it. I have found that often you have really intense periods of work which are then followed by quieter patches. Trying to
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enjoy, and make the most of, those quieter patches goes a long way to keeping sane. Cassandra: The Bar gives you flexibility. You are your own boss and as such you set your working hours and days and how much work you want to take on. Of course when you are new to the Bar, you say yes to everything you can but I make sure that I give myself my own parameters about what I will do and when and also ensure that I make time to do things I enjoy. Sounds a little cliché! Verity: I try to make sure I do something for myself as the first thing I do when I wake up — whether that’s meditation, gym or walking my dog. Then it’s done and I can concentrate on other things for the rest of the day.
What advice would you give to practitioners wanting to join the Bar early? Brooke: My advice would be to get a good mentoring network behind you early on, to seek advice from others and to build good relationships with both other barristers and solicitors as having good relationships at the Bar as well as other people in your practice area is really important when you’re are starting out at the Bar. Stefan: Have a plan, have something to offer, and be willing to do anything. Cassandra: Go for it! I kept saying, I am not ready, I am not ready. All this despite all the encouragement and support by peers that I was. I also did my due diligence, I made sure I spoke to senior members of the Bar and found out exactly what I was in for, both mentally and financially. Now that I am at the Bar, I realised that everyone was right, you will never feel totally ready but if in your gut you know this is what you want to do, then just do it. I have always said, yup, I was never going to be fully ready and could have even considered coming earlier. The Bar is a very supportive place and always willing to embrace young barristers — I would say, reach out, have the chats, get a feel of life as a barrister and use all the information to make your decision! Verity: Seek the advice and support of other counsel at the Bar. There is a ready-made support network there if you go looking, and don’t be afraid to email another barrister without having met them first!
Prudence Juris Dear Aunt Prudence, I’m a couple of years into my legal career and I’ve noticed a few changes in myself. Healthy eating and exercise have fallen by the wayside, my friends have stopped calling and my partner has recently left me because I’m ‘only at home 4 hours per week’. Is this normal? - The Grad 5 Dear The Grad 5, Good news! Those are all perfectly normal symptoms of Toptier-itis, a little known condition that typically affects most 0 – 3 year PQE practitioners at large national/international commercial law firms. Other signs you might be suffering from the disorder include: an effective hourly rate at or below the Award wage; an overwhelming desire to purchase a pair of RM Williams; vitamin D deficiency; and a blind optimism that ‘it’ll all be worth it once I make equity Partner’. Fortunately, there is a readily available cure — Inhousodol, a wonder treatment that is available to most 3+ PQE lawyers. In fact, it’s so widely used that you’d have to try not to end up relying on it. - Aunt Prudence
Dear Aunt Prudence, my Partner makes me wait at my desk all day until they decide to go home. What should I do to escape the office when I’m ready? - I Want to Break Free Dear I Want to Break Free, Aunt Prudence knows your plight only too well — it’s hard having a Partner who just wants you to watch. A Partner who can’t seem to manage it alone. And if you keep giving them what they want, they soon come to expect it. So keep things fresh. Take charge with your Partner and simply tell them: I’m not satisfied; I’m only doing this for you; I think we need a break. Always remember, there’s nothing stopping you from standing up for yourself and walking out. - Aunt Prudence
Dear Aunt Prudence, I’m an important barrister with a great sense of humour. Why do I keep getting overlooked to judge Golden Gavel? The Mischief Justice Dear The Mischief Justice What can we say, the Hon Peter Quinlan slays. Perhaps you haven’t been roasted by the host with the most before, but when the Chief aims he doesn’t miss. And don’t get your Aunt wrong; doubtless tens of young lawyers know who you are, and several of them have laughed at your jokes in chambers. All of which might found one of your patented ‘wit of summons’ with supporting ‘banter-davit’ to apply for a seat on next year’s panel. Your Aunt is sure that such an application would be both well-judged and received (physically, at least). - 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.
