King & Wood Mallesons senior associate Luke Hawthorne lives to roll up his sleeves and delve into the “weird and wonderful” technologies behind the patent cases he works on.
For Johnson Winter & Slattery senior associate Sara Gaertner, being a lawyer working on high-stakes litigation wasn’t always on the cards. She was working at an accounting firm when she decided to make the career switch. She hasn’t looked back since.
To those who know Tim Finney as the talented solicitor who helped launch a successful law firm at the age of 34, it might come as a surprise to learn that the Litigation Rising Star once had a paying gig as a music journo meditating on, or grappling with, in his own words, “the eternal difficulty of capturing how the sound of sound affects us”, and other things ineffable.
Slater and Gordon principal Kaitlin Ferris leadership prowess extends beyond the world of class actions, with the natural born leader also earning praise for “walking the walk” on equitable briefing and diversity.
The best piece of career advice barrister Dion Fahey ever got had nothing to do with getting ahead.
Perhaps the only thing that barrister William Edwards could show more enthusiasm for than the law — and class actions — is his beloved Richmond Tigers, and just like his favourite football team Edwards is on a winning streak.
For Johnson Winter & Slattery litigation partner Frances Dreyer, grit is the key to success in handling complex commercial litigation and class actions.
When Johnson Winter & Slattery’s George Croft is asked what he loves about working for clients in the energy and resources sectors, the tangible nature of the field with its deep rumbling ore crushers and haulage trains kilometres long really brings out his excitement.
Many junior lawyers bemoan getting stuck reviewing discovery when they first start their careers, but for barrister Jennifer Collins it is one of the best parts of the job.
Change has never fazed Slater and Gordon practice group leader Mathew Chuk, who has used the ever-evolving class action world and tumultuous times at his law firm to build an impressive career.