ABL and alumni share commercial law and career insights

Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) partner and Monash Law alumna Genevieve Sexton recently returned to the classroom for a guest lecture on the subject of winding up a company. Corporations Law (LAW3112) students were thrilled to discover that she brought two additional members of the ABL team, who are also Monash Law alums, to discuss starting up a legal career.

After a detailed lecture on winding up Joel Chester and Keira Unmack joined Genevieve Sexton to share their insights and experiences of their careers in law. They offered valuable advice to a Moot Court full of Monash Law students who are eager to embark on this path.

Starting a career in law can be both an exciting and daunting journey. For many aspiring lawyers, the path is filled with rigorous academic challenges, competitive job markets, and the need to balance personal and professional growth.

Senior Lecturer Steve Kourabas moderated the discussion, sharing his own insights and posing additional questions to maximise the benefit of these very special guests.

Senior Lecturer Steve Kourabas moderating the Q&A session with ABL Partner Genevieve Sexton (on screen), Keira Unmack and Joel Chester.

Finding personal fulfilment in legal work

One of the common concerns among law students is finding meaning in their work, especially in the environment of corporate law. Joel Chester addressed this by highlighting the personal value he puts on community involvement and pro bono work.

“I think it’s something that ABL does incredibly well. We’re quite involved in the community. Based on our pro bono stats over the 2023-2024 financial year, we committed an average of, I think, 95 hours per lawyer for the year,” said Chester.

This commitment to public interest work can help lawyers find a sense of purpose beyond their corporate responsibilities.

Keira Unmack echoed Joel’s sentiments, emphasising the rewarding nature of public interest work even in specialised fields like banking and finance.

“You build client relationships with their general counsel, with the other people at those companies that you’re working with. So even though you're acting to assist the company broadly, you're still building these relationships with people,” Unmack explained.

Monash Law alum and ABL team member Joel Chester answers a student’s question while Keira Unmack and Genevieve Sexton look on.

Essential skills for modern lawyers

The legal profession is evolving, and the skills required for success are changing. Keira Unmack pointed out the growing importance of technology in law.

“As a law graduate in the firm, you’ll probably be one of the first to participate in the trials of how we can use ChatGPT in the workplace to enhance the work that we’re doing or how we can safely use AI to benefit our work,” she noted.

Unmack believes this adaptability to new technologies is crucial for modern lawyers.

Meanwhile, Joel Chester emphasised the importance of attitude and ambition.

“I think what we’re looking for, or what generally will allow you to succeed and flourish from day dot is ambition - the desire to be successful, to work hard, to be curious, and to want to learn from your peers and your supervisors,” he said.

Chester advises that this mindset, combined with a willingness to learn and grow, is key to thriving in the legal field.

Genevieve Sexton added a third ingredient into the skills mix, proposing that curiosity is essential for understanding clients and providing practical solutions.

“When you’re curious about the context, you’re going to be better at framing a solution. And from a commercial lawyer perspective, that is so much of what drives us,” Sexton explained.

In Sexton’s almost two decades of experience with ABL, this ability to think critically and understand the broader context of legal issues has been invaluable.

Monash Law alum and ABL team member Keira Unmack answers a student’s question while Joel Chester  and Genevieve Sexton look on.

Transitioning from Law School to law practice

The transition from law school to professional practice can be both daunting and challenging. Keira Unmack shared her experience of gaining practical skills through various roles, including volunteering and internships to help ease that transition.

“I took on volunteering-type roles over the summer at a local law firm. So that’s where I first started,” Unmack said.

These early experiences helped her build a foundation for her legal career that got it off to a great start with ABL.

Joel Chester also highlighted the importance of taking on diverse opportunities while you're still at Law School.

“I did a 12-week internship at the Victorian Ombudsman, which provided me with a different sort of government experience,” Chester shared.

These varied experiences not only enhance legal skills but also help in understanding different aspects of the legal system.

The importance of networking in a legal career

Networking plays a crucial role in building a successful legal career, in fact a network is something you can start building on day one of Law School and will continue building throughout your career as a Monash Law alum.

Keira Unmack advised students to lean into network building and take advantage of networking events and build connections.

“When you take yourself into an interview, if you have something in common with those people, if you’ve already had a discussion with them about their firm and about something that really interests you, then you can use that to your advantage,” she said.

Monash Law alum and ABL team member Joel Chester answers a student’s question while Keira Unmack and Genevieve Sexton look on.

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Your Path

Joel Chester emphasised the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude in your quest for success in a legal career. He also recommended building towards that career before graduation.

“You never get this time again. So, opt into things at university and make the most of your experiences here. Take on extracurricular opportunities, whether it’s negotiation competitions or joining societies and clubs,” Chester advised.

Genevieve Sexton reminded students that the journey in law is ongoing and ever-evolving.

“I’m 20 plus years into my career and I’m still thinking about the types of work that I want to do and how to fashion my practice,” Sexton shared.

She highlighted that this continuous reflection and adaptation are essential for long-term success and fulfilment in the legal profession.

Monash Law students work on their networking skills after hearing from ABL partner and Monash Law alumna Genevieve Sexton.

Summarising the key ingredients for a career in law

Starting a career in law requires a combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and a proactive attitude. By embracing opportunities for growth, building meaningful connections, and staying curious, aspiring lawyers can navigate the challenges of the legal profession and find a fulfilling path.

As Joel Chester aptly put it, “Ambition, wanting to learn and be curious, and having a positive attitude is key.”

Genevieve Sexton's lecture was presented on Tuesday 8 October 2024.

Contact: James Brandis