7.00 AM
I am rudely awoken by Siren, my iPhone alarm, to start the day. After some hesitation, I manoeuvre myself from the bed and make some breakfast. I’m no Jamie Oliver, but even he would be proud of my 30 second meal that is a very tasty cheese and ham toastie. I think about what’s in store for me today at work. As much as early mornings are never easy to love, it’s always motivating to know that going to work every day provides something different and challenging.
8.30 AM
I love working from the office. While many people enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid working routine, for me nothing beats going into the office every day. I consider myself very lucky to be working in the heart of Sydney – and that isn’t just because there is a new Messina at the bottom of our building.
9.00 AM
The type of work that I am doing keeps me stimulated and curious. I am scrambling together some notes on a fresh Federal Court decision that I am to present in our weekly team meeting. I give a background to the complex compensation case, and briefly explain the issues and the judge’s reasoning. The team discussion that follows my presentation is conducted by true experts in this field, who are always kept up to date with developments in the law and precedential decisions.
9.30 AM
I need my kryptonite for today. I go to the shared kitchen and make myself a cappuccino using the Nespresso machine and take a banana from the fruit basket for some potassium. I also am pleased to see Arnott’s biscuit jar filled with packets of my favourite combo – shortbread creams and scotch fingers. I see some friends and have a chat before returning to my desk to read through my emails and set up my workload for today.
While doing this, I am offered an exciting opportunity to attend a hearing today at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. My supervising partner is very happy for me to attend this hearing with Counsel who we have briefed as I helped prepare some documents for this matter. I make sure that I look respectable and put on my tie and suit jacket ready to go.
10.00 AM
I am a graduate and have not yet been admitted as a solicitor. What do I know about hearings in the Tribunal? Honestly, not very much as this was my first hearing. A little bit nervous, I arrive at the Tribunal and meet with Counsel who explains to me today’s proceedings and tells me what I should be doing. Don’t be nervous, Jack. I tell myself; this is a great learning experience!
In today’s hearing, Counsel will be examining and cross-examining some doctors who have assessed a patient in relation to an insurance claim for a workplace injury. The hearing begins and I am ferociously taking notes. I was listening carefully to each doctor present their evidence and how both sides weigh up this evidence. At the conclusion, Counsel asks me my thoughts and I am surprised with how much comes out of my mouth. I’m in the right place, I think to myself.
1.30 PM
I make my way back towards the office. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I didn’t pack my own lunch today. I am rather spoiled for options being in such a central location of the city. I settle on a thick chicken schnitzel sandwich filled with all the good stuff. Now that we have (hopefully) climbed out of the COVID hole, so many people are back working in the city and I love going for a walk and taking in the buzz. I try to convince myself that my lunchtime walks are not to bump into people but, to hit my daily step count quota.
2.00 PM
I arrive back to the office and explain today’s hearing to my supervising partner. Using the almost 30 pages of transcript and notes from my conversation with Counsel, I draft a post settlement report and briefly explain what happened, the quality of evidence presented and how we think the case will be decided. I really enjoy these tasks as I get to put my writing skills into practice while balancing legalese with plain English to concisely explain things.
Once that is done, I’m asked by another supervising lawyer to draft some requests for summons documents in another matter. When assessing an Applicant’s claim, we need to gather all of the medical evidence that we can to determine their medical history and relation to the claimed injury. I need to make phone calls to some medical practices and specialists who have reportedly seen the Applicant over the last few years. I like this investigative work; something about finding out that a doctor possesses these medical records is like fitting another piece into a complicated jigsaw puzzle.
4.00 PM
Before I leave today, I promised one of my supervising lawyers that I would complete a summary of the medical evidence given to us. I trawl through tens of pages of clinical records dating back over ten years to note down anything significant. These types of exercises test my attention to detail and understanding of what I’m doing but are important to help my supervisors draft advice to the client and weigh up the prospects of a case.
5.00 PM
It’s Friday, Friday! I am very happy to complete another very interesting week at Sparkes. No better way to cap it off than with a few drinks and socialising on the infamous Level 29. As I’m still new to the firm, I’m using every opportunity to build friendships with my colleagues and meet many others along the way. This is a great time to catch up and meet some of the few hundred people that are in our office.
6.30 PM
As well as Messina, underneath our building lies a hub of bars and restaurants. Some of the grads continue the night together by going to a fan favourite, Cabana Bar, which is absolutely pumping tonight. I stay for a while with my colleagues and meet up with some other pals for dinner afterwards.
Since I started, members of my team have said that as a graduate, the social aspects of working are just as important as the professional aspects. I am very grateful that Sparkes openly embraces many different people and characters while offering me work that I enjoy a lot.
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