Alumni Spotlight – Adrienne Morton

Favourite memory from Legal Prac

Other than breathalysing each other which was always going to stick in one’s memory, it’s probably more a montage of shared moments with other students that give an impression after all these years of being a part of a special time in each other’s lives.

Career Journey & Highlights

I was a slightly mature aged student being 10 years or thereabouts older than most of the cohort so my story might be a little different. I think that extra ten years gave me a boost in terms of fit and starting out in the Office of the Solicitor-General – a small team with nobody under the age of 30.

There are many advantages to a career with the Crown particularly if you want both security of employment AND varied and interesting work. I’ve been with the same employer since 2008, but I’ve had different roles across three agencies in that time.

Current Role

Like many practitioners, I have a day job and a side gig. My substantive position is a part-time role as a legal practitioner in the Office of the Crown Solicitor. My practice areas include commercial, employment, building and construction, administrative law, and the odd litigation file. This is my second engagement with this office – I liked it well enough the first time to come back on a permanent basis. Government work is varied, interesting and the value proposition is sound.

I also sit on TASCAT in the mental health stream as a presiding member on a sessional basis. I was first appointed to the then Mental Health Tribunal in 2019. I’ve really noticed a difference in how I manage hearings now compared with when I first started out. Sticking at something long enough to get good at it is probably one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on the tribunal.

Words of advice for those unsure about commencing the TLPC?

Your legal prac cohort is your first proper professional network. Throughout your career, people you did prac with will recommend you to friends and family looking for a lawyer, you will put their names forward to boards and committees looking for a new director, they’ll be a friendly face in the courtroom (or at school pick up) or someone you can hit up for advice when you don’t know what you’re doing. The relationships you make in the 6 months or so you’re beavering away at Hunter St will carry you through your career.

This is not something an online or hybrid alternative will give you.

What would you tell your 2008 self?

Don’t be afraid to push for what you want; come up with a rationale and a plan and put it in front of the boss.