Alumni Spotlight – Alison Hay

Legal Prac Memory

Not my favourite but most memorable – supporting the police prosecutors in training when they were called away from our mock pleas in mitigation before a Hobart Magistrate to assume duty at the Port Arthur massacre.

Career Journey & Highlights

Since admission, my career has taken me from Launceston, to Melbourne, to Brisbane, to London and back to Hobart which is now home. The highlights are always the people you meet and learn from along the way. I have learnt from engineers as to how not to build the Gerrards Crossing over the Chiltern rail line, from underwriters regarding policies issued to the owners and occupiers of the Twin Towers, from actuaries as to valuing super funds, from insurers who purchased life insurance policies from HIV infected patients believing they were terminally ill (the viaticals business), from colleagues and mentors on the nuances of the common law and from construction professionals as to how not to let the Hobart Rivulet flood the basement of the Crowne Plaza whilst under construction.

Current Role
I am a Principal in the Hobart office of Barry Nilsson still learning, largely with the benefit of hindsight, from the disasters of others. I am a professional indemnity lawyer representing insurance companies and the professionals they insure when litigation is necessary or threatened.

Words of advice for those unsure about commencing the TLPC?

Do it! Should I say that to Gen Z? The TLPC offers a great opportunity to put legal theory into practice in a supportive environment whilst exposing course participants to the legal community of Tasmania.

What would you tell your 1997 self?

Never be afraid to declare your ignorance provided you always demonstrate a willingness and take every opportunity, to listen and learn from others.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Hindsight is a beautiful thing…. I can say that because I’m old but not necessarily wise. There are too many examples given I now know what that witness, for example, did actually say in the witness box!

Look at the Graduates from 1996!