The High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel, who retires today, has issued invaluable career advice: don’t be “a complete swot”.
In an interview for the Australian Financial Review, Chief Justice Kiefel shared insights into the selection process for her associates. While a strong academic record with first class honours is “the starting point”, her Honour was also looking for individuals who were well rounded.
During interviews, which lasted only 10 minutes, Chief Justice Kiefel’s key question was, “What do you like doing in your spare time?“.
The Chief Justice’s 45 former associates have gone on to have very successful careers, including at the bench, bar and in academia. One of those is New Chambers’ own Emma Beechey, pictured with Chief Justice Susan Kiefel in the article.
Chief Justice Susan Kiefel’s advice is a good reminder for everyone from aspiring law students to practising lawyers to find passions in life outside of work.
The full article can be found here.
New Chambers has many members who are former associates to judges of the High Court,
Jonathan Horton KC associate to the Honourable Justice Ian Callinan AC
Luke Livingston SC associate to the Honourable Justice William Gummow AC
Nick Kabilafkas associate to the Honourable Justice Michael McHugh AC KC
Thomas Prince associate to the Honourable Justice Dyson Heydon KC and the Honourable Justice Virginia Bell AC
Phillip Sharp associate to the Honourable Justice Ian Callinan AC
Greg O’Mahoney associate to the Honourable Chief Justice Murray Gleeson AC KC
Caspar Conde associate to the Honourable Justice Ian Callinan AC
Samuel Hoare associate to the Honourable Justice Patrick Keane AC
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