Background & Career Path
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
My interest in law began somewhat uniquely. Years ago, I was studying business management and playing basketball in the United States, which exposed me to contract formation and enforcement in professional sports. This motivated me to study law upon returning to Australia.
Where did you study law, and what are your academic qualifications?
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the Queensland University of Technology
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the Queensland University of Technology
- Master of Laws at the University of Queensland
Do you have any other certifications or accreditations?
- Practising Certificate to engage in unsupervised legal practice as a solicitor.
Expertise & Specialisation
What areas of law do you specialise in, and what attracted you to these areas?
I specialise in helping people who’ve experienced an undesirable incident at work, on the road, or in a public place – and I’m attracted to these areas of law because each is different, and complex in their own way.
It’s our goal as a team to get the person from the initial meeting all the way through to a compensation amount as easily and stress free as possible for them.
What professional achievement, or particular case outcome, are you most proud of?
All cases are unique in their own way. One outcome might be your favourite one month, and then another comes along that is equally or more rewarding.
As a team, we approach each claim as if they are all of equal value – we want the best outcome for every client regardless of the type or nature of the case.
Philosophy & Mentorship
What do you believe sets Trilby Misso apart from others?
What distinguishes Trilby Misso from others is our approach to client relationships. From the outset of a claim, clients meet with the lawyer who will be with them from start to finish. This fosters a deep relationship and trust, ensuring a more personalised and impactful service.
Additionally, our support staff’s dedication to going above and beyond simplifies the process for those we assist. This approach gives Trilby Misso a “small firm feel” with the professionalism and expertise of a larger one, which is a great point of differentiation.
What trends in the legal industry interest you the most?
This is not so much a trend, but I have a strong interest in the litigation component of claims compared to general pre-court procedures.
The pre-court procedure has some integral components, however, as a claim becomes more complex through the litigation route, there are more opportunities to use and deploy knowledge and experience to put significant pressure on defendants. Ultimately, this skill will result in the best outcome for the client.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in law?
My advice is to concentrate on your development and learning, particularly in the early years. The amount of information you need to absorb can be overwhelming, so it’s important to tackle it step-by-step rather than trying to grasp everything all at once.
Expect a mix of achievements and setbacks. Both are valuable learning opportunities. Embrace each experience as a chance to grow, and don’t let disappointment deter you. The journey in law is as much about personal growth as it is about professional expertise.
What professional attribute/attributes define an impactful, effective lawyer?
It all depends on what area of law, but in our space, it is about finding a balance. You have to be emphatic towards your client, while still being robust against an opponent such as the defendant’s solicitor or an insurance company, on behalf of your client.
Challenges & Learning
Can you talk about a significant challenge you’ve overcome in your career?
The main thing in this space is that you have to manage your client’s expectations – particularly if it is a major claim. These types of claims will rarely settle at the first compulsory conference (negotiation day), so the challenge becomes communicating to a client that it is not going to be an easy or short route to obtaining them the compensation they are entitled to.
In doing so, you also have to remind them that just because an insurance company or other defendant won’t come to the table with the right amount of money the first time, does not mean their claim is worth any less or that they have done anything wrong.
You have to push forward and support the client throughout the entire process no matter how long it takes.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your tenure in law?
When you are studying, they teach you very early on to ‘take the emotion’ out of your practice and out of the law in general. I believe that this is critical for all lawyers, because if you focus on the emotional side of things, it will quickly wear you down.
Instead, you need to always look to the law and getting the client the best possible outcome critically, otherwise you will get stressed and anxious about things you can’t necessarily control.
Personal Insights
What do you enjoy the most about life at Trilby Misso?
The work-life balance is great – there is no expectation to work outside of hours and while you can, it is critical to be able to switch off. The opportunity to work flexibly both at home and in the office is great as well.
Outside of law, what are your passions or interests?
Going to the beach, surfing, CrossFit, long distance running.
What’s your favourite piece of fiction? This could be a book, movie, TV show, or something else.
The Departed.
What is one thing about you, that people would be surprised to know?
Not too sure – sometimes people are surprised by me being a lawyer!
