Blaire O’Loughlin-Mills , Lawyer, Brisbane shares her career journey, hints and tips

Tell us a bit about yourself?

My first legal job was an Office Junior at a family law firm. I then worked in-house as a Law Clerk for over five years for a mining services provider. I gained amazing mentors in this role, a drive to pursue a career in commercial law and an understanding of business drivers and commercial acumen.

What rotations have you done?

My first rotation was in Transactions Solutions. During my rotation, I was exposed to a variety of work including M&A transactional work, corporate governance advisory, contract drafting and corporate pro bono work. A highlight was my involvement in a share sale transaction advising an ASX-listed client on the sale of its retail information and communication technology business. It was great to see the transaction recently reach completion. I am currently a lawyer in the Dispute Resolution team for my second rotation. The team is a larger team with expertise in managing a broad range
of major disputes, regulatory investigations and royal commissions. I have had invaluable experience in this team working on large-scale matters with several lawyers and legal technology consultants.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that I am doing varied, intellectually challenging work every day surrounded by supportive and experienced colleagues. It is exciting to work for a large law firm with endless opportunities to meet new people and contribute value to matters. In Dispute Resolution, I am spending most of my time on a significant Royal Commission. My day might involve any or all of project team meetings, conferences with Counsel or witnesses, preparation of court documents or attending a hearing.

How has the team at MinterEllison helped to support you?

My Supervising Partners, colleagues and Talent have reiterated on multiple occasions that the Graduate Program is an opportunity for learning. As a result, I have felt comfortable asking for help during both my rotations and having a go at tasks even if I am out of my comfort zone. The firm has also always supported my contribution to pro bono work and attending as many firm-wide or team training sessions as possible, both of which were important to me when I was learning about firms during the clerkship process.

If you could tell your Uni student-self one thing, what would it be?

Take advantage of learning opportunities including electives and extra-curriculars. You will never regret doing so! I used these experiences to learn about myself and gradually piece together the type of work and areas of law I was interested in when it came time to think about applying for clerkships.

Do you have any advice for those going through the clerkship process?

Connect with as many people as possible across the team you are clerking in, and the firm. Someone will always be willing to go out for a coffee!

Be enthusiastic and curious about the matters you are involved in.

Be genuine so you put yourself in the best position to understand whether the firm is the right fit for you, and vice versa. During my clerkship, I felt comfortable being myself and this is what makes the firm unique.