Rod Smith, consulting principle, Nexus Lawyers, tells Australasian Lawyer why he’d have Kurt Cobain to dinner if he could.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
I wanted to learn how things worked and how to use that knowledge to make a difference.
How long have you worked at Nexus Lawyers, and what brought you to this position?
I have been working with Nexus lawyers for 3 years as an agency lawyer; however I’ve been a Consultant Principal for a few weeks now. The dispersed legal practice model works best for me given the flexibility and autonomy I need to pursue my projects outside of my legal career.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
I once settled a commercial dispute regarding a wildly underpriced piece of fine art.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
John Lennon, Jimmy Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. A boozy listening party, then a jam.
You’re based in Sydney – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
I like Tokyo Bird for Friday happy hour and tasty grilled things on sticks. Otherwise, Café Nice at Circular Quay for very civilised Southern French or Mamak near Chinatown for late night Malaysian.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
Be yourself.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Yep. I’m a musician fronting a band called, North Arm. Also, I love to dabble in visual arts, however I’m shy about it.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A full time recording musician. However, I always wished I could skateboard like a pro.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the commercial space in Australia in 2015?
The tectonic shift in Australia away from a resource focused economy. Australia needs infrastructure and industrial relations reform.
If you had Tony Abbott’s job for one day, what would you do?
All the things he’s not doing, if you catch my drift.
What do you love about your job?
The clients I work for and the things that I can help them achieve.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
The reputation of lawyers generally. We get an unreasonably harsh rap.
