The Henry Carus + Associates associate advocates for having a life and hobbies beyond work
Last week, Benjamin Pretty talked about wanting to be an approachable lawyer. In the second part of this interview, the Henry Carus + Associates associate and Geelong Cats fan tells Australasian Lawyer about the day he would happily relive for years, and why mental health means so much to him.
My advice to fellow lawyers would be to never underestimate the power of communication and being able to empathise with what a person is going through. As much as our lives as lawyers would be much easier if every piece of correspondence was made through email, we should never underestimate the importance of picking up the phone and speaking with a person directly. Particularly when we expect these people to be paying us for our time and advice.
Without sounding like an HR representative, one of Henry Carus + Associates, greatest assets as a workplace is the collaboration and interaction that occurs between all of the lawyers and the support staff. Since first starting work at HC+A I have felt confident asking questions of anyone at the firm, whether they are a senior associate or a legal assistant, and they will always make the time and effort to speak with you. I have been lucky to be part of the informal mentorship program, which fosters a collaborative and supportive environment. As someone who loves having a conversation with my colleagues it’s been a great way to learn and gain invaluable experience, something that perhaps isn’t always available at larger firms.
I have always tried to be a strong advocate for mental health, particularly with the stigma around mental health that was once in the legal profession. I lost a close childhood friend to suicide this year and I was really thankful for the support the firm and my colleagues offered me. I have been really proud of the Movember initiatives the firm has implemented over the past few years culminating in us raising thousands of dollars in 2024 for Men’s Mental Health.
I believe the profession should continue to focus on and be mindful of the mental health of lawyers. The legal field can be intense, particularly when you are at times very concerned for your client’s wellbeing as well as your own. Again, a massive cliché, but you cannot underestimate the power of a strong work-life balance. Nothing clears my head and stressors better than being able to jump in the car and go to football training with my mates and play sport on a Saturday. We need to continue to emphasise the importance of a life and hobbies outside of work, something that Henry Carus + Associates continues to be very supportive of, and something I hope others in the legal profession have access to as well.
As the legal industry continues to evolve, I expect that adapting to technological advancements will be both an exciting and challenging opportunity. For someone who is not particularly technologically savvy and relies heavily on my support team for something as simple as setting up a Zoom link, I think the introduction of AI will be very interesting in the legal profession. The challenge will be balancing the human side of our practice with the increasing demand for digital tools and quick solutions. The legal industry in general will need to invest in new technologies while ensuring that we don’t lose sight of the personal connection with clients. This last point is something I and the firm pride ourselves on so it will remain a focus.
I’m looking forward to further growing my expertise in personal injury law and continuing my growth as an individual. I’m also excited to continue building relationships with clients, colleagues and people outside the firm such as the barristers who assist greatly with our cases. Each year I really look forward to the matters I hope to resolve knowing that this will be a massive relief for the client’s that you have interacted with for generally over two years at least or sometimes longer.
If I could relive one day, it would probably be being at the 2022 AFL Grand Final being a die-hard Geelong Cats fan. Would happily relive that day every few years or so!
