Cooper Grace Ward partner Annie Smeaton takes five to tell us about needing more time in the day, and her love of Coco Chanel.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
I had a passion to change the world.
How long have you worked at Cooper Grace Ward for and what brought you to that position?
I have worked at Cooper Grace Ward for nearly six years. I started at Cooper Grace Ward as a senior associate and was attracted to the firm because it has an excellent reputation in the market as a high quality legal firm that looks after its people as well as its clients.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
As a workplace lawyer acting for employers I tend to be involved in many strange cases. People do the strangest things and are very unpredictable at times.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
I would invite Nelson Mandela, because he was an amazing human being; Mary Wollstonecraft, a trailblazing woman so ahead of her time; and Coco Chanel, a style goddess.
You’re based in Brisbane – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
I really like the Gun Shop for dinner or lunch and Public for a drink.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
Honesty, integrity and hard work.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
I have two young children and a partner.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A vet.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia in 2014?
A slow market and significant competition.
If you had Tony Abbott’s job for one day, what would you do?
Make it easier for businesses to employ staff, particularly small businesses.
What do you love about your job?
The fast pace and being able to get a result for my clients.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
A bit more time in the day.
