What made you decide to become a lawyer?
It has really been an evolving process of applying my natural aptitudes and preferences, which include working through complex problems and working with people rather than a decision at any given point in time. Although my mum would probably say that I spent my teenage years practising arguing!
How long have you worked at People & Culture Strategies and what brought you to this position?
I have been with PCS for 12 months. I joined Joydeep and the team to open and lead the Melbourne office. This was a natural step for me after working in other specialist workplace relations firms.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
All I can say is that it involved one employee urinating in another employee’s drink bottle and I would rather not discuss it further.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Richard Branson – because I love his independent thought and entrepreneurial spirit and it would be fun to pick his brain; Sheryl Sandberg – for some tips and because I find her extraordinary; Russell Brand because he would talk about all the things you’re not supposed to talk about at a dinner party and it’s fun to break the rules occasionally.
You’re based in Melbourne – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
I like Cookie for a drink and some nice bar food. Gingerboy, Supernormal or Chin Chin are equal first for a fabulous dinner (and well placed close to our Melbourne office).
What’s the best piece of advice (work or personal) you’ve ever been given?
Treat people the way you want to be treated. I really think you can’t go wrong with that.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Yes I love to cook, play with my gorgeous girls and a good dose of retail therapy to balance things out. I would also like to say dancing – Cuban salsa to be exact, but it has been a little while since I took to the floor.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
An organisational psychologist, a designer or a princess.
What do you think will be the single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia in 2015?
The pressure to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated clients and the need to provide a clear value proposition.
If you had Tony Abbott’s job for one day, what would you do?
Pass a law legalising gay marriage.
What do you love about your job?
The wonderful people I work with.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
In a new and evolving practice being nimble and embracing of change is part of the process. There’s nothing on the list right now but I am sure there will be tomorrow.
