Aitken Partners associate Sarah Ward takes five minutes to tell us about the strangest case she’s ever worked on, and the biggest issues facing the legal space in Australia this year.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
I decided I wanted to become a lawyer after taking Legal Studies at school. I had an excellent teacher who encouraged me to pursue a career in the law and I obtained the marks to have the opportunity to study Law and Business at Uni.
How long have you worked at Aitken Partners for and what brought you to that position?
I have worked at Aitken Partners since November 2010 in the Commercial and Property teams. I came from a small firm in QLD and the opportunity that is found in a city like Melbourne was the motivation to make the big move.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
Attending premises leased as a pizza restaurant to find a family living there with four dogs and a
sheep.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Dame Roma Mitchell, her life contained many firsts and I am sure she would have a few stories to tell, Dave Hughes to lighten up the conversation and Elvis Presley to sing for us.
You’re based in Melbourne – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
Campari House, Collins Quarter, the Mitre Tavern, we are spoilt for choice.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
Never stop challenging yourself.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
In Winter I love to go skiing! I am also attempting to learn French.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
Bored, I genuinely enjoy what I do.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia in 2014?
An abundance of law graduates and not enough jobs in the profession.
If you had Tony Abbott’s job for one day, what would you do?
Make a public holiday between the Queen's Birthday and Melbourne Cup.
What do you love about your job?
Being able to work in the areas of law that interest me and the people. I also like that my job is different every day depending on what I am working on.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
The coffee.
