Louise Coleman, associate at Wotton + Kearney tells Australasian Lawyer why she’d have Richard Branson for dinner if she could.
Louise Coleman, associate at Wotton + Kearney tells Australasian Lawyer why she’d have Richard Branson for dinner if she could.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
A genuine passion for the law and the intellectual stimulation it provided, along with the idea that by understanding how the world ticks I would possess the tools to help make a difference.
How long have you worked at Wotton + Kearney and what brought you to this position?
I joined the Wotton + Kearney team in November 2015, having the privilege of being one of their founding Perth office members. It is an exciting time for Wotton + Kearney extending their strong insurance expertise out West, and I wanted to be a part of it.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
Strange cases take me back to my workers’ compensation days, where the matters brought me lots of weird and wonderful characters.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Richard Branson to pass on some entrepreneurial tips, Jerry Seinfeld to bring back some of that dry humour I grew up with and Leonardo Di Caprio because, well, every now and again a young girl’s dream has to come true.
You’re based in Perth – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
Print Hall and Lalla Rookh have always treated me well for a Friday night drink. In terms of dinner, Meeka in Subiaco serves up some delicious Moroccan cuisine while Matilda Bay is good for some seafood on sunset.
What’s the best piece of advice (work or personal) you’ve ever been given?
“Never walk without a document in your hands: People with documents in their hands look like hardworking employees heading for important meetings.” - George Costanza
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Given that the entirety of my leave gets used escaping to the Alps, it seems as though snowboarding may be my hobby. There is no greater bliss than kicking back with a glass of red after a long day on the slopes. In fact I am back in Japan next week…
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
Wandering the globe.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia in 2016?
Certainly a long term issue is the rapid development of technology within the legal industry, such as automated tools that conduct simple tasks previously undertaken by lawyers. Whilst there are benefits with embracing technology, simple tasks such as discovery are a great way for junior lawyers to cut their teeth. At least at this stage, consideration should be given to the extent to which technology should be allowed to be implemented within the industry.
If you had the Prime Minister’s job for one day, what would you do?
Halt the sale of Australia’s precious resources to foreign investors. Oh and make the Melbourne Cup a national public holiday.
What do you love about your job?
Learning about a variety of topics on a technical level, being surrounded by sharp individuals and having the ability to assist others in a meaningful manner.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
All I could wish for is more hours in a day, and perhaps an office in the Alps.
