Five minutes with Maddocks special counsel, Greg Badcock.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
In all honesty, it just seemed like a good idea at the time. I enjoy problem solving, was stronger in the humanities than the sciences, and wanted to work in a service industry. Law seemed the obvious choice.
How long have you worked at Maddocks and what brought you to this position?
I have been at Maddocks four years this July. The firm's government focus was the principal attraction but also the opportunity to assist start up a new office and help shape the direction and the culture of the office.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
The construction of a fence. I once assisted a client with the procurement of a fencer to construct a two metre high, barbed wire topped, chain link fence around a remote and unoccupied facility. The fence was required to prevent people from using the buildings on the land as a source of free building materials (most commonly cladding and colour bond roofing). Unfortunately it was discovered at the next site inspection, following the completion of the fence, that it too had been stolen, leaving the client with a ring of empty post holes around the perimeter of the property.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Because I am not always very good with names:
- Paul Kelly, the former Sydney Swan;
- Paul Kelly, Australian singer/songwriter; and
- Paul Kelly, the political journalist.
Also, three interesting people, all with stories to tell.
You’re based in Canberra – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
Home, where the company is always good, the servings are generously sized, and the beer is always cold.
Or, the RUC at Turner Bowls (proud supporter of ANU Cricket Club – see further below).
What’s the best piece of advice (work or personal) you’ve ever been given?
Watch the ball.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
I am heavily involved, as a player and administrator, at the ANU Cricket Club, and also sit on the ACT Premier Cricket Committee. My favourite couple of hours each week in the winter are watching my sons play rugby and I enjoy spending time in my yard (which I am trying to covert from a building site to a garden).
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
…on the ground staff at Manuka Oval.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia in 2016?
There are so many lawyers doing so many different things, it is hard to think of a single issue that affects us all. The industry will continue to evolve and adapt, and some will evolve and adapt with it better than others. I expect it has always been like this.
If you had Malcom Turnbull’s job for one day, what would you do?
Commit to ending Indigenous inequality (particularly in health and education).
What do you love about your job?
Working with people. All of our clients are busy, trying to get things done. I genuinely enjoy being able to help them to do that, and like to be able to feel as though I have helped them get out the door on a Friday night content that things are under control and heading in the right direction.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
Looking at my desk, I think it is time we went fully paperless.
