Friedman Lurie Singh & D’Angelo personal injury lawyer Angela Pollard reveals why she believes the legal profession chooses the person and the biggest issues facing the industry.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
I don't remember making a conscious decision to become a lawyer but l've always been a person to enjoy reading, writing and analysing so I guess law was something I was naturally drawn to. I was attracted to law because I liked the analytical skills it required, i.e. interpreting the law, applying the law to the facts to determine the conclusion. Lawyers tend to share a common way of thinking so I believe the profession chooses the person!
How long have you worked at Friedman Lurie Singh & D’Angelo and what brought you to this position?
I commenced working at FLSD on 10 October 2011. Prior to working at FLSD I was working in a small personal injury firm, for a sole practitioner. Whilst I learnt a lot from working in a small firm I made the move to FLSD as I was looking for a challenge and wanted to broaden my horizons.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Sandra Bullock - because she's my favourite actress.
Nat Fyfe - so I could get his autograph for my husband who is a passionate Dockers supporter.
Jamie Oliver - so he can cook dinner! (joking) I like watching his cooking shows. He seems like a nice guy who would make interesting dinner table conversation!
You’re based in Perth – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
My favourite place to go to in the city is the Belgium Beer Cafe - it has formal and casual dining as well as my favourite beer, Hoegaarden !
What’s the best piece of advice (work or personal) you’ve ever been given?
To focus solely on one task at a time, to think things through carefully and never to rush anything.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Exercise, walking my dog, movies, music, reading novels and travelling.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
Working in either house design or interior design – in the process of building my own home I realised these were areas that I enjoyed.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia?
The growth of social media and defamation. It's becoming too easy to plaster defamatory comments in cyber space these days. I also think the growth of social media will increasingly bring up issues of an invasion of privacy.
If you had the Prime Minister’s job for one day, what would you do?
Increase the statutory jurisdictional maximum in criminal injuries compensation cases - $75,000.00 isn't adequate for persons who suffer serious injuries.Increase funding for the mental health care system especially for home care services.
What do you love about your job?
The diversity - each case is different, no case is the same so things never get boring.I love the feeling of achieving a good outcome for somebody who has been through a bad time.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
If I could force insurers to respond to me quicker this is something I would do.
