Frank Trimboli wanted to help people, and that's exactly what he does today as a commercial litigator
For Frank Trimboli, it’s important for lawyers to work in an area of law they enjoy. He was inspired to become a lawyer because he liked the idea of helping people, and he’s set out and done just that in his career as a commercial litigator, where he enjoys helping clients achieve a positive commercial outcome.
In this February interview conducted shortly after Trimboli’s promotion to senior associate at WRP Legal & Advisory this year, he talks the high cost and time needed in litigation, being cautious of AI tech, and possibly working a background role in politics.
What made you choose a career in law, and what's your favourite part of the job?
Since childhood, I always wanted to be a lawyer. I was probably influenced through movies and TV shows. What I liked was the idea of helping people. And so that’s my favourite part of my job – helping people to get a good commercial result. I want to always help clients to achieve their goals. Often that affects them achieving some of their long-held dreams.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on significant litigation involving oppression of minority shareholders. The case involves almost every aspect and all areas of commercial litigation, from insolvency, property, corporations law and equity.
Recently, I just closed a pro bono matter for JusticeNetSA – we had the terrific result in saving this disadvantaged client’s home.
What tech-related initiatives adopted by the organisation, if any, are you most excited about?
I am interested in investigating LexisNet +AI, although I am still cautious about AI technology at the moment.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last year or so?
Being promoted to Senior Associate at WRP Legal & Advisory was a very proud moment for me, as I had been working towards that for quite a while.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned in the past year and what advice can you give fellow lawyers about it?
Advice I give to fellow lawyers is to try working in an area of law that you enjoy. Work hard. Maintain a good relationship with your peers. Always take careful instructions and understand the facts of any matter that you are working on.
What should the profession focus more on?
Efficiencies in the cost and time of litigation, by focussing on the real issues in dispute and avoid unnecessary and costly skirmishes that ultimately don’t affect the outcome of the matter.
What are the challenges you expect in your practice, and in the business of law in general, going forward? What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
The cost and time that litigation takes. It is so high that it restricts ordinary Australians getting access to justice.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
I’m most excited about commencing my senior associate role, performing more oversight of and teaching our junior lawyers.
If you weren’t in law, what do you think you’d be doing as a career?
If I didn’t do law, I’d probably be involved in politics - in the background, as an advisory role. For instance, working on staff for an MP.
