Angela Barac | Partner | Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Focusing on Yesterday:
- Can you share a pivotal moment or experience from your early days in the legal field that shaped your career path?
- Very early in my career I was in a very junior non-legal role which I believed did not have opportunities for growth. I decided to look for another job and I shared my intentions with my boss. It felt like a risk. She listened, responded and offered me other opportunities. I stayed with that organisation for another 13 years, developed my skills in a variety of roles and was encouraged to return to university to study law. I learnt there is value in being honest and sharing your intentions. We don’t always know what our options are, and during those times we should look for guidance from others. I have continued to do that throughout my career.
- Looking back at your journey, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman lawyer entering the profession?
- The biggest challenge was returning from extended maternity leave. I was very uncomfortable about needing flexibility, having reduced confidence after being away for so long and wondering how I could prove myself on my return to work. This was not an issue about my entitlements and workplace support. It was about my perception and understanding about my role as a mother and whether it had changed me. I worked through the discomfort with the support of many amazing women but realised this is a very common issue. I have tried to pay it forward by supporting women in different stages of their lives and careers, and support them to move through those moments of discomfort.
- Can you share a pivotal moment or experience from your early days in the legal field that shaped your career path?
- Focusing on Today:
- What does a typical work day at Maddocks look like?
- We have a very busy practice! I’d like to say that no two days are the same but there are some constants. Every day I am leading and managing the team, settling the team’s work for our clients, mentoring junior lawyers, managing client relationships, and delivering my own work to our clients. There are always other opportunities to get involved in initiatives that are running across the office and firm, they might be sector related, projects involving innovation and technology or inclusion.
- What makes you feel confident at Maddocks?
- Our team! We have built an amazing team of lawyers and administrative support – and we lean on each other. Understanding and valuing each team members contribution is crucial and that’s how we support each other to succeed.
- Based on what you know now, if you could give your younger self some advice, what would this be?
- That you won’t be successful in every step you take – and that is ok – and that there is always something to learn from those mistakes, rejections and missteps.
- I have learnt that every woman has a different journey, a different story, and something to offer. We are not all the same. It is important to recognise their differences, celebrate those differences and find both older and younger people to share your journey with and learn from.
- What does a typical work day at Maddocks look like?
- Focusing on Tomorrow, two polarising quotes which resonate when it comes to changing the world are: "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try." - John F Kennedy, and "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead.
- How do you envision the future landscape for women in the legal profession?
- As one where we actively look for and embrace the differences in all women. We already live in a diverse world and the legal profession should reflect that. Women have been juggling different roles in life for centuries, some with more success than others. Success is very personal so we need to actively support women, with all their wonderful differences, to succeed in the way that they want.
- How do you envision the future landscape for women in the legal profession?
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- What personal action and/or collective initiatives do you believe are crucial for driving greater gender equality
- My personal actions have always been connections and conversations – we have so much to learn from each other and how to champion each other. From a collective perspective it’s crucial that more men take an active role in driving gender equality and being engaged in helping to remove the systemic barriers that still exist in many workplaces across the world.
- What personal action and/or collective initiatives do you believe are crucial for driving greater gender equality
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