December 2021 | Allison Shannon | Special Counsel, Clayton Utz
I became a lawyer because...
I grew up watching a lot of Courtroom shows like Law and Order, Perry Mason and Ally McBeal, so I guess you could say they were my inspiration initially! I also always enjoyed reading and writing and trying to convince others of my point of view, or as my family would describe it, I always had to have the last say (and probably still do). It was also important to me to have a challenging but rewarding job. All of these things pointed towards a career in law and I haven't been disappointed.
The advice I would give to myself when I was studying law would be...
to keep an open mind - whether it be in relation to the area of law you think you want to practice in (and the subjects you therefore choose) or whether you even want to practice law at the end of it. I always thought I would be a criminal lawyer because that was what appealed to me at the time (probably too much Law and Order) and so a lot of the subjects I chose were criminal law related. I also applied for my Articles of Clerkship at predominantly criminal law firms but I ultimately ended up at a boutique workplace relations and employment firm doing my Articles of Clerkship and I have never looked back. I now can't imagine doing any other area of law.
To me, leadership means...
building strong relationships and maintaining effective connections with the people around you including those you work for, work with or manage. In my experience, the best leaders are those that make connections with the people they are intended to lead because ultimately that is what will make them put in the effort and go the extra yards. To build those relationships and connections it is important to encourage, empower and support the people around you and to also challenge them in a positive way, to get the best out of not only them but also the broader team. It also means letting go when you need to and having the trust and confidence in those around you to take ownership and be accountable to help them along in their development.
If I could have dinner with any three people, they would be...
My late maternal grandfather - I was in my early teens when he passed away but he was always so proud of me and my achievements. I was the only granddaughter so we had a pretty special connection. He also had so much in common with my husband and I think they would get on like a house on fire and he would definitely make my three boys laugh with his jokes and stories.
P!nk - Not only is she a great entertainer (I think I'd definitely get her to sing a few songs and maybe do some acrobatics) but she is also an inspirational woman and mother with strong views and beliefs who always says it how it is.
Carl Barron (the comedian) - he really, really makes my husband and I laugh and who doesn't want to laugh at a dinner party?!
