Natasha Andrew | Maurice Blackburn

I love practising law because…

I can make a difference.  As a lawyer it easy to get weighed down by the sheer volume of matters you have carriage of and all the various tasks you need to attend to. Law is so much more than the transactional work that needs to be done. It is about the people you have the privilege of assisting each and every day. Assisting them in navigating and accessing all of their compensation entitlements whether that be a substantial common law damages claim or simply trying to access the physio treatment they require. The work can be complex, frustrating and gratifying but above all it has meaning. Meaning that is born from the work and which puts a pep in my step every day!

To me, mentoring means…

Sharing. Sharing the journey and challenges I have had in pursuing law as a career to hopefully benefit others in their journey. Sharing the learnings that have helped me along the way. Paying forward all the support I have been fortunate enough to receive from my colleagues in the profession. And finally sharing my time and support, and in return learning so much myself.

A career highlight of mine is…

Becoming a lawyer! Having had a whole other career as an academic, I chose to return to Uni with a 6-month-old baby and a pre-schooler, a job to hold down and a mortgage to pay and set out on this journey! What was I thinking! It was tough at times, but I never lost sight of that goal to work in a plaintiff law firm and am so grateful to be doing the work that made me return to Uni in the first place. To be able to be admitted in the Supreme Court with my daughters, my partner and parents present with me is a moment I will always cherish.

Outside of the law I enjoy…

Being out in nature, listening to music, being politically and socially active and hanging out with those girls of mine who give life its fullest meaning!