Bonnie Phillips | Principal Lawyer and Head of Family & Relationship Law, Accredited Specialist (Family Law) | Coulter Legal/strong>
- Focusing on Yesterday:
- Can you share a pivotal moment or experience from your early days in the legal field that shaped your career path?
- A wise mentor once said to me “don’t delay having children because you’re waiting for the ‘right time’ in this industry – the right time will never come”. I have since learnt from this (and from starting my own family) that it is not the “time”, but the “place” you are in that is the most important factor when making decisions about the furtherance of your career and your personal life. Being in the right workplace, with the appropriate supports, mentors and leave entitlements, you can enjoy a successful and rewarding career (albeit busy!) together with growing a family or pursuing other personal endeavours. One should be put on hold for the other – this may only lead to regret.
- 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 Coulter Legal look like?
- In my capacity as Principal Lawyer and Head of the Family & Relationship Department at Coulter Legal across Melbourne and Geelong, it is fair to say that no two days are ever the same. A significant part of my role involves managing and supporting the 26 staff within my department, together with being part of the Coulter Legal Leadership Team, which engages in the management of the firm more broadly. The other important part of my role involves advising and appearing on behalf of my clients in all aspects of Family & Relationship Law, including divorce and de facto separation, complex property/ financial disputes, and parenting disputes. I find this work to be both challenging and rewarding, and I enjoy supporting my clients through what can otherwise be a very difficult and overwhelming time in their lives. I take great joy in watching my clients emerge from the separation process feeling stronger and more empowered moving forward.
- Based on what you know now, if you could give your younger self some advice, what would this be?
- Being part of a positive culture is pivotal to your success in this industry. Don’t settle for the wrong fit for you. Actively and unapologetically seek out a workplace that openly supports women, leads by example, and understands the importance of championing women in the profession. This will help you achieve the goals that you are striving for, with less “noise” that otherwise comes from being part of a negative culture, and will allow you to be the best version of yourself both professionally and personally.
- What does a typical work day at Coulter Legal 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.
- What personal action and/or collective initiatives do you believe are crucial for driving greater gender equality and representation within the legal profession?
- Educate yourself and those around you with respect to gender equality and representation within the industry, and what it really means. Speak up and live by example to help others understand how they can make even the smallest difference in this regard.
- What personal action and/or collective initiatives do you believe are crucial for driving greater gender equality and representation within the legal profession?
