Getting to know Jodie Sheen

What was your inspiration to study law?

In August 2010, I was lucky enough to be offered a legal secretary traineeship at a small but well-established law firm called Blaxland Mawson & Rose in Cooma. The firm was founded in 1868 and has a long history.

I was a young, single mother. Although I did not realise it at the time, the traineeship was my first step in this amazing journey to a career in law.

After joining Blaxland Mawson & Rose, I was introduced to a wide variety of legal matters. I was taught methods to manage not only clients but also files. During the traineeship, I had the honour and privilege of being taken under the wing of past President of the Law Society, Joanne van der Plaat. I think Joanne saw something in me. She pushed me and inspired me to study law.

What was it like studying law?

Studying law was not an easy process for me. I was a young, single mother and my child had significant health issues. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was suffering from undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions that was affecting my work, studies and life in general.

I was incredibly lucky (and thankful) to have had the ongoing support of the amazing team at Blaxland Mawson & Rose. They encouraged and supported me to persevere. The team there were like family to me.

In 2012, my father passed away under tragic circumstances. The team at Blaxland Mawson & Rose guided and supported me through the ordeal. I know I could not have made it through that time whilst studying if it were not for the ongoing kindness and support of Joanne, Emma, Mark, Kirsty, Tara, Belinda, Karen, and Holley. I would not be where I am today without them, and I am thankful every day that I met them.

In 2014, my then partner and I made the difficult decision to move to Tamworth to be closer to his family, so we had support with our two young boys. I started working at Everingham Solomons in the Family Law department. I was taken under the wing of Sophie Newham who, like Joanne, provided me with guidance and support allowing me to persevere with my studies.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University in 2018. After my graduation, I struggled with mental health issues and there was a lot happening in my personal life including the breakdown of my relationship. I started seeing a professional for help. However, despite the hardships I endured, I continued to persevere, and I was admitted to practice in 2019.

As a result of my experiences, I am passionate about making sure that people with mental health issues are not discriminated against in the workplace. I know how hard it is to practice law whilst battling your own brain.

What advice do you have for others who are contemplating a career in law?

I have two main pieces of advice:

The first is to find someone who will support you and renew your faith in yourself when you cannot. Without people like Joanne and Sophie, I would not be here. The support and compassion I received from them allowed me to persevere even when everything in my head told me I could not do it.

Law is not an easy career, particularly if you are also struggling with mental health issues. Have faith in yourself and prove others wrong.

The second piece of advice I have is to make sure that you have a hobby or side job that is separate from law. For me, it is helping my neighbours by jumping into a tractor to help slash paddocks or jumping into a fire truck to fight fires. These jobs require a completely different set of skills and it allows me to unwind.

Having something else to go to that helps you get out of your own head is vital to ensure you can continue practising law to the best of your ability.