By Katariina Hatakka -
When I applied to study law at King’s College London in my last year of high school in Germany, I did not imagine that I would one day be living, and working as a lawyer, in Sydney. I envied the people who had their career planned out in high school and chose their degree accordingly. I could not even decide where I wanted to live and work, yet I chose one of the least transferable careers: law.
Born in London to Finnish German parents, I grew up in Poland. I completed a one-year high school exchange in Sydney and finished high school in Berlin. My university degree was based in London and Berlin over a period of five years, with the opportunity to complete the German two-year practical legal training culminating in the dreaded final second state exam. My decision to study English and German Law was initially due to my indecisiveness. I did not want to restrict myself to working in Germany and this paid off in the long run.
After I graduated, I spent a year and a half working in-house at a technology agency in Berlin. I moved to Sydney shortly before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding a job in law in Australia without an Australian law degree was never going to be easy, but in 2020 it was nearly impossible. I was over- yet under-qualified for paralegal positions. Law firms – understandably – prioritised Australian law students. I researched the re-qualification process but could not get a clear picture of how lengthy and expensive it would be or the visa requirements. In the absence of in-person networking opportunities, I could not get answers to my questions regarding the practicalities of the process.
The only networking event I attended in Sydney before COVID restrictions were implemented was a “Women in Law” drinks that I was invited to by an Australian German law firm that I had contacted upon my arrival. A year later, the same firm offered me my first Sydney-based temporary position as a foreign law consultant. Once I knew people in the industry that understood my challenges, it was easy to answer all those questions I could not find the answers to the previous year. In my first week at work, I not only found out about the different pathways to re-qualifying as a lawyer in NSW, but also applied for my academic qualifications to be assessed by the Legal Profession Admission Board: My random but practical decision 13 years prior to study English Law (as well as German Law) entitled me to an exemption from undertaking 15 of 20 courses. Any less and I might not have persisted.
I completed the five courses that I was not exempt from through the online evening courses offered by the Legal Profession Admission Board. This pathway was open to me as I was on a partner visa, and I completed the courses in over a year while working part time.
What the courses taught me
The courses helped me understand not only Australian law, but also Australian society. Constitutional law was particularly useful. It showed how Australia differs from other jurisdictions and explained the foundations of its political system and culture.
My continued contact with some of the inspiring lawyers I had met at the pre-COVID networking event, helped me to secure a graduate role at Resolve Litigation Lawyers. I eventually completed my studies, practical legal training and was admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales.
I have been with the firm for over five years now, mainly practising in commercial disputes and litigation. I have worked my way up through the firm and was recently appointed senior associate.
It takes effort to build a network in a place you did not grow up or study in, so I strongly recommend getting involved in associations and societies relevant to your area of specialty and interest. I am actively involved in a number of committees, for instance, I am the current Vice-Chair of the Civil Litigation Sub-Committee of the NSW Young Lawyers, and I am the NSW Young Lawyers Representation on the Litigation Law and Practice Committee of the Law Society of NSW.
Starting over in my thirties was a humbling experience. While many of my friends were setting up their own firms, I was starting from scratch. But I find there is nothing more valuable than being humbled.
