dedicated Media and Defamation group. There are 2 small practices in Perth that focus on defamation (and generally work for defendants), and a smattering of expertise at a handful of other firms (mostly, the large firms). Even the bar has (compared with other practice areas) relatively few practitioners with significant defamation experience. Whilst it wasn’t always the case, most of the media corporations now seek representation from firms in the over East. Most defamation practitioners I know, including myself, maintain good skills as general civil and commercial litigators because the reality is, for most people, there is just much more of that work around. Most people that practice in defamation (perhaps excluding those that act for the media corporations) tend to do so in combination with other practice areas. I spend around 80% of my time working on defamation matters, and only about 20% on general commercial and civil litigation – but my practice is probably the exception rather than the rule. If your passion is in media and defamation law, ask yourself ‘why’ to work out on which side of the fence you’ll be more comfortable. Then, seek out a firm that has demonstrated experience that you can learn from (perhaps by checking the unreported decisions rather than lists of practice areas on websites). Jobs practising exclusively in this area are rare, so be prepared to build your skills more broadly as a civil and commercial litigator – but never let the fire go out on your passion for ‘defo’!
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