WORKING IN WORKPLACE RELATIONS WORKING IN WORKPLACE RELATIONS PRACTICING PRACTICING EMPLOYMENT LAW EMPLOYMENT LAW

Michael Stafford Michael Stafford

Michael Stafford is part of Deakin University’s Workplace Relations Team He primarily practices Employment Law

Why did you choose to study employment law?

I didn’t specifically choose this as an area of study Studying law at University requires that you get experience in many areas of law While studying, I gained paralegal experience in criminal, family, and administrative and insurance law When I was first looking at jobs, I focused on applying for ones relating to the subjects I found more interesting Luckily for me, I got a job in employment law which is a very dynamic area of law that evolves quickly based on the policies of the government of the day

What is the best thing about the legal field?

There’s a good camaraderie within the legal professionI’ve made friends for life

What was your journey into law?

After finishing school, I studied Arts at Monash University I then chose to study law because it offered me an opportunity to obtain a diverse skillset that could be used in a multitude of ways in the future I studied law at Deakin because they offered online classes (something which wasn’t very common at the time). This enabled me to work while studying After completing my degrees and the subsequent practical legal training through Leo Cussens, I took two years off to travel and live abroad in Canada and Europe. Upon my return I sought full time work, but I didn’t find a job immediately as it can be a highly competitive to get your first job However, I stuck with it knowing I had the skills to be an asset to any team - it paid off After a few years working in a private law firm, I moved in house to Deakin and haven’t looked back

What is the most rewarding part of the legal field?

In my area of practice, I help maintain an employment environment that supports people and helps them manage difficult periods in their life and produce their best work. Doing this at a University has the added perk of contributing to a workplace that is endeavouring to solve generational issues through technology, research and knowledge transfer to students

Do you have any advice to future students?

Get involved!

There are so many support mechanisms, programs, and people who support up-andcoming lawyers. Put yourself out there and you will see opportunities unfold Also, there’s more than one path to get where you want to go so keep chipping away

Finally, are there any interesting cases you have worked on?

I was involved in a case which ultimately clarified an important and previously uncertain legal issue regarding enterprise bargaining