6 minute read
Know your Council Member Melanie Tilmouth
The Bulletin spoke to Melanie Tilmouth, who was recently appointed Vice President (Female) of the Law Society for 2021-22, about her career to date, the value of giving back to the profession, and the burning issues in the law that she thinks need to be addressed.
Can you please give a brief overview of your career to date?
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Iam a Family and Divorce Senior Solicitor working at Resolve Divorce Lawyers.
I initially undertook my clerkship with Tony Kerin, who was then at Johnston Withers and it was Tony who sparked my interest in practice, for which I will be forever grateful.
I then worked for a medium sized firm firstly in one of their county offices before moving to their city office a few years later. I always recommend working in the country to graduate lawyers. It is such a fantastic way to have immediate, handson experience and work out where your passion lies without being pigeon holed early on in your career. I slowly gravitated towards family law and it was then that I realised that I wanted to be mentored to refine my skills and I moved to work within Jane Miller’s family law team in a large firm. The resources of a large firm allowed us to work on very interesting and complex matters and Jane was such an inspiring leader and continues to be a great mentor. When Jane was called to the bar I then moved to my current position.
What drew you to a career in law?
Initially, I chose to study law in conjunction with a degree in international studies with the hope of a career in international diplomacy. It was a requirement of my degree at Flinders University that I undertake a clerkship. My clerkship under supervision of Tony Kerin was transformative. He sparked my interest in practice and helped me understand that legal practice is being in the service of others and your community.
What drew you to your current workplace/area of law?
Early on in my career I had no in interest family law but working in general practice in the country meant that I had no option but to give it a go. I then found it so rewarding to help people at some of the most challenging times of their life, particularly given that the decisions I helped them make could have such significant impact on their future.
I was drawn to working at Resolve Divorce Lawyers as it was female led with my director recently having returned from maternity leave like me. The firm sees the opportunity to improve the way in which clients experience family breakdown. I also am a strong believer in the firm’s philosophy that the law is only a part of the puzzle of family breakdown and you need to help your client build a team of support people around them such as psychologists, financial and other advisors to support them to help them achieve their best outcome.
Why did you nominate for Council?
When I began practice in the country, I felt disconnected from the profession so I joined the Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) as a way of reconnecting. This was the start of my journey with the Law Society and when I decided to step down at co-chair of the YLC I wanted to continue to remain closely connected with the profession, and Council felt like a natural step. I feel strongly about giving
Melanie Tilmouth
back to the profession, supporting each other and the community and Council provides those opportunities.
What have you got out of being a Council Member?
I was gained a much deeper understanding of various functions of the Society and the significant amount of work it does for the profession. There is momentous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. I have been able to connect with other members of the profession, outside my area of practice, which has had positive impact personally and professionally.
Some of the key challenges facing the profession include: • The ongoing under funding of the justice system both at a state and federal level.
• Up-skilling lawyers and graduates as the profession evolves. It is no longer enough to know the law. You need to be adequately equipped to provide excellent service to your clients. • The retention of women beyond their early 30s in the law and particularly in leadership roles. • Meeting the challenges that have recently under the spot light including bullying, harassment and discrimination within the profession.
With the increased reliance on technology and artificial intelligence our role as lawyers is less about explaining the law and more about the journey that our client experiences throughout their legal problem. As lawyers we therefore have great opportunities to be creative and offer an experience to our clients, not just an outcome.
Key issues that I think the Society should be advocating for include: • Improved workplaces for lawyers that address the bulling, harassment, discrimination and cultural issues that the profession currently faces. • The underfunding of the justice system at state and federal levels. • The proper funding of the Fidelity Fund. • Legislative reform to make it faster and more cost effective for clients in the legal system. • Access to Justice.
What advice would you give to practitioners who are interested in serving or improving the legal profession and justice system?
Join a special interest committee of the Society to test the water and see if being involved in the society is something for you. There is such a diverse range of committees to be involved it.
I also an advocate for practitioners being kinder to each other. Great outcomes are achieved for our clients through respectful dialogue, not big egos and aggressive communication.
What are some of your interests outside of the law?
I have a 10 week ago old (at the time of print) and a toddler both of whom are keeping me very busy at the moment.
My husband is a winemaker so I have no choice but to enjoy good food and wine.
Yoga and gardening are fantastic antidotes to the busyness that comes with juggling work and parenting. B
Dr Anna Parker has been appointed as a Judge of Division 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), Adelaide.
Judge Parker graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in 2005 from Monash University. She has subsequently also completed a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne and a Doctor of Juridical Science from Monash University.
Judge Parker completed her Articles of Clerkship at Harwood Andrews Lawyers and subsequently practised as a solicitor in the area of family law at specialist family law firms for approximately 10 years, including as a Partner of a family law firm.
Judge Parker was accredited as a Family Law Specialist by the Law Institute of Victoria in 2011. She was called to the Bar in May 2016 and practised as a Barrister exclusively in family law from 2016 until her commencement as a Senior Judicial Registrar and National Operations Judicial Registrar – Judicial Case Management with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in December 2020. While a Senior Judicial Registrar with the Court, Judge Parker was a member of the Rules Harmonisation Working Group and played a critical role in the development of the Court’s new Central Practice Direction and new case management pathway.
Three recent judicial appointments to the FCFCOA announced on 26 November are: • Barrister Richard Schonell SC, appointed to Division 1 of the
FCFCOA, Sydney • Barrister Andrew Strum QC, appointed to Division 1 of the
FCFCOA, Melbourne • Barrister Dearne Firth, appointed to
Division 2 of the FCFCOA, Brisbane
These appointments follow the appointment of 11 new judges to the Court that were announced in October. B
