Straight to Bar Brooke Sojan
Where and how did you begin your career in the law? Brooke: I began my career as a Judge’s Associate in the Family Court WA. Stefan: I started off as a Judge’s Associate in 2015, initially at the WA Supreme Court but spent most of the year working in Brisbane at the Federal Court. After a year at the Courts, in 2016 I returned to Perth and commenced as an articled clerk at the State Solicitor’s Office. Cassandra: I actually started in Singapore. I was done with University and got an opportunity to do an internship at a firm in Singapore. I then returned and decided to go to London where I finished off my ANU GDLP remotely and worked as a temp/ paralegal at several law firms in London. After some travel and on my return to Perth, I started at DLA Piper. I spent time in Sydney and whilst still working in insurance, ensured that I developed my practice as one of a commercial/ construction litigator thereby gaining a new skill set and area of practice but also making sure that I kept myself dominantly litigation focussed.
Stefan Tomasich
opportunity. In coming to the Bar, I asked Chris Zelestis QC if I should focus on just one specialised area but he advised that if I had the competency and it’s an area I was previously working in, I should just say yes and allow time and the profession to guide me into whatever practice area I end up in. Verity: I practice in commercial litigation and administrative law with a particular interest in corporate governance, insolvency, resources and judicial review. I also take briefs in Native Title. Currently, I am briefed as Counsel Assisting the Perth Casino Royal Commission.
What made you decide to join the Bar? Brooke: I joined the Bar as I wanted the opportunity to ensure that I was a well-rounded advocate. In my view as a criminal advocate being able to practice as both a prosecutor and a defence lawyer makes you a more well-rounded advocate and being able to practice at the Bar gave me the opportunity not only to be in trial more but also to practice on both sides of criminal law.
Verity: I began my career in the law as a casual clerk at Tottle Partners, working one day a week while I was at University. I was utilised predominantly as a legal researcher by the commercial litigation team, but also gained some experience in drafting court documents and some familiarity with court processes.
Stefan: During my time working at the Court I realised pretty quickly that my interests aligned with practising as a barrister. In terms of timing, when I finished up my post-graduate studies I was at a bit of a cross-roads as to what I should do next. I had the opportunity to join the Bar so I took it.
What area/s of law do you practice in?
Cassandra: I realised that I had done my time in private practice and my end goal was always the Bar. I have friends at the Bar and they were relentless (in a very encouraging and supportive way ha ha) about me coming to the Bar. After thinking about it, I realised it was now or never. I have always loved advocacy and that is why I went to law school and chose this career path. I haven’t regretted the decision for a single day.
Brooke: I practice in Criminal Law, I have previously practiced in some family law. Stefan: I practice in whatever areas people want to brief me! My bread and butter are commercial, insolvency and regulatory matters. However, I try to keep an open mind and keep my practice broad to get as much experience as I can. Cassandra: I’m a generalist. I am fortunate enough to have had a range of experience prior to starting at the Bar. Although I started off predominantly in professional indemnity and public liability insurance litigation, in preparing for the Bar, I wanted to make sure that I had every opportunity to be in Court and practice my advocacy skills and get that wide range of experience. I used the time at the small firm to appear in any and every Court I could and be on my feet at every
Verity: I have always had a special interest in advocacy and came to the point in my career where I wanted to spend more time on my feet in Court.
What is your top advocacy tip for juniors? Brooke: My top tip for juniors is to learn from your mistakes. No one is perfect at any point in your career. We all continue to make mistakes but if you take on board and reflect what you would have done
Cassandra Andrews
Verity Long-Droppert
differently then you will never make that mistake again and you will grow as an advocate. Also take the opportunity to learn from people more senior than you when the opportunity presents itself as the experience will always be valuable. Stefan: I have two, and they aren’t exactly revolutionary. First, get as much experience as you can. Any time on your feet is invaluable. Second, keep it simple. More often than not it is the simple answer that gets you home, not the complicated, convoluted and complex answer. Cassandra: Know your case inside and out and know your procedure. However, if there is something you come across while on your feet that you don’t know or you are asked a question by the Bench, do not hesitate to have that humility to say that you need to stand the matter down and get some instructions or call a friend (and by that I mean a senior member) and work out what it is. Never make anything up and never be too proud to admit you don’t know it all because let’s face it, there is no way you can know every single thing. Law is about constantly learning and developing your skill and using the benefit of having the amazing collegiality that is the Bar and the mentorship that any senior member is always willing to give. Verity: Preparation is key. If you know your material and where you’re going with your line of questioning, everything else will fall into place.
Do you have any funny / war stories from being in Court? Brooke: Throughout my career I have spent a large portion of time in the regions, often consisting of court being in a multipurpose room, police rounding up accused on the list by driving around town with a megaphone and taking instructions by sitting on the floor under a tree. Court isn’t always what you expect it to be. Stefan: I have been pretty lucky so far to avoid any true horror stories. But I have also managed to avoid any funny stories as well. Fortunately/unfortunately commercial work is usually pretty uneventful. Cassandra: One instance particularly comes to mind. It was against a selfrepresentative in the RO court. They were cross applications between neighbours. Very minor stuff. Anyway, I asked if he would accept speaking to me as Counsel for the other side. We were outside
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