Name: Sophie Parsons

Firm: Doogue + George

Title: Partner and In-House Counsel

Why did you choose to work in criminal law?

Criminal defence lawyers play an important role in safeguarding our client’s rights in the criminal justice system. It is richly rewarding to engage with diverse and complex legal issues and cases, develop sound forensic judgment, and appear in court as an advocate. Criminal defence was always a natural fit for me because of a strong sense of fairness and justice, and an interest in people, and empathy for the many complex challenges people face in their lives.

Why did you choose to work at Doogue + George; what makes working there unique?

As Partner and In-House Counsel my role is unique. I primarily work as an advocate as part of a team with other lawyers from our firm, and also barristers including Senior Counsel (KC). My role involves examining and cross-examining witnesses and making legal submissions before Magistrates and Judges. I also represent clients in a broad range of complex criminal defence matters and disciplinary proceedings related to criminal allegations. As an extension of my role as an advocate, I enjoy facilitating the internal training program at our firm which involves assisting our lawyers to develop a range of practical legal skills.

What other jobs and/or experiences have helped you as a practising lawyer?

I have an interest in First Nations justice and I spent several years working as a solicitor & barrister in criminal defence at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) based in Darwin. It was a privilege to be part of an organisation providing high quality, culturally proficient criminal law services to First Nations people all over the Top End. I gained a broad range of experience in a challenging environment and made life-long friends. After I joined Doogue + George Defence lawyers, my experience led to a number of referrals from witness and legal authorities in the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.

How would you describe the culture of Doogue + George?

Doogue + George is a friendly and inclusive place to work. Our team of lawyers and business services staff work hard and care about our clients. As lawyers we are encouraged to further our interests and skills and attend a range of interesting professional development opportunities. We are also supported as people in a holistic way. It is recognised and appreciated that we all have lives and responsibilities outside of work. We enjoy working together as a team to further the work of our firm and clients, and uphold our shared values of empathy, justice, advocacy, and integrity.

What advice would you give to a student who is interested in pursuing a career as a criminal lawyer once they graduate?

As criminal defence lawyers, we have a particular skill in understanding people, many who are from culturally diverse backgrounds. We support people through lengthy investigations and court procedures. We appreciate everybody has a story to tell, and that nuances and ambiguities exist as part of the human experience. In this way, varied life and professional experience is useful for students interested in pursuing a career in criminal law, as is an analytical mindset, and emotional intelligence. It is also helpful to gain exposure to our court system and criminal justice issues, and client-focused work environments. 

To find out more about Doogue + George, you can visit their website here.

Name: Ophelia Hollway

Firm: Doogue + George

Title: Senior Associate

Why did you choose to work in criminal law?

I chose to work in criminal law because I’ve always had a fascination with criminology and human behaviour. Criminal law is an area in which you have the opportunity to delve into a person’s social history in order to understand the drivers of behaviour. It also provides a platform for creativity and intellectual stimulation in that our job as defence lawyers is to outline the alternative explanation for a particular set of circumstances. This requires you to think analytically and creatively.

Why did you choose to work at Doogue + George; what makes working there unique?

I chose to work in criminal law because I’ve always had a fascination with criminology and human behaviour. Criminal law is an area in which you have the opportunity to delve into a person’s social history in order to understand the drivers of behaviour. It also provides a platform for creativity and intellectual stimulation in that our job as defence lawyers is to outline the alternative explanation for a particular set of circumstances. This requires you to think analytically and creatively.

What other jobs and/or experiences have helped you as a practising lawyer?

I signed up for as much volunteering and work experience as I could at university which set me up for graduate work down the track. I found the volunteering work extremely rewarding as I had the opportunity to hear the stories of people from all sorts of backgrounds. The time I spent overseas working on death row solidified my commitment to the criminal law and was also a formative experience on a personal level. I formed lifelong connections with like-minded lawyers who share a commitment to defence work.

How would you describe the culture of Doogue + George?

The culture of Doogue + George is one of warmth, support and dedication to our clients. We share ideas with one another about our cases and can always rely on each other for help when we need it. We are held to high standards of work because those standards ensure our clients receive the best possible service in defence of their case. 

What advice would you give to a student who is interested in pursuing a career as a criminal lawyer once they graduate?

Work hard, treat everyone with respect no matter their level of seniority and don’t let your ego get in the way of growth. You won’t know everything when you start out, so acknowledge what you don’t know and relish the opportunity to learn.

To find out more about Doogue + George, you can visit their website here.

Name: Annamiek-Van-Loon

Firm: Doogue + George

Title: Associate

Why did you choose to work in Criminal law?

It all started at an excursion to Barwon prison during legal studies in high school. Talking to convicted offenders showed them in a light I had not perceived. They had things to say and sympathies circumstances. I am a people person when I started my JD, I quickly realised I wanted to solve people problems, not business problems. I was taught growing up of the importance of standing up for myself and others. It was a combination of these factors that attracted me to criminal defence work.

Why did you choose to work at Doogue + George, what makes working there unique?

Before starting, what I knew about the firm is that it was led by dedicated, well renowned and experienced directors, and that it set itself apart from other firms by being extremely well run, dedicated to the heart and soul of defence work and its unique structure that includes in-house counsel. Upon starting, I was excited to learn that the firm provides weekly training, interstate travel for amazing conferences and a great social culture. 

What other jobs and/or experiences have helped you as a practising criminal lawyer?

Before this role, I worked as a legal assistant for a small defence practice in Essendon and was a Judge's Associate at the County Court of Victoria for 18 months.  

How would you describe the culture of Doogue + George?

There is a strong family feel to the business. It is a close, supportive workplace. We work hard (individually and collectively) and are lucky to be rewarded with many social events and outings to ensure we spend time enjoying each other’s company in a relaxing context!

What advice do you have for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in criminal defence once they graduate from law school?

The power of the network is critical. Get to know people in the field. I don't enjoy traditional networking but through my work experience and love for people, I was able to build a network which has made recruitment and the work itself easier and enjoyable. Shadow lawyers / barristers / judicial officers, intern, apply to be a Judge's associate. The more you expose yourself to, the more opportunities there will be. 

To find out more about Doogue + George, you can visit their website here.