Name: Louise Conwell

Firm: Stary Norton Halphen

Title: Partner

Why did you choose to work in Criminal law?

During my studies, I took every opportunity I could to expose myself to different areas of the law. Over time, it became clear to me that criminal law best aligned with my values and interest in being an advocate. Working in criminal law can be challenging, but it is extremely rewarding. I feel very privileged to genuinely love my job and feel as though I am making a difference in the community.

Why did you choose to work at Stary Norton Halphen, what makes working there unique?

For a criminal firm, Stary Norton Halphen is quite large. We also have a number of very highly regarded and skilled senior staff. As a result, lawyers at Stary Norton Halphen get exposure to interesting and challenging work at every stage of their career. The firm encourages lawyers to engage in all areas of the criminal law and to appear as solicitor advocates in a significant number of Court hearings.

It is a privilege to be able to work alongside colleagues that are so committed to just and fair outcomes for their clients.

How has any prior experience, opportunities or classes assisted you in your journey? Is there any suggestions you have for a law student that seeks a career in criminal law?

My advice to law students looking for a career in criminal law is to become as familiar as possible to the criminal justice system. This can be achieved by working in administrative or support roles for firms, CLCs, barristers, local Courts or any number of organisations that do advocacy work in the area. Any type of work that sees you engage with vulnerable community members will assist in the day-to-day work of a criminal lawyer.

I was fortunate to be able to do placements and practical subjects that gave me exposure to criminal law and people that worked in the industry. These types of experiences are valuable when first applying for positions as a criminal lawyer.

How would you describe the culture of Stary Norton Halphen?

Stary Norton Halphen prides itself on continually striving to ensure that the culture of the firm is positive and our staff find value and satisfaction in the work that we do. A major contributor to the excellent culture is that our staff are committed to the core values of access to justice.

We focus on ensuring that lawyers have career development opportunities and assist our lawyers in reaching their specific professional goals. Our partners, as well as People and Culture Manager, meet regularly with staff to understand their goals and ensure that the firm is supporting the lawyers as they do their fantastic work.

What is the most prevalent area of criminal law cases you come across?

Given the size of the firm, lawyers at Stary Norton Halphen have the benefit of being able to work broadly within the jurisdiction. I work predominately on serious indictable matters, but also regularly defend clients charged with offences heard in the Magistrates’ Court. My practice includes homicides; drug and property offences as well as offences against the person.

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

If you are looking to work in criminal defence after graduating, there are a lot of great opportunities to develop skills for your future career. Part time work, placements, internships and practical subjects are a great place to start. It is also important to engage in the jurisdiction, through such organisations as Liberty Victoria. When hiring, we look for candidates that have demonstrated a genuine interest in criminal law but also those that have experience working with challenging, fast-paced environments.

I also think it is very important to try to develop relationships with people that work in the criminal law. Persistence is admired in criminal law, and there is no better time to start developing that skill than at the start of your career.

To find out more about Stary Norton Halpen, you can visit their website here.

Name: Alexandra Murrell

Firm: Stary Norton Halphen

Title: Lawyer

Why did you choose to work in Criminal law?

I was drawn to criminal law by a desire to make a difference. In criminal law, the stakes are higher and you are working directly with people who are often at their most vulnerable and need your help to navigate a system which is overpowering and complex. The work is varied, interesting, challenging and you get to be in court and advocate for your clients every day.

Why did you choose to work at Stary Norton Halphen, what makes working there unique?

Stary Norton Halphen is one of the biggest and most respected criminal law firms in Melbourne. With that size and reputation comes a wealth of knowledge, ethics and good practice which you adopt very quickly. You are encouraged to take on new challenges, and there is never a shortfall of interesting and diverse cases which you are free to take and run with. You will be run off your feet, however you will learn new things and grow as a lawyer every day.

How has any prior experience, opportunities or classes assisted you in your journey? Is there any suggestions you have for a law student that seeks a career in criminal law?

If the class has capacity, I strongly recommend completing the subject Advocacy which is strikingly similar to what you will be doing as criminal lawyer. The witness examination competition is also supremely helpful. You don’t need to complete a clerkship – there aren’t any in criminal law – however prior to joining Stary Norton Halphen, I was lucky enough to work as a legal research assistant within the David Ross Chambers assisting criminal barristers to prepare for trials. The criminal law community is small, and the connections you make by working in chambers is fantastic and will often – as in my case – get you a job.

How would you describe the culture of Stary Norton Halphen?

While the job is demanding, every single lawyer, associate or partner is willing to help you and answer questions on any matter or area of law. You will come to rely on your colleagues, and they will do the same for you and cover any matters or court appearances that you can’t attend. As a result, the culture is welcoming, positive and tight-knit, and you’ll most certainly be invited to a Friday evening knock off drink. I have also had the pleasure of witnessing two very deserving female senior associates be promoted to partner, which is an excellent progression for the firm and industry.

What is the most prevalent area of criminal law cases you come across?

I am completely sincere in saying that you will deal with different cases and come across new charges every day. Your case load will be varied, interesting, and you will be constantly surprised with what comes across your desk. Unlawful assault, theft, criminal damage, breaches of FVIO orders and driving matters will probably comprise your most common matters when you start out. If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with, you can absolutely steer clear. But you’ll often find that you’re excited for a challenge.

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

Reach out to barristers and criminal law firms. Do your research online, but most importantly speak to people in the industry and find out which firms are great and which ones to avoid. Ask what the work is like. Introduce yourself, send through a CV and ask for a coffee or a phone call. Volunteer your services and ask if there are any employment opportunities available (although please note you will need to fund your own PLT and balance those commitments). There is no uniform graduate intakes, so build your network, and keep a look out for employment opportunities. I would also recommend taking a trip down to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. Ask the registry which court room is the busiest, and sit back and watch the drama unfold. You will learn a lot and see if the industry is right for you.

Any additional comments you would like to include?

It’s often demanding, stressful and organisational skills are key. But it’s incredibly rewarding and I promise you it’s great fun.

To find out more about Stary Norton Halpen, you can visit their website here.