Michael Lawson

Senior Associate - Mallesons Stephen Jaques

Graduated in:
 
2006

Course completed:

Bachelor of Laws (honours)

Currently working for:

Mallesons Stephen Jaques

How long have you been working for this organisation?

5 years

Position title and short job description:

Solicitor, Mergers and Acquisitions.
 
Working highlight so far:

As a very Junior Solicitor, becoming part of the Mallesons team acting for Telstra on the T3 transaction - an early introduction to the hard work, difficult issues but equally great rewards that are part and parcel of large MandA transactions. More recently, acting for BG Group in its ongoing development of a large LNG Plant in Gladstone, Queensland - a very large and exciting resources and energy project for Australia.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Working on challenging, often complex matters, and with highly intelligent and motivated colleagues. The free gym membership is ok too.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

Impossible to limit an answer to "an area". I continue to seek assistance just about every day with new challenges.  Fortunately my workplace is not short of great mentors willing to spare their time to provide guidance.

What do you intend to do in the future?

For the foreseeable future, continue to progress my career at Mallesons.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

It's very important to try and enjoy your time studying law but ultimately, there is no substitute for hard work if you are to succeed with the course. If you know what you want to do when you complete the course, don't waste any time in trying to establish contacts in the area (clerkships or internships are great if available). If you're not sure of what to do, "try a lot of stuff and keep what works" - get involved with committees, do clerkships, go on exchange, volunteer at a community legal centre - opportunities to broaden your experiences and world view abound so take advantage of them.