Rising legal eagles: Meet South Australia’s top 22 law graduates and why they do it
From a woman who almost didn’t use her degree to a budding lawyer who found herself at trial 17 days after graduating, these are the SA’s most promising future stars.
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With three major law schools and over 4200 legal practitioners currently practising, South Australia boasts a strong fraternity of lawyers and solicitors.
Among this group are graduate lawyers – young practitioners who have recently finished their university studies and completed their Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice – a journey that can take more than six years.
These positions are highly competitive and are only awarded to top graduates with many firms running programs to attract budding lawyers.
SCROLL DOWN TO MEET SA’S RISING STAR GRAD LAWYERS
After spending four years studying Kahlia Steinert did not think a career in law could make her happy.
“I wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to pursue a career in law or not, but ultimately I decided I would not,” Ms Steinhert said.
“I enjoyed my degree, I enjoyed learning but I obviously understood that studying and practising were very different.”
Instead of following the expected path and heading straight into a legal firm, the now 31-year-old she kept working part time after graduating from University of South Australia in 2016.
“I just continued with some of my other part time work I was doing and just left it for a couple years and I didn’t really have any intention to go back to it,” she said.
But Ms Steinhert could not keep away from the legal world for long and in 2018 joined the Finlaysons Lawyers team as a receptionist.
“It was understood between us that I didn’t want to pursue or didn’t want to be a practitioner at the time,” she said.
Eight months later she leapt at chance to work as a legal secretary in the property department for “something a bit more challenging”.
“The next year (Finlaysons Lawyers) asked if I would be interested in moving into our litigation department as a legal secretary and when I moved into that role I think that’s where my views on what I wanted to do changed,” she said.
“In the beginning, I still wasn’t interested and it wasn’t on my mind that I would change what I was doing but over time, just working with my team and learning about the matters and processes … I was just really interested.
“I was looking at what I enjoyed most about my role and it was more of the paralegal work.”
With her fire for legal work relit, Ms Steinhert enrolled in a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted to practice in October last year.
The now graduate lawyer said she was constantly learning and despite her previous hesitation to join the profession, had found happiness in her work.
Ms Steinhert has already worked on high profile cases and specialised in litigation and insurance law.
“Looking further to the future, I want to be regarded as a lawyer that has a great depth of knowledge and skillet in my practice areas and as someone with great relationships with my clients and peers in the legal profession,” she said.
With clerkship season fast approaching for current SA law students, Ms Steinhert encouraged prospective clerks to stay true to themselves when approaching lengthy applications and often stressful interviews.
“I know it can be a scary process and a scary thought but I think it’s just really important to be yourself and show that when you are applying,” she said.
“I think a lot of places look for how well you’ll fit into the workplace so if they find you relatable that’s great.”
Ms Steinert is among the rising star lawyers who should be on your radar according to SA’s leading legal firms.
Meet 21 more of the most promising graduates.
Evelyn Loh
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2022
Firm: Websters Lawyers
Evelyn Loh hit the ground running after she was admitted to practice and attended her first trial 17 days after she received her certificate.
“It was very much a ‘shaky legs’ experience but to date I have attended and acted in
conciliations and hearings in a range of jurisdictions from the Magistrates Court to the South Australian Employment Tribunal to the Federal Court,” Ms Loh said.
She understands that “nobody goes to a lawyer because they’re having a good day” which is why she strives to make the legal system easy to understand for her clients.
Nina Ash-Clarke
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2019
Firm: Stanley & Co Lawyers
Nina Ash-Clarke grew up with separated parents and uses her first-hand experience to assist her clients during family law matters.
Her career highlight has been a relocation case which resulted in a father being reunited with his child.
“I hope to continue to expand my knowledge within the family law sphere, building confidence to assist clients through even the most complex or intricate of matters,” Ms Ash-Clarke said.
Olivia Coats
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2024
Firm: Norman Waterhouse Lawyers
Olivia Coats admits she was hesitant to pursue family law because she feared it would be emotionally draining.
However, thanks to the support of her team at Norman Waterhouse Lawyers, she is thriving as a family lawyer who enjoys finding positive solutions for clients during difficult times in their personal lives.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed achieving final outcomes for clients through alternative dispute resolution, which avoids lengthy and combative litigation,” Ms Coats said.
Ashleigh De Silva
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2023
Firm: Piper Alderman, Adelaide
Ashleigh De Silva’s career highlights include working on the PeopleFirst Bank merger between Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union.
The University of Adelaide graduate has a keen interest in corporate transactions, corporate governance, funds management and securities law.
“I hope to continue working on exciting and challenging M & A transactions, IPOs and capital raising, while continuing to advise corporations and individuals alike on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, financial services law (including AFSL applications), funds management, corporate structuring matters and securities law,” Ms De Silva said
Christopher Michalakas
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2021
Firm: Grope Hamilton Lawyers
Christopher Michalakas works within Grope Hamilton Lawyer’s busy personal injury team.
As he grows in his legal career, Mr Michalakas looks forward to continuing to refine his skills in negotiation and litigation while being a strong advocate for his clients.
“I take great pride in representing clients that are people, and securing for those people successful outcomes, building meaningful relationships and contributing to justice,” he said.
Cameron Horsell
Graduated: University of South Australia, 2024
Firm: Finlaysons Lawyers, Adelaide
Cameron Horsell’s interests lie in the area of corporate and commercial practice.
The Finlaysons Lawyers employee is also passionate about wine law as he formerly worked for a prominent winery in McLaren Vale.
“My main aspiration is to develop my understanding of all aspects of corporate and commercial law so that I can assist a broad range of commercial entities, from start-ups to large public companies,” Mr Horsell said.
Chloe Cornelius-Inge
Graduated: University of South Australia, 2023
Firm: Cowell Clarke, Adelaide
Chloe Cornelius-Inge specialises in dispute resolution and assists with facilitating mediation.
“As a junior lawyer, my career aspirations revolve around establishing a field of expertise grounded in competence and integrity,” Ms Cornelius-Inge said.
Claudia Van Eckeren
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2024
Firm: Cowell Clarke (Adelaide)
Claudia Van Eckeren chose a career in law because she hoped to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the profession.
So far she said she had enjoyed working on real-life matters and seeing positive outcomes for clients come into fruition.
“This is so different to past experiences in university where hours spent on assignments wouldn’t be put to a real-world use,” Ms Van Eckeren said.
Danielle Ghinis
Graduated: Flinders University, 2023
Firm: Williams Barristers & Solicitors
Danielle Ghinis is a graduate family lawyer who enjoys tackling complex legal issues and assisting her clients.
She recently assisted with preparing extensive documentation for a division one matter on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
“Looking ahead in my career as a family lawyer, my aspirations are in focusing on being considered a practitioner who is committed to maintaining excellent ethical standards and best practice,” Ms Ghinis said.
Dustin van Heuven
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2022
Firm: Johnston Withers Lawyers, Port Augusta
Dustin van Heuven was recently an instructing solicitor in a District Court trial which returned a not guilty verdict for his firm’s client.
“After months of hard work and a significant amount of time with the client, it was an excellent feeling when they received their desired result,” Mr van Heuven said.
As he progresses in his career, he looks forward to continuing his in-court advocacy.
Eric Metcalf
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2023
Firm: Tindall Gask and Bentley, Adelaide and Port Lincoln
Eric Metcalf has his sights set on advancing to a senior role in the future, but for now he works within the family law and wills and estates team at Tindall Gask and Bentley.
“(The highlight of my career as a graduate lawyer has been) assisting clients to achieve their desired outcomes and witnessing the impacts this has on their lives,” Mr Metcalf said.
Ikhwan Fazli
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2024
Firm: LK Law (Adelaide)
Ikhwan Fazli said meeting with clients before and after court hearings has been a defining moment of his career so far.
“As a freshly minted graduate, it has been especially exciting to see the real-world impact of the legal work that we do,” Mr Fazli said.
“It adds a meaningful human dimension which I think is particular to dispute resolution practice.”
Jacob Moore
Graduated: University of South Australia, 2023
Firm: LK Law, Adelaide
Jacob Moore’s career highlight has been working on the Accessible Justice Project (AJP) – a not-for-profit initiative managed by senior practitioners at LK Law.
“The AJP was established to address the ‘missing middle’ in our community – those who neither qualify for legal aid, nor have the resources to afford the fees of a private lawyer,” Mr Moore said.
James Norris
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2023
Firm: Norman Waterhouse Lawyers
James Norris said his experience appearing in the Magistrates Court of South Australia had been “invaluable”.
“This opportunity allowed me to apply my legal knowledge in a practical setting, taking on the responsibility of advocating for clients and interacting directly with judicial officers, which has been both challenging and immensely rewarding,” Mr Norris said.
The University of Adelaide graduate is currently practising in commercial dispute resolution, debt recovery and insolvency and looks forward to specialising in this area one day.
Khevalin Parekh
Graduated: Flinders University, 2024
Firm: Websters Lawyers
Recent graduate, Khevalin Parekh left university with an interest in personal injury law and civil litigation.
“The highlight of my career as a graduate lawyer has been working with my mentor, Andrew Carpenter,” Ms Parekh said.
The Flinders University graduate looks forward to honing her skills as a litigation solicitor and fostering positive relationships with her clients.
Kristen Camera
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2022
Firm: Mellor Olsson Lawyers, Adelaide
Kristen Camera is currently working within the family law team at Mellor Olsson Lawyers and said she found this area of practice “incredibly rewarding and fulfilling”.
“Knowing that I have played a part in supporting families during challenging times, particularly when children are involved, is a highlight of my career,” she said.
Ms Camera aspires to be recognised as an empathetic lawyer who puts her client’s first.
Lucy Tucker
Graduated: University of South Australia, 2024
Firm: Mellor Olsson Lawyers, Clare
At 22 years old, Lucy Tucker has relocated to the Clare Valley to work in a wide range of practice areas which has provided her with the opportunity to grow in her professional skills.
“The benefit of working in a regional law firm is the exposure to varied legal work,” Ms Tucker said.
“I work across wills and estates, agribusiness, property, leasing and conveyancing.”
Ms Tucker is passionate about advocating for regional and rural communities and ensuring they have adequate access to exceptional legal aid.
Maddison Lloyd
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2023
Firm: Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers, Adelaide
Maddison Lloyd has already become a regular attendee to the magistrates and district courts as well as the employment tribunal.
“I enjoy achieving strong outcomes for my clients and then delivering the good news,” Ms Lloyd said.
With a special interest in personal injury law, she hopes to be a mentor to younger lawyers and one day develop a team of her own.
Michaela Puntillo
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2023
Firm: Piper Alderman, Adelaide
Developing her legal skills and interacting with clients, have been Michaela Puntillo’s favourite elements of her budding career in law.
She credits her supportive commercial litigation team for encouraging her growth as a junior lawyer.
“My future aspirations involve gaining extensive experience in handling complex legal disputes with more exposure to court and trials,” she said.
Ryan Caldwell
Graduated: Flinders University, 2020
Firm: Stanley & Co Lawyers
Before becoming a lawyer, Ryan Caldwell worked as an associate to Justice Christine Mead in the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
“It was an amazing opportunity to learn from her honour and gain first-hand experience of how the court processes and trials in particular function,” Mr Caldwell said.
He hopes to one day join the bar.
Shannon Cain
Graduated: University of Adelaide, 2023
Firm: LK Law, Adelaide
Shannon Cain has recently transitioned from a law clerk to graduate lawyer and she is enjoying gaining extra responsibility in her new role.
“An example of this is a matter where my research was the initial basis for our submissions in a case and I was able to sit in court and listen to counsel put forth arguments, relying upon cases and principles which I helped to contribute,” Ms Cain said.
She strives to always do the best for her clients and hopes to be involved in positive legal reform.
Scarlett Davis
Graduated: 2024
Firm: Finlaysons Lawyers, Adelaide
Scarlett Davis has been part of the Finlaysons team since 2022 when she came aboard as a law clerk.
Last year she assisted in a complex matter where she was involved in drafting the contract for one private hospital which was inquiring another private hospital.
“It was a valuable experience that exposed me to major transactions and legal work in the healthcare sector – both of which are very interesting areas,” Ms Davis said.
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