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Laura Santin’s pink suits are bringing Legally Blonde to Queensland courts

Inspired by her movie idol, a young solicitor and former NSW police officer is bringing a bit of Elle Woods to Queensland’s legal scene, armed with a background in counter-terrorism and a walk-in wardrobe of pink-hued suits.

Wearing head to toe signature pink, this young Mackay solicitor explains how she was inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s famous character.
Wearing head to toe signature pink, this young Mackay solicitor explains how she was inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s famous character.

Laura Santin has always loved Legally Blonde. Now she’s bringing a bit of Elle Woods to Queensland’s legal scene.

Wearing head to toe signature pink, the young Mackay solicitor explained she was inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s famous character because “she is a woman who decides to go to law school on a whim, and it’s to get a boy back, but then she ends up discovering that she actually is intelligent”.

Having grown up in the shadow of more STEM-inclined siblings, Ms Santin had always been told she was not “the smartest”.

However, a desire to help people led her eventually to emulate her teenage idol in both style and substance.

After growing up in Lismore in northern NSW, Laura studied policing and relocated to Sydney for a special constable role with NSW Police, working in high profile counter-terrorism cases.

Solicitor Laura Santin in her pink suit outside Mackay Courthouse. Photo: Zoe Devenport
Solicitor Laura Santin in her pink suit outside Mackay Courthouse. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Even in uniform she continued to sport some form of the colour pink, with selfies from the era taken by a phone in a pink case.

When Covid-19 scrapped her plans for global travel after leaving the police service and she found herself ensconced at home watching legal shows, she decided to make pivot.

“(I thought) ‘well, I can help more people as a lawyer’,” she recalled.

Solicitor Laura Santin in her pink suit outside Mackay Courthouse. Photo: Zoe Devenport
Solicitor Laura Santin in her pink suit outside Mackay Courthouse. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“That’s why I relate so strongly to (Elle Woods), because I just feel like she’s very powerful.

“It was always one of those movies we just happened to have in our VHS collection, and I just loved it so much.”

Laura Santin with a pink phone case during her time with the NSW Police Service. Photo: Contributed
Laura Santin with a pink phone case during her time with the NSW Police Service. Photo: Contributed

Laura completed her Bachelor of Laws at Central Queensland University and, when admitted to legal practice in August 2023, wore pink satin heels and a pink waistcoat under a navy pinstripe suit.

She found a job as a solicitor at Beckey, Knight and Elliot, one of Mackay’s oldest legal firms, and was supported by the partners in signing herself up for criminal cases through Legal Aid.

Laura Santin being admitted to legal practice in August 2023. Photo: Contributed
Laura Santin being admitted to legal practice in August 2023. Photo: Contributed

Laura said her employers had no objection to the now extensive collection of different coloured suits filling an entire wall of her walk-in wardrobe, from various shades of pink to almost every colour in the rainbow.

She said she was learning so much from the “amazing” set of legal professionals at the local Mackay Courthouse, where she can be regularly seen sporting her favourite colour.

The famous "What, like it's hard?" quote from Legally Blonde in neon hangs in Laura Santin's home. Photo: Laura Santin
The famous "What, like it's hard?" quote from Legally Blonde in neon hangs in Laura Santin's home. Photo: Laura Santin

“It’s a bit different in the police where you had to always wear uniform, and so now I get to express myself,” she said.

“That’s why I do like dressing the way that I do, because it is fun and (then) I feel confident for the day.

“What you wear shouldn’t have any reflection on how smart you are.

“If people underestimate me, that’s their problem.

“And it works for me.”

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/laura-santins-pink-suits-are-bringing-legally-blonde-to-queensland-courts/news-story/34dc61ba7536df10467a0214fc367760