From the outset of his legal career, Cody McFarlane knew where he wanted to be. Family law is the area he intends to practise in for the long term, supporting families through some of the most complex and sensitive moments of their lives.
As an emerging practitioner, Cody also understood that strong intentions alone were not enough. To serve clients well, he needed depth, practical capability and the confidence to navigate real matters with clarity.
That mindset led him to postgraduate study, where his commitment was recognised with the award for Best Graduating Student in Family Law.
Accelerating learning early in practice
Rather than waiting years to build specialist knowledge through experience alone, Cody chose to accelerate his development early in his career.
“I wanted to learn everything I could about family law,” he says. “I knew I would be practising in this area for years to come and wanted to make sure I could serve my clients to the best of my ability.”
Postgraduate study offered a way to fast-track that learning, while remaining embedded in day-to-day legal practice.
Learning that applies from day one
What stood out immediately for Cody was the practical focus of the Master of Applied Law (Family Law). Unlike his undergraduate studies, which felt more academic, this postgraduate program aligned closely with the work he was already doing.
“The course began assisting me in my legal practice from day one,” he explains. “It aligned with the work I was doing on real-life files at the time and the online delivery meant I could work at my own pace.”
That integration of study and practice allowed Cody to test concepts in real time, deepening his understanding of family law issues as they arose in practice.
Building confidence through deeper understanding
Since completing the program, Cody has noticed a clear shift in how he approaches his work. Most significantly, his confidence has grown.
“I did well in my bachelor’s degree, but it always felt more academic than practical,” he reflects. “The College’s program aligned much more closely with real work and helped me identify legal issues on a much deeper level in my practice area.”
Rather than relying on templates or standard approaches, Cody now feels equipped to analyse matters critically and tailor advice to each client’s circumstances.
That depth of understanding was reflected in his academic excellence. Cody received the award for Best Graduating Student in Family Law, sponsored by the College’s partnership with Parker Coles Curtis.
Developing resilience and professional judgement
Balancing postgraduate study alongside full-time work was demanding, but Cody credits that experience with strengthening his resilience and professional judgement.
“The consistent workload of the master’s, combined with my day-to-day practice, has improved my ability to keep progressing my career each day,” he says.
The program also encouraged him to question why things are done a certain way, rather than simply following precedent.
“This allowed me to be adaptive to change and think clearly before making important decisions for clients,” he adds.
Redefining what professional best looks like
Postgraduate study has also shaped how Cody views success in his legal career. While his definition has always been flexible, he believes depth of knowledge plays a critical role.
“Having more knowledge in your practice area, which can be accelerated through the LLM program, allows anyone to achieve more in their career,” he says.
For Cody, success is less about titles and more about capability and the quality of outcomes he can deliver for clients.
Looking ahead
For now, Cody is focused on continuing to build experience in family law practice. While he is taking a break from formal study, further specialisation remains on the horizon.
“I’ll consider undertaking specialist accreditation training in a couple of years,” he says.
A piece of advice
For lawyers who are unsure whether now is the right time to start postgraduate study, Cody’s advice is straightforward.
“It will never feel like the perfect time,” he says. “But you should dive into it. You can do it.”
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