Gadens solicitor Paul Catchlove is a lawyer to watch. Paul picked up both the Rising Star of the Year and Excellence Awards at the recent Australian Law Awards. He graduated with First Class Honours from Queensland University of Technology in December 2017, a feat he accomplished while working as Chief Operations Officer of the Go Australia Group. He completed his College of Law training in April 2018. Insights spoke to Paul about how it feels to receive both awards, what he feels contributed most to his recognition, and what he enjoys most about his chosen profession.
“I feel exceptionally humbled to have won the awards,” said Paul. “It is encouraging of the work that I have done to date, but even more so of the amazing people who have enabled me to do what I do. I must acknowledge my wife who is an amazing and unrelenting support and my gifted and talented colleagues who inspire, support and challenge me every day.”
His achievements are even more impressive given the Excellence Award is not open to nomination, but simply awarded to the highest-scoring lawyer across the individual categories of the Australian Law Awards.
“I think the main thing that contributed to me being recognised was the variety of different things in which I am involved. I work in corporate advisory at Gadens, I’m a sessional academic at Queensland University of Technology, I founded the first Australian chapter of Legal Hackers in Brisbane and I coordinate the Queensland Chapter of the Finland Australia Chamber of Commerce. I am fortunate that the mix of these things help to grow and develop both my hard and soft skills.”
Paul finds it immensely rewarding to be considered a trusted adviser for his clients, helping to find creative solutions to their problems.
“I think it is a privilege to be engaged by clients to work for them and then to be invited back to do more work based on the quality of previous work you have provided,” said Paul.
Founding the first Australian chapter of Legal Hackers contributed to Paul’s recognition in the Australian Law Awards.
“Over the last 5-10 years there has been a giant leap forward in technological advances. I could see a need to bring people together to understand the disruption from technology as an opportunity to innovate. When I got in touch with the board of Legal Hackers to see what was happening in Australia, I was informed that there were no active chapters were operating in Australia. I was then encouraged to start a chapter here in Australia.”
His first year as a lawyer has kept him busy, and Paul hasn’t been able to run as many events as he would have liked.
“My hope is that events will increase in 2019 and that we will be able to find creative solutions to assist the legal profession and the clients we serve.”
For lawyers keen to follow Paul’s example and achieve early career excellence, Paul’s advice is simple.
“Work hard and apply yourself to your craft, develop your soft skills, grow your networks and find yourself a good mentor - or even a few.”
You might also like to read
Linda Kochanski wins FDRP of the Year and ADR Academic of the Year
Krish Nath wins best graduating student in Commercial Litigation
