Ciro Figaro wasn’t destined for a career in property law. In fact, this native of Naples started his career as a criminal lawyer, fighting to free his local community of the mafia. However, romance had other plans, and he uprooted to move half a world away, requalifying as an Australian lawyer. Insights spoke to Ciro about how his latter career passion for property law, what he enjoys most about the area, and how he came to work in the field.
Flirting with property law
Even in Italy, Ciro was drawn to how property law could shape the wellbeing and lives of entire communities.
“The thesis of my Italian Master Law Degree was on Planning Law, so I was already flirting with this field of law,” said Ciro.
With few common subjects shared between his Italian law degree and an Australian qualification, Ciro found himself taking property law afresh in Sydney.
"I found property law one of the toughest subjects in my Australian law degree, so I dedicated more time to it than other subjects,” said Ciro. “I also did my research at the time, and I realised that the real property market in Australia comprised one of the biggest parts of the Australian economy, together with mining.”
This prompted Ciro to seek work with a strata management company based in Sydney. This led him to connect with strata and property lawyers, giving him greater insight into what their day-to-day work involved.
A varied and specialised field
Upon completing his PLT, Ciro committed to a career in property law.
As an Associate Lawyer at Strata Title Lawyers, Ciro has come to specialise in building and construction law.
“I explored many aspects of property law, but building and construction law is especially interesting,” said Ciro. “It merges aspects of property law, contract law and torts.”
“I oversee the Building and Construction Law Department, but I also continue to work on compulsory acquisitions of land, strata collective sales, strata disputes, trees, fences and easements disputes between neighbours.
“This means my work is varied, but still specialised, and I love it.”
Days start with an update to the firm’s Principal and CEO on ‘hot files.’
“In the mornings, I tend to concentrate on the ‘back-end’ construction law work: this involves the preparation of pleadings, briefing of experts, preparation of evidence, court and tribunal appearances and more,” explained Ciro. This work must be finalised to pursue a cause of action against builders, developers or other parties for construction-related building defects.
“I like to leave the front-end construction law work to the afternoon: preparation and negotiation of contracts for the construction of multi-unit residential buildings, and liaison with Engineers, Architects and Fire Engineers,” said Ciro.
Days end with reviews – of licences, easements, or a deed for crane access rights or substratum rights that might concern tunnel construction.
Some aspects of the work, particularly in litigation, can involve quite a battle of wits.
“Strategising the next move in litigation is the most exciting aspect of the job,” Ciro enthused, “Briefing experts and preparing Calderbank letters ahead of the next move feels to me like a game of chess!”
“There are days, however, where I just love advisory work and drafting legal submissions,” said Ciro. “I have my coffee next to me, my trusted legal research website open, and I just reconnect with the academic side of the law.”
Give your career a ‘reality test’
It’s natural to feel uncertain about what area of law you should pursue, advised Ciro.
“You might love a law subject, or a teacher might be particularly engaging, but a good reality test is crucial,” said Ciro.
While he enjoyed his work as a criminal lawyer, he felt he needed a change when he moved to Australia.
“At the time, the real estate market was exploding in Australia, and I did like property law, so I thought, let’s try!”
After a stint in conveyancing, he found he loved working on easements, caveats, licences, strata law and construction law.
“Property Law is very broad and can allow you to remain in touch with many other fields of law while remaining specialised,” explained Ciro. “Since property law is so broad, I encourage you to explore all its different facets, not just conveyancing. The sooner you start, the earlier you will find your place.”
Join a growing profession of property lawyers
For those considering a career in property law, Ciro considers it an area of law buoyed by consistent growth in the Australian property market.
“Population changes, employment prospects and persistently low-interest rates are driving growth in our property markets and property law,” observed Ciro. “Despite COVID-19, I believe the sector will continue to deliver an outsized contribution to the Australian GDP.
“As international borders reopen, growth in Australia’s population will drive demand for apartments and higher density housing in metropolitan areas,” Ciro said. “Unfortunately, builders and developers will also continue to cut corners, using inadequate materials or delivering poor workmanship in residential construction. Lawyers like me will always be here to stand up for residents and ensure their access to decent standards of living.”Interested in a career in property law? Explore your postgraduate options by clicking here