One week after her admission, Jessica Ebser received the call she had been waiting for: a role at the Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland. Since then, she has pursued her passion for criminal law, which was the main reason she pursued law. We caught up with Jessica to find out what a day in her life looks like, how the College of Law’s Practical Legal Training (PLT) program helped her in her role, and why joining the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland has proven so useful and rewarding. 

What did your role at theAboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland involve? 

My first job in law was as a Solicitor at the Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland. I was contacted by the CEO whether I was interested in the position one week after I was admitted, which was very exciting. The role was advertised as a senior role, so I was very enthusiastic about the challenge. In this role, I worked on family law, domestic and family violence, and child protection matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients throughout the Southern Queensland region. The role was based in Toowoomba, and involved regular travel to Murgon, Cherbourg, Kingaroy, and Roma. I attended the Toowoomba, Warwick, and Dalby Magistrates Courts on a regular basis to offer our services to unrepresented aggrieved parties in domestic violence matters. As my first role as a Solicitor, this role was a very interesting, challenging and rewarding experience, and gave me exposure to a wide variety of matters and jurisdictions. 

My interest in criminal law is what led me to my current role. Pursuing a career in criminal law was the primary reason I chose to study law. I then also became interested in family law, domestic violence, and child protection law, which I practised in my first role as a Solicitor. However, I wanted to explore my passion for criminal law, and soon realised that it is the area I am most passionate about.    

Where do you work now, and what is the most rewarding aspect of your role? 

My current role is as a Criminal Lawyer at Aitken Whyte Lawyers. The most rewarding aspect of my role is to advocate for clients who are wrongfully accused and support them in one of the most stressful times of their lives.  

How were the College of Law’s Practice Papers helpful to your work? 

As soon as I started my position as a Solicitor at the Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland, I found the College of Law’s Practice Papers were a very useful practical reference tool for common daily tasks. Personally, I would say I have referred to the Practice Papers more frequently in practice than during PLT program itself. 

What sets your PLT experience apart?  

I decided to enrol in the PLT at The College of Law as it was highly recommended by students who had previously completed the course. The flexibility and the convenience of being delivered mostly online made it manageable to complete around work commitments. As I was working four days a week at the time, I decided to enrol in the PLT program part-time and completed it in eight months. The pace of the course and assessments were manageable and having the flexibility to complete assessments ahead of time was also beneficial.     

The teachers and support staff at The College of Law were always helpful, friendly, and approachable. They provided valuable feedback and were always quick to respond, communicating with students several times a week. I find the teachers and support staff at The College of Law to be very supportive in career preparation, and I have kept in touch with many of the staff since completing the Practical Legal Training course.  

Did you find PLT helpful?  

I use the skills I learned during the Practical Legal Training program regularly in my position as a Solicitor, particularly the practical skills of interviewing clients, drafting legal documents and advocacy skills. 

The oral presentation tasks we participated in during the attendance week assisted me in gaining confidence to appear in Court. Drafting written and oral submissions commonly presented in Court was also beneficial to my role. In my first three months as a Solicitor, I had already appeared in the Magistrates Court, Children’s Court, and in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. 

What inspired you to get involved with the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland?  

I was inspired to get involved with the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland, as it is inspiring to be connected with women in the legal industry and be actively involved in the legal community. The opportunity to be mentored by fellow female legal practising professionals, and opportunities to attend events to network and remain informed about professional and educational opportunities is highly beneficial to junior lawyers starting out in the legal profession.  

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