Dani and Erin, the two criminal lawyers that I have the pleasure of knowing and being friends with. They are two of the sweetest ladies I know however, don't let this sweetness fool you on their incredible ability to win a great case in the courtroom! They are the go-getters of all go-getters with several projects on the go as well as Erin announcing herself as the first female Director of her law firm since it's beginning (almost 100 years!). We chat about the transition of Uni to a world renowned law firm, why they started their instagram @lady.crim.lawyers plus so much more. These two are beyond inspiring - I hope you enjoy our Q&A.
Could you tell me a little summary of who you both are, what you do and what you’re truly passionate about?
Hello! We’re Dani & Erin, and we’re both senior criminal lawyers at Potts Lawyers. While we’re both based in Southport on the Gold Coast, we travel across Queensland to represent our clients who are charged with criminal and traffic offences, or who are involved in applications for domestic violence protection orders.
We run an Instagram together (@lady.crim.lawyers) and have recently begun consulting for the Griffith University Innocent Project. We’re both passionate about social justice and helping people through what is often a highly stressful time in their life when dealing with the police and court system.
In our spare time (what is spare time?!) we are busy planning Dani’s wedding and other friends’ events (Erin was actually an event planner in another life!). Being the true extroverts that we are, we thrive in social situations – so we love hanging out with our husbands (or husband-to-be in Dani’s case), friends and Dani’s puppy dog, Teddy.
Why did you start Lady Crim Lawyers?
There are a few reasons why we started Lady Crim Lawyers. First and foremost, our Instagram provides us with an opportunity to share information with our clients and the public generally, and to assist them in understanding the criminal law space.
We’re about to celebrate one year of @lady.crim.lawyers – and we have loved using our Instagram as a tool for others to see our personalities and to help break the often-thought-of stereotype that a successful lawyer is someone who is male, aggressive and not at all relatable (because we are none of those things!).
Law is an area that is still very much entrenched in tradition. We saw a gap where lawyers were not utilising social media as a means of marketing – which seems silly because so many other businesses are running successful social media accounts and their marketing is very heavily driven through social media and so we wanted to reach out into that space.
I can only imagine there are a lot of aspiring lawyers out there, what would be your number one tip to securing a job after uni?
There are so many tips we could offer! But – if it had to be our number one tip – we have watched so many law students enter the working world to a job that they end up resenting – which then often turns into leaving the profession altogether. After all of those long years at law school, there’s nothing more disheartening than feeling it has all gone to waste.
SO… Be selective with what firms you apply for! You are so much more likely to be successful in job applications if you are applying to a firm (or organisation) that aligns with your values – and that needs to come across clearly in your CV/application. (And this advice does not just apply to law either!) So, stop sending out the same old CV and cover letter in bulk to as many places as possible. As the wise Dr Seuss once said “There is no one alive that is youer than you" – so celebrate that in your application!
By being more selective, creative and individualised with the job application process, you are more likely to land a job you love, rather than hating life in a firm that is not “you”!
Also, there is a huge push and movement into non-traditional firms who are now acing it in their respective fields. Instagram is a great place to start finding these types of firms. Don’t just assume that the big firms in Brisbane (or your closest capital city) are the only places you should be applying.
How would you describe yourself as a leader?
Given that we are both relatively early in our careers, we know and appreciate what it is like starting out. We like to believe this has made us very mindful of providing a supportive and encouraging environment to our junior colleagues. We strive to be role models for younger female lawyers in particular, by not shying away from the fact that we are compassionate women and have confidence in our own abilities as a female lawyer in a largely (and traditionally) male dominated space.
What is something you love AND dislike about your work in terms of staff empowerment and culture?
We are provided with a lot of autonomy from the partners in our firm – which we both attribute to the growth and success so far in our careers. Just one example is the support we received from them when we pitched and started Lady Crim Lawyers.
We are so lucky to not have any dislikes in our particular work place; however we are not blind to the fact that many law firms do not provide that same level of empowerment and support to their employees. As we mentioned earlier, these types of firms that foster the wellness of their employees exist and are becoming more and more common (years ago, that type of firm would have been a unicorn). If you are in a negative environment that does not care for your growth and health, move and find somewhere that will! The career we’ve chosen is a stressful one so it is really important to have that support.
What has been your proudest moment in your career?
Dani – Being admitted as a solicitor (after 6 hard years of study) and then being promoted to a senior criminal lawyer at 27 are both certainly up there. We have a lot of wins in the work we do, so pinning it down to just one proud moment is very hard!
Erin – Picking one is hard! Can I have a top 3?! My proudest moments have been:
· Making the top 10 finalists across Australia in last years’ Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in the Senior Associate category;
· Being recognised as a Leading Criminal Lawyer Rising Star in 2017; and
· Those moments where you know you made a difference in someone’s life – where a client came in the day he was released from jail to give me a hug or a client’s grandma handmade a pen to say thank you.
What are some daily rituals/thoughts you perform to promote happiness and wellness within your life?
Dani – I start everyday by going for a walk with my fiancé and puppy. It makes me feel grounded and is a great opportunity for us to discuss our goals, wins and troubles before we start the daily grind.
Erin – Every night before bed, my husband and I share 3 things we are grateful for. It is a great way to discuss your day but also a fantastic reminder that you can find positives, even in the roughest of days and it definitely is a nice note to fall asleep on!
Where can we find you #socials?
You can find us on Instagram & Facebook (@lady.crim.lawyers)