Earlier last week, we were delighted to welcome nine Year 8 students from Brisbane Water Secondary College to our Gosford office as part of their Legal Studies excursion. Accompanied by two of their teachers, the students spent the morning deepening their understanding of the justice system – including a visit to the local court and valuable one-on-one time with a judge – before joining Civil Litigation Solicitor Liam Loader for an open and engaging discussion about life as a lawyer.
Liam shared insights into his own career journey, from graduating with Honours from the Australian National University to working in corporate financial restructuring and insolvency, serving as a Supreme Court Judge’s Associate and ultimately returning home to the Central Coast to pursue meaningful advocacy work at Conditsis Lawyers.
The students were eager and curious, sparking thoughtful conversations about university life, courtroom advocacy, the realities of legal practice and what it truly means to use the law as a tool for positive change.
For Liam, the experience was equally inspiring. He was struck by the students’ maturity, enthusiasm and their genuine desire to use the law as a vehicle for change and the betterment of our local and global communities.
Liam’s key takeaways for the students are equally applicable to anyone considering a legal career. They include:
- Resilience is the most important skill a lawyer carries with them in practice.
- Enjoy the university years. Although they are challenging and demanding, the opportunities for growth are endless as long as you are committed and believe in yourself.
- There are many pathways within a law degree. Once you have the foundations, you can specialise in the areas that inspire you most.
- Self-doubt is common, even among lawyers, but it is important to push through, knowing that the work you do makes a real difference in people’s lives.
A Central Coast local, Liam believes strongly in the role access to justice plays in building a fairer society. His passion for advocacy – recognised nationally through a Special Commendation in the Golden Gavel Awards final – aligns closely with the values we aim to instill in the next generation of legal thinkers.
At Conditsis Lawyers, community engagement is at the heart of who we are. Opportunities like this not only give young people an authentic glimpse into the practice of law, but also help cultivate the future advocates, leaders and change-makers our region needs.
We were thrilled to be part of BWSC’s excursion and look forward to welcoming more students in the future.
