The Alternative Career Paths Panel: Exploring Diverse Pathways Beyond Traditional Legal Practice

On the 25th of September, I had the privilege of attending the Alternative Career Paths Panel held at the University of Newcastle’s Nuspace Building.

 The event, hosted by the University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association (UNLSA) and proudly sponsored by Hillebrand Shaw & Co, offered an engaging exploration of the many ways a law degree can be applied beyond the traditional roles of practising as a solicitor or barrister.

As a law student myself, I was particularly drawn to the event’s focus on how the advocacy, analytical, and research skills developed through legal education can be meaningfully used across diverse sectors such as academia, public policy, business, and community advocacy. As someone with a deep interest in roles that intersect with social justice, accessibility, and community wellbeing, I found the panel to be an invaluable opportunity to see how others have successfully extended their law degrees into purposeful, impact-driven careers.

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The Diverse Careers Ignited by a Law Degree

The discussion featured three speakers from distinct professional backgrounds:

• Neil Foster, Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle;

• Elaine Abery, activist and Director of Unravelling Red Tape; and

• Tomika Hillebrand, Director at Hillebrand Shaw & Co.

  
  

Each panelist offered valuable insights into their professional journeys since completing their law degrees, highlighting how the analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills developed and refined through completing their law degrees and further post-graduate education have supported their success in diverse fields.

One of the most memorable moments for me came when each panelist acknowledged that, despite not practising law in the traditional sense, they still consider themselves lawyers by trade. This reflection resonated deeply with me, reinforcing the idea that being a lawyer is not solely defined by formal court appearance or client representations, but rather a way of operating through a commitment to legal reasoning, advocacy, and ethical problem-solving whether in the context of whether in academic research, client advocacy, or lobbying. 

As someone who often draws on advocacy skills in my own role as a disability support worker, this perspective felt particularly meaningful. It reminded me that advocacy isn’t limited to formal legal settings; it often occurs in day-to-day conversations, in support sessions, and in empowering individuals to understand and assert their own rights.

The Diverse Careers Ignited by a Law Degree: 

Elain Abery -

Elaine Abery shared how, after pursuing post-graduate qualifications, her career journey began in advocacy roles within the government sector, including policy, legislative and government relations work. Her first-hand understanding of how departments operate later shaped her transition into lobbying against excessive government legislative regulation, described as the “red tape” that often prevents businesses, charities, and individuals from operating effectively.

Elaine’s story highlighted how legal education provides a powerful foundation for engaging with powerful institutions such as the government to lobby for reforms in legislation and policy decisions. For me, it was inspiring to see how she uses her legal insight to challenge barriers that hinder fairness and efficiency in policy-making, transforming her advocacy into a tool for positive systemic change.

Associate Professor Neil Foster -

Associate Professor Neil Foster offered a contrasting yet equally compelling example of how a law degree can open alternative pathways. Neil reflected that, although he has never practised as a solicitor, his academic research and authorship have made a profound contribution to the Australian legal landscape. His publications in the area of tort law have been approvingly cited in court proceedings, helping to support judicial reasoning through the clarification of complex legal principles. 

His career exemplifies how academia can be a powerful form of legal practice in its own right; shaping interpretation, fostering debate and supporting legal reform. This highlights that the pursuit of knowledge, teaching and writing is just as integral to the development of justice as direct legal advocacy. 

Tomika Hillebrand -

Finally, Hillebrand Shaw & Co’s very own Tomika Hillebrand shared her unorthodox career journey from legal practice in personal injury law to her current role as a Psychosocial Recovery Coach and Coordinator of Supports within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) space.

Tomika emphasised how her background in personal injury law, where she worked alongside medical professionals and developed her advocacy skills, provided a strong foundation for her current work. Drawing on this experience, she now supports individuals living with disabilities to navigate the often complex and inaccessible administrative processes of the NDIS, including coordinating evidence gathering, access requests, and appeals before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).

What stood out to me the most was how Tomika seamlessly connects her legal expertise and skillset to empower individuals to assert their rights within the NDIS framework. By interpreting and simplifying complex legislative and policy requirements, Tomika helps make the system more accessible and equitable for those who might otherwise struggle to access the scheme and the supports they need. 

As someone who has the privilege of working under Tomika’s guidance, I found her reflections particularly meaningful. Seeing how she translates legal knowledge into practical advocacy has reinforced for me that the skills gained through a legal education can be a powerful tool for creating positive and tangible change in people’s lives. 

Reflections on Law as a Launchpad

For me, this event offered an exciting insight into the diverse range of career opportunities available to those who leverage the fundamental skills gained through a law degree across different sectors. 

Whether contributing to the legal field through academic research that shapes the interpretation and understanding of tort law, lobbying against unjust government policies, or using advocacy and analytical skills to support NDIS participants in navigating complex administrative systems, the pathways shared by the panelists made one thing clear: a law degree is not a limiting qualification, but rather can be used to opens endless opportunities to advocate for justice, empower others, and create meaningful change in the community.