Pathways and Possibilities: Sophie Buckland’s Key Lessons and Insights
I am sure we have all heard our high school counsellor say that the average person will change careers three times and that we need more than just one type of skill. At the time, perhaps we did not fully grasp what they meant. In hindsight, it is now clear just how important that advice is as we, now as law students, start to pursue our professional ambitions. In fact, research suggests that the average person will change careers between three to seven times in their lifetime and change jobs up to sixteen times.
What does that mean for those of us pursuing careers in the legal profession? Law school is a particularly specialised environment, and in the present day, the ever-evolving demands of the practising industry means we must mould ourselves into adaptable and well-rounded individuals. These are the kind of professionals who are not only technically capable, but also emotionally intelligent, curious and versatile, equipped to navigate the inevitable shifts in the workplace, and prepared to seize opportunities as they arise. For many of us too, law school is our first destination out of high school. When having to factor in personal, social and ‘spiritual-ish’ growth, the sense of responsibility is especially staggering.
Today, we delve into why embracing pathways and possibilities is key to building a meaningful legal career and how broadening your perspective and experiences can not only prepare you for the future but also help you stand out in it.
The ‘Traditional’ Pathway
For many, the pathway into law seems like a rigid formula. Achieve an ATAR in the high 90s, commence a straight law degree straight out of school, graduate, and then enter a corporate law firm. While this route has served, and continues to serve, countless students well, it paints only one picture of what a legal journey can look like.
Today, in a rapidly evolving professional landscape marked by technological innovation, globalisation, and changing client expectations, the legal profession is embracing diversity of thought, background and experience more than ever before. Having expertise beyond the law is no longer just a bonus. It is becoming essential. This is evident in the rising popularity of double degrees and varying undergraduate-postgraduate law pathways which allow students to specialise in complementary fields while bringing more of their personality, interests and identity into their careers.
An outstanding example of someone who has developed a wide variety of expertise and taken their unique identity to their legal studies is Sophie Buckland. Sophie first completed a Bachelor of Arts, graduating with a double major in Politics and International Relations. She subsequently completed her Juris Doctor at Monash University and now works at MinterEllison within the Workplace Law team, one of their many areas of practice. We were fortunate to be able to interview her and get her insights on this month’s Footnotes topic, ‘Pathways and Possibilities’.
Sophie came to Monash with no previous connection to the legal industry and therefore had little prior knowledge in what she wanted to get out of her education. "For your benefit, or for your curiosity, it’s important to try what everyone else is doing, or what they’re not doing.” In other words, pigeonholing yourself too early can be its own trap.
At Monash University, students can combine law with 13 different disciplines including, but not limited to, Arts, Biomedical Science, and Information Technology. This flexibility opens the door to a range of future opportunities and gives students the chance to develop multidimensional skills that align with their unique interests.
Diversity Is Essential
An example highlighting Sophie’s curiosity in her studies can be seen through her final year of her undergraduate studies. Sophie undertook a study tour in New Zealand, conducting fieldwork into pressing threats to international security including nuclear proliferation, climate change and terrorism in the Asia-Pacific. From Monash Arts to Law, Sophie’s journey shows that while not all experiences may be directly related to the law itself, effective legal study is not insulated in a vacuum – it will always be enriched by a global perspective. Sophie’s willingness to expand her horizons, as seen in her undertaking of this study tour, equipped her with deep insights into international affairs. Having such an interdisciplinary background proved to be a major strength when she eventually pivoted into a Juris Doctor. Her story is a powerful reminder that alternative routes into law greatly enrich a legal education.
Outside of academic study, building a portfolio of working experience – from criminal to workplace law – helped Sophie gain an intimate understanding of the legal profession’s underlying culture. For many years, there was a notion that there was a clear-cut definition of what it meant to be a lawyer; whether it was in educational background, skillset or personality. Sophie challenges this notion by stating “all sorts of people can be lawyers, all backgrounds … It takes a lot of different people to form a legal practice.”
The merits of multi-pluralism is certainly evident at Sophie’s current workplace. MinterEllison’s initiatives and opportunities demonstrate how possibilities of exploration do not stop at the university gate. Today’s employers are also embracing diverse experiences and encouraging individuals to bring their full selves to work. Sophie’s own reflections on her time at MinterEllison thus far provide a window into how the legal profession is evolving.
A range of committees which Sophie was introduced to reflect the firm’s commitment to inclusion, community and social impact. She became actively involved in the mentoring committee which connects junior female lawyers with senior mentors to build confidence and career support. She also highlighted initiatives such as
WISE, promoting gender equality in the workplace;
ABCN, supporting access to the legal profession for students from underrepresented backgrounds;
PRiME, advancing LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion; and
EMBRACE, celebrating cultural diversity, including through networking lunches and events.
Sophie also spoke about MinterEllison’s robust pro bono practice which includes work with Justice Connect, homelessness clinics, and services assisting self-represented litigants. Some of the firm’s graduates have even completed secondments at the Australian Human Rights Commission. These experiences deeply align with the concept of values driven lawyering.
What is clear is that there is not just space for passion, personality and purpose. There is a demand for it within the profession. It is a culture defined by its people. “Everyone is really smart,” says Sophie, “[and] overall the culture is consistent in that you want to work hard, celebrate your wins.”
Sophie’s Advice on Launching a Successful Legal Career
When asked about her reflections on her journey through law, Sophie offered thoughtful and grounded advice.
The clarity in what law school demands also promotes comparison. “You see someone you think is successful…but you have to accept that your journey will be different.” It is notably a trap which Sophie advises against falling into. One of her key messages was the importance of avoiding comparison. “Even if you are someone who thinks that you are not comparing yourself to others,” she explained, “it is important to really try and refrain from that. Everyone runs their own race and there are countless ways to reach your goals.”
With ~five years of the course to complete, the terrain shifts constantly; you think you know what you want, then you meet people, take on clerkships and internships, face obstacles. There is no clear definition of success, and there especially is no answer for how you might come into your own identity. How you may best use your law degree is something you can only arrive at after a highly individualised process – experience is essential to help you see where you might land.
For students who feel anxious or uncertain, Sophie emphasised the importance of building a strong support network. This might include law school friends who understand the journey, but also people outside of law who help keep things in perspective. Having something outside the legal sphere, she explained, makes you a more complete person.
For Sophie, working a part-time job at Officeworks gave her valuable people skills and real-world experience. The transferable skills gained from this role, combined with her international relations background and research on global security issues, gave her a unique edge. She strongly encouraged students to explore their own interests and passions, whether that is through extracurriculars like dancing or rowing or academic pathways, like a second degree. Not only does this make the journey more meaningful but it can also make you a stronger candidate when applying for opportunities such as clerkships.
Final Words
Sophie Buckland’s journey is a compelling example of how the legal profession is expanding to include and celebrate diverse pathways. She is now a law graduate at a top-tier firm, yet her success was not built on simply ticking the ‘traditional’ boxes. Instead, it was shaped by her willingness to explore, her openness to change and her deep engagement with causes that matter to her.
In today’s world, the legal journey is no longer a straight line, and nor should it be. The most meaningful and impactful careers are achieved through a willingness to explore the many pathways and possibilities that law has to offer. Whether you are a student just beginning to explore legal study, or a graduate navigating your next steps, know this: Bringing your full self to the profession is not just accepted, it is needed.
Pursuing your passions will not only make the journey more meaningful – it will also help you stand out when it matters most by allowing you to discover and choose from the many potential avenues to success and fulfilment. In many cases, it can help to establish you as a future leader in the profession – someone who brings depth, creativity and authenticity to every opportunity.
Law school is merely the start of a professional path, of which only you could define how it might unfold. In Sophie’s words: “If you don’t know what you are going to do, it is important to set a good foundation.”
If we can leave you with one question to reflect on, it is this: What Pathways or Possibilities will you uncover next?
Written by Ananya Goswami and Adelheid Ye
Edited by Ai-Vy Nguyen