2024 Winner: Young Alumnus Award (Arts, Education and Law)
Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Business, Class of 2017
Julian is a Partner at Thursday Legal after graduating from Griffith University with first-class honours. In his spare time, Julian has established a highly successful networking lunch, the Brewers Lunch, raising and donating over $400,000 to various charities in recent years.
Congratulations, how did you feel when you found out you won an Alumni Award?
Winning an Alumni Award is an incredible honour and truly humbling. When I found out, I felt a mix of emotions—gratitude, pride, and excitement. It validates the hard work and dedication I've put into my career and the impact I've been able to make in my field and the community.
How do you approach leadership in your work and community involvement?
Lead by doing. If you want to support your community, you should do it (despite what others may think). Any impact, even small, is a good impact.
Six years ago, I started a networking group called the Brewers Lunch. It has since grown to have events in Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast, and Sydney (with plans to expand). There has been a lot of resistance to me starting/running these events over the years, but my best advice is just to start and then surround yourself with people who support you.
What role has networking played in your professional journey?
Networking has played a crucial role in my professional journey. It has given me valuable opportunities to connect with clients, peers, mentors, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.
Through networking, I've gained insights, advice, and support that have helped me navigate challenges, explore new career opportunities, and advance professionally. By organising and hosting networking events, I have raised and donated close to $400,000 to various charities (figure current as of May 2024).
Networking has been instrumental in building relationships, expanding my professional network, and opening doors to new opportunities.
Can you share a piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
Network! Build your network of connections as much as possible as soon as possible. In business, in particular in law, often the hardest part is getting the work. If you plan on owning a firm or being a partner, the sooner you learn to network and start networking, the better.
There are many roles where networking is not required for generating work (for example, in-house lawyers). However, having a strong network of related professionals and others that you can rely on makes work easier.
How do you maintain a work-life balance, especially considering your level of achievement?
This is a tough one – I don’t think there is a ‘silver bullet’ solution to work-life balance. In law, days are typically long and high-stress. While solutions like turning your phone off at 6 pm nightly or doing a 4 day work week work for some, I find that focusing on de-stressing the workday is overall a better strategy. I find that working with good people, not tolerating poor treatment from clients and other staff (we have all seen and heard the horror stories about law firm partners screaming at the junior lawyers!), not being a slave to a timesheet, having the flexibility to do what you like when you like (for example, attending family commitments during the day and not feeling guilt for missing a ‘billable’ hour), all attribute to a better overall work-life balance.
What motivates you to continue striving for excellence in your field?
One of the biggest motivators for me is seeing clients do great things – I enjoy and take pride in clients succeeding, whether that be by growing their business or otherwise.
How did your time at Griffith help shape your career?
My time at Griffith University was instrumental in shaping my career. The university's academic programs provided me with a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills. Through industry events and networking opportunities, I was able to build connections and enhance my career prospects. Griffith University played a pivotal role in preparing me for success in my career.
Why are you proud to be a Griffith alumnus?
I'm proud to be a Griffith alumnus because the university provided me with the education and practical skills that I use daily. I am proud of my fellow alumni and their successes, as well as the forward-thinking nature of the university in general.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in your field?
I stay updated with the latest trends and developments in my field through various methods, including attending industry conferences, participating in webinars and workshops, reading relevant publications and research papers, following thought leaders and influencers on social media, and actively engaging in professional networks and forums.
How do you see your industry evolving in the next decade, and how do you plan to adapt?
Technology solutions, particularly AI, are the biggest evolution in law. I strongly believe that lawyers must keep up or risk falling behind. There are still (too) many law firms that print everything and post all correspondence—the issues with this are self-explanatory. That said, there are substantial risks in adopting tech, particularly the risks in using AI, but if used properly, I think that it will be a great tool for lawyers.
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Meet the rest of our 2024 winners and discover how they are making it matter.