Associate
McInnes Wilson Lawyers
Sally is an Associate at McInnes Wilson Lawyers.
To put it simply, I help injured people. I help them understand their legal rights; I help them navigate the claims process; I help them receive the compensation they deserve; and I help them achieve closure to a traumatic chapter of their lives.
What are the first three words you think of when you hear the word ‘diversity’?
Inclusion, equality, progressive.
What do you think it will take to develop truly diverse thinking within the legal industry?
I have worked in the legal industry since the age of 18, having secured employment as a junior legal secretary at the end of Year 12. Over my 25 years in the legal industry, I have witnessed the slow progression of diversity (gender, race and cultural) in the workplace and have welcomed the introduction of 'diversity and inclusion' policies at every firm I have worked at. Through education and awareness, both in the workplace and at a grassroots level in our schools and communities, that progression will no doubt continue, and am excited to see how diverse the legal industry will be in another 25 years.
What was your main driver to enter the legal industry?
My career goal during high school was to become a secretary. I never wanted to study at university. At the end of my Year 12 exams, I was fortunate to secure a secretarial position at a top tier law firm in Adelaide, where I was trained and mentored by some truly exceptional women.
It was one of the inspirational female partners at that firm who pushed me to study to become a paralegal, and before she left that firm to go to the bar, she also planted the seed for me to become a lawyer one day. It was her faith in me, as well as that of my family and partner, that drove me to study and join the legal industry as a lawyer.
In November 2017 that same inspirational female partner (then barrister, and now District Court Judge) moved my admission in Brisbane, and we spoke about the type of law I wanted to practise.
Without a doubt, I knew I wanted to help injured people and I have been doing that ever since.