Dina Sabeta

6.30 AM

My day usually begins quite early. Before I get ready for work, I usually let my cat, Circle, roam around in the backyard while I have my morning coffee, although this morning he wasn't up for it (understandable).

My commute to the office takes about an hour, so I am out the door by 7:30 am.

8.45 AM

I arrive at the office and head upstairs to log on to my computer.

The views of the city from our level are always a lovely sight.

One of the other grads, Ashley, from the Projects and Energy Transition (PET) team, sits near me. She shows me a photo of her view when she got to the office just before 8.00 am – it was too good not to share!

9.00 AM

I review my emails and make a list of my work-in-progress to determine whether I have any capacity to take on more tasks ahead of our team's weekly meeting.

9.15 AM

My team and I join a meeting room. We take turns discussing the matters we are currently working on, any upcoming deadlines, our capacity and any other administrative matters.

9.50 AM

A few lawyers in my team and I head downstairs for a compulsory post-meeting coffee. There are plenty of coffee gems near the Ashurst office, and this time biscuits were included, which is always a bonus. 

10.30 AM

I head down to Level 16 to meet the other grads and our P&C Consultant, Katelyn, for our fortnightly graduate cohort meeting. We review all that has happened since our last meeting, discuss upcoming events and PLT deadlines.

We always end our meetings by listing our 'Win of the Week'. It's so easy to get caught up in being busy and thinking about 'what's next', so I really enjoy this exercise because it allows me to reflect on the work I have done and sets a positive tone for the week ahead.

11.05 AM

I return to my desk and pick up where I left off on a research task for Counsel and my supervising senior associate.

When I first joined the team, I did a small task for this matter and really enjoyed it, so I expressed my interest in taking on more work if it was available. Fast-forward to now, and I've been able to assist on the bigger portions of the overall advice, which has been a great learning opportunity.

I review some New South Wales mining legislation and resume my journey down the Lexis Advance rabbit hole. The task requirements are quite specific, so the case law research and review take me some time.

12.00 pm

I draft my findings for the overall advice for this matter. I have a query that I raise with Counsel, who gives me a call shortly after. I provide an update about my current findings and we discuss the native title component of the task.

After our call, I make some minor changes to my email and send it to Counsel for feedback.

12.30 PM

I almost always spend my lunch breaks outside.

I eat some sushi, put my phone on 'do not disturb' and head for my routine walk around the city. Depending on the day, I will listen to some music or a podcast, although recently my preference has been to switch off from that, too.

Stepping away from my desk and getting some fresh air always makes me feel recharged and ready for the afternoon.

1.30 PM

I refill my water and get back to my desk.

When I do, another senior associate in my team approaches me and asks if I can attend two calls next week for separate matters – one with our barrister, and another with a client. I say yes and we go over the matters together.

2.00 PM

One of the lawyers emails me asking if I can complete some urgent research before a call she has this afternoon. One of the best things (in my opinion) about the PAE team is that you will hardly ever (dare I say, never) do the same task twice. I am yet to consider a section of an Act more than once!

I review some Victorian leasing legislation and draft an email to the senior associate who gave me the task.

3.00 PM 

I head downstairs to attend one of a series of Workplace Wellness and Wellbeing workshops organized by the firm.

Today's session was centered around mindfulness which I think is really important, especially as a junior. I gained lots from the session and felt that the discussions and tips were very valuable.

4.00 PM

When the session is finished, I quickly jet downstairs to grab a coffee, then return to my desk to get started on some more work that is due in a few days.

This time, I am researching, reviewing and summarizing reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). The EPBC Act is a huge piece of legislation and the reforms are quite significant, so there is a fair bit to get my head around.

5.05 PM

My supervising partner asks me to proofread an urgent document, which I do, and send back to her.

5.30 PM

Cue some more EPBC Act work! I shift my focus to reviewing and comparing the consultation papers published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

6.30 PM

I leave the office to grab drinks with some of my friends until around 8:30 pm.

9.30 PM

I get home, unwind from the day, and watch some crime documentaries on Netflix with my sister, before heading to bed.

Thinking of experiencing life as a Ashurst Graduate? Sign up to Prosple to receive job alerts for Ashurst