What's your job about?
I work at Steadfast as a corporate lawyer. I work closely with our General Counsel and other lawyers in the team. The role is extremely varied and involves working with a range of departments in the business, including the Mergers & Acquisitions team, Marketing, Underwriting and our brokers. Being an in-house position, the role requires close collaboration with all facets of the business which is a part of the job I particularly enjoy. It means you are interacting closely with everyone from accountants, marketing specialists, the finance team and fellow lawyers. The team provides legal advice and input to our business and the wider Steadfast network of brokers.
My work with the Mergers & Acquisitions team includes conducting due diligence when we are considering purchasing insurance brokers. This includes examining the business’s documentation, policies and procedures to ensure compliance and good corporate governance. After the due diligence process, I assist the team in negotiating and drafting sale documentation.
What's your background?
I am 26 years old and live in Cronulla. I graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney, in 2019. While at university, I worked as a salesperson in retail and also gained experience through a legal internship. I started work with Steadfast shortly after university as part of the graduate program. The first year at Steadfast involved rotations through various areas of the business, including Underwriting, Broking and Legal. I especially enjoyed the Legal rotation and was placed in my current role as a corporate lawyer in 2020.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Definitely. I think the key characteristics for the job are a willingness to be thrown in the deep end, work hard and be a team player. I think lawyers from a range of different backgrounds could excel if they have these traits.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Definitely the variety of work, which you can’t get elsewhere as a lawyer. No day is the same, as issues pop up which need your attention. This is down to the size of the Steadfast network, which consists of insurance brokers, underwriting agencies and all the ancillary businesses. This means you can really develop your skills and exposure as a young lawyer.
What’s the coolest thing about working for Steadfast?
The culture is fantastic. Everyone is friendly and approachable and even if they can’t answer your question, they are more than happy to point you in the right direction. This culture has been solidified by all the staff who have been at Steadfast for a number of years.
What are the limitations of your job?
There can be time pressures associated with the job. Given the size of the Steadfast network, an unexpected task can crop up which demands your attention. This is especially the case for legal and compliance matters, which have a hard deadline.
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