Written by Julia Day

When I found out three alumni from #UNELaw were all working in the same law firm, I was beyond excited!! I originally assumed this was intentional – but I was wrong. In fact, it wasn’t until the group were all working together that they realised they had undertaken some of the same #UNELaw units whilst studying!!

Let me introduce you to Morgan, Taylor and Sarah.

Morgan Robins graduated from UNE in 2021. Once she completed her degree, she started working online at a law firm. After working online, Morgan decided she would like to work in person at a law firm and move back to the coast, so she applied for a job at Donovan Oates and Hannaford Legal + Conveyancing (DOH).

Morgan has completed a variety of legal work in areas such as employment, property, and commercial law. She has a particular interest in working on contract law and employment cases.

Taylor Horne is one of the principals at DOH. Before starting at DOH in June 2021, she was working in Sydney in the areas of commercial disputes, banking litigation, insolvency, and restructuring. Taylor graduated from UNE in 2016 and went on to complete her Masters in Law also with UNE in 2021.

Whilst completing her undergraduate law degree at UNE, Taylor lived on campus at popular St Albert’s College.  She notes ‘completing my post graduate studies was an easy transition given I was familiar with the structure of UNE and its learning management systems (Moodle)’.   While completing her Masters Taylor studied Elder Law and Employment Law.  Taylor has found the principles she learnt in Elder Law to be extremely relatable and useful due to DOH’s client base and demographic in Port Macquarie.  

Sarah Mehlert completed her law degree at UNE as an online student. She spent her degree living in Coffs Harbour whilst working for a law firm. After completing her law degree, she moved to Sydney where she worked in a Community Legal Centre and concurrently a Family Law firm, followed by barrister’s chambers. Sarah always knew she wanted to practice regionally and wanted to be close to her family.  In 2020, Sarah decided to make the move from Sydney to Port Macquarie, where she started working at DOH. Her practice is now predominantly in commercial and property law.

One thing that Morgan, Taylor and Sarah all have in common is their love of living in regional areas. Taylor notes ‘when practicing at a law firm in Sydney I practiced in very niche areas.  However, making the transition to practice law regionally has forced me to diversify across a wide range of areas of law.  No day here is the same.  It has also allowed me to enjoy a more streamlined and autonomous workplace’.

In addition, the group spoke about the benefits that are derived from them all coming from regional areas and completing their law degree at UNE. ‘We work really well together as we have all had similar experiences. Many of our clients are based regionally- which means we understand their individual experiences, the legal hurdles faced by small business owners and are able to service their legal needs. In the rare event we don’t have the specific legal expertise to help our clients, we each have networks of legal practitioners who live and practice in regional areas. This in invaluable for our clients!’

Of course, I just had to ask- ‘do you all go to the beach at lunch time??’ Sadly, they don’t, but most days they do walk along the river in Port Macquarie. Often, they will see dolphins playing when they look outside their work window- as they have ocean views- jealousy inducing I know!!

Thank you, Morgan, Sarah and Taylor, for sharing your experiences with us!