Twenty years ago, Richard Chesterman QC, Ian Hanger QC, Russell Hanson QC and others established two sets of associated chambers on the top two levels of the newly constructed “Quay Central”.
As with more recent movements at the Bar, they were keen to establish, on a fresh canvas, their own vision of the ideal environment for practice at the bar.
In 1990, what they were seeking were spacious rooms with natural light and river views, extensive bookshelving for their personal libraries, a group of engaging colleagues with similar legal interests and agreeable dispositions – and a rooftop barbeque.
Even that barbeque still survives.
The original members of Level 17 were Richard Chesterman QC, Ian Hanger QC, Lindsay Bowden, Simon Couper, Kiernan Dorney, Dale Smith, Glenn Martin, John Roberts and Peter Land.
On Level 16, the original members were Russell Hanson QC, Patsy Wolfe, Sandy Thompson, Christopher Hughes, John Sheahan, David Andrews — and two barristers just commencing practice, John McKenna and Roger Derrington.
With the passage of 20 years, soon only a few of this original group will remain.
Our newly merged group now comprises Christopher Hughes SC, John McKenna SC, Roger Derrington SC, Kylie Downes SC, Lindsay Bowden, Chris Wilson, Greg Sheahan, Adam Pomerenke, Scott Hooper, Sean Cooper, Dominic O’Sullivan, James O’Regan, Patrick McCafferty, Andrew Stumer, Brett Le Plastrier and David Chesterman. Our current readers are Ben McEniery and Michael de Waard.
Whilst it was always going to be difficult to replace the wit of Glenn Martin SC, the sang froid of Russell Hanson QC and the intellect of John Sheahan SC, we have always been fortunate in the calibre of the younger members who have chosen to join us.
It was with this in mind that we decided, in this edition of Hearsay, to give special attention to the position of those starting at the bar.
What advice can be offered to those wishing to start at the bar about how best to maximise their chances?
Two personal perspectives on this question are provided — from Chris Wilson and from David Chesterman.
Based on the experience of this group — having seen 20 years of aspiring new counsel as readers or fellow members of chambers — are there any common characteristics one can discern in those who have found it easiest to get started?
Four characteristics come to mind.
First, those who enjoy quick success have usually come to the bar after some years experience working in a busy litigation section at a reputable firm of solicitors — and leave that firm with its good wishes. Whilst time as a Judge’s Associate is of obvious value, it does not so easily lead to a steady inflow of new briefs.
Secondly, they have come to the bar with a demonstrated ability to work hard and work well. For some, this is demonstrated by success in challenging post-graduate study. For others, this is demonstrated by success in the equally challenging environment as a solicitor with responsibility for managing difficult cases for demanding clients.
Thirdly, they bring with them an engaging and unpretentious personality. For most solicitors, there is usually no good reason to deal with counsel they cannot abide.
Fourthly, they chose to take up chambers with a chambers group with which they are compatible. Compatibility has both personal and professional dimensions. Thus, it is easier to foster a commercial practice in an established commercial group, than elsewhere — and it is easier again with the support of one’s colleagues.
What are the typical paths that lead new counsel to the bar?
The range of different approaches which are frequently taken can be no better illustrated than by the experience of our group’s younger members and readers.
Sean Cooper and Scott Hooper both worked overseas as solicitors, and then rose to the rank of Senior Associates in the litigation sections of Allens Arthur Robinson before starting in practice.
Brett Le Plastrier worked as an Associate in the Court of Appeal, with a short time at a firm, before completing the BCL at the University of Oxford and then coming to the bar.
Patrick McCafferty undertook two Associateships in the District Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia and then practised as a litigation solicitor at Minter Ellison. Following this he completed the BCL at the University of Oxford, then practised at the London Bar for some years, before returning to practice in Brisbane. An article by Patrick on recent developments in media law appears in this edition of Hearsay.
Andrew Stumer completed both a BCL and a DPhil at the University of Oxford, then returned to Allens Arthur Robinson and rose to the position of Senior Associate in the litigation section, before coming to the bar.
David Chesterman was an Associate in the Supreme Court, before working as a litigation solicitors for some years at Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Ben McEniery, one of our Readers, worked as a solicitor in a litigation section at Clayton Utz for some years before moving to the staff at the Queensland University of Technology, where he completed both a Masters and Ph D. Ben has a special interest in real and intellectual property law. An article by Ben, concerning difficult issues on applications for leave to proceed against a company in liquidation, is published in this edition of Hearsay.
Michael de Waard, our other Reader, was an Associate in the Federal Court before working for a number of years in a litigation section at Minter Ellison. A casenote by Michael concerning Northbuild Construction Pty Ltd v Central Interior Linings Pty Ltd & Ors [2011] QCA 22 appears in this edition of “Hearsay”.
Each of these paths has its own attractions — and each would seem well chosen to start a successful career at the bar.
John McKenna S.C.
