This year, we’re celebrating the College of Law’s 50th anniversary.
And what better way to mark the occasion than by highlighting the diverse and impressive careers of our graduates.
Since completing her Practical Legal Training (PLT) at the College in 2023, Stella Richards has been a valued part of the commercial team at leading Australian law firm Russell Kennedy.
But she started out in a different field entirely. Stella’s story shows that hard work, determination and a good deal of courage can lead you to your perfect career – even if you change direction once or twice along the way.
Q: Hi Stella! Can you tell us how you got into law?
I’ve been interested in law ever since I was young, but it wasn't until later in life that I decided to pursue it as a career.
Before I enrolled in law school, I was working full-time as an Occupational Therapist (OT).
I did a 4-year degree, then worked for five years in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and corporate settings – even as a lecturer at a university. Eventually, I realised OT just wasn’t the career for me.
So, I started to explore other options. It still feels like yesterday I knocked on my manager's door to tell him I wanted to pursue law. He thought I was crazy. But here I am!
Q: Such a brave choice – it must have been tough to take the leap. How did you come to that decision?
It was difficult.
I tried every area of OT I could before making the transition because I knew it would be a big jump. I was hesitant to ‘give up’ on four years of education, not to mention the experience I’d gained since.
But I’ve come to realise that the skills you acquire in your degree are valuable no matter where you end up. And it's never too late to switch careers.
If your heart’s pulling you in another direction, I’d always say go for it.
Q: And what drew you to law, specifically?
I love how dynamic it is. The law is constantly changing as society changes.
And it influences all our lives. It’s so rewarding to work in a profession where you can guide and support people and businesses through complex legal issues. Often what is the most stressful times of their lives.
Q: How did you find law school and where has your career taken you since?
Honestly, I loved it and found it very rewarding.
I was still working full time while completing my law degree, so that was definitely a challenge – and the pandemic didn’t help! But I enjoyed it.
Law is obviously very different to health, it felt like learning a new language. Ever since I made the jump, I’ve felt like I can see the world through a totally different lens.
After I graduated, I took a somewhat traditional pathway. I didn't apply for any clerkships because I couldn’t justify taking four weeks off work to intern.
So, after completing my Juris Doctor degree at Deakin University, I applied for a graduate law position at Russell Kennedy, a mid-tier corporate firm in Melbourne. I was successful, which is incredible because firms rarely hire from market. I feel incredibly fortunate to be where I am.
It was also fantastic that the firm paid for my PLT, which I completed at the College of Law. PLT was a great experience, and I learnt so much about the practical elements of legal practice. My mentors, Maria and Kiki, were amazing.
In December 2023, I was admitted as a practising lawyer.
Q: Congratulations! How are you finding working in the field?
It’s been full on! As soon as you receive your practising certificate, you immediately get all this extra responsibility. But I’m loving it.
I work broadly across the corporate and commercial team, supporting individuals and businesses on everything from intellectual property to data and privacy matters.
One of the great things about working at Russell Kennedy is that many of our clients are in the health sector. That’s one of the reasons I applied. We support healthcare providers and medical centres with queries, complaints and privacy issues. With this cross over into health law, I still get to use my knowledge of the healthcare system, which has been nice.
Q: What challenges have you faced along the way?
I'm the first generation in my family to graduate from university, let alone become a lawyer.
I've got a refugee background as well, so that comes with its own challenges. English wasn't my first language; it was my third so at times, the language and cultural adjustments were difficult.
Regardless, I preserved and was never afraid to ask for support when I needed it. I’ve got a great network of friends and family who have always encouraged me in my decisions. I’ve been very lucky.
Q: Where’s Next for you?
I haven’t decided where to specialise yet – I’m still playing around with different areas of law. I just know I want something that will challenge me. I'm also open to further study, so you might see me returning to the College or undertaking some accredited specialisation training.
In terms of other projects, I would love to be able to mentor and encourage people of diverse backgrounds who want to pursue a legal career and make a meaningful impact within the community.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring lawyers?
Start by building relationships with the people around you. A mentor once told me: ‘Networking is not a dirty word’. That always stuck with me.
I didn't know any lawyers until I started law school. But I’ve learnt it’s never too early to start forming connections – your peers at university might one day become your colleagues or barristers you end up briefing. Your lecturers might become judges or magistrates in the future. Nurturing those relationships could open doors you never expected, providing guidance and opportunities throughout your career.
Another piece of advice is to attend conferences, career expos and law events whenever you can.
Then finally, create a LinkedIn profile if you don’t have one already. Keep it updated and form connections wherever possible.
You can never know how many jobs are out there when you’re just starting out. Meeting people in the field and hearing about their experiences is so valuable. So get involved, start talking to people and be yourself!
Interested in completing your PLT at the College like Stella? Take the next step towards your legal career with Australia’s most flexible PLT.
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