Speech by Indi Mackay-Coghill at the Notre Dame Law Students Society Ball | 2 August 2024
This year’s Law and Business Ball is proudly sponsored by Brand Barristers & Solicitors. Established in 2016, Brand Barristers & Solicitors is a leading personal injury law firm in Western Australia, serving Perth, Albany and regional WA.
The firm’s vision is to be market leaders in personal injury law in Western Australia by providing honest, clear and respectful legal advice. The firm wins a number of awards in this space, employing 30 staff including a handful of law clerks of which I am one; as is Bella Beilin who is also in the room.
Brand Solicitors was established by Notre Dame Law School Alumnus, Daniel Brand, who was a member of the graduating class of 2002, under the Dean of Law at the time, Professor Greg Craven.
And Daniel often reminds us that his best friend from law school, Brian Buckley (also a member of the class of ’02), remains his best friend today. Only Brian took his law degree into hospitality and now owns and runs the institutions you know as PICA Bar and Ruin Bar in Northbridge and Percy Flint here in Freo. So, it seems that the law really does open up doors.
Bella and I asked Daniel this week, if you had just two tips to share with law students what would they be; and this was his advice…
- Firstly, mentorship is really important. And remains important at all stages throughout your career. Daniel said he has always had the benefit of outstanding senior, legal professionals to mentor him and they have been instrumental in both how he practices law – and also, in advising how to handle life in the law. So – seek these people out along your journey and soak up what you can.
- Secondly, bear in mind that while the practice of law is demanding and can be intellectually and emotionally taxing, it is not war. You’ve got to maintain good relationships with your opponents because long after a client leaves your office, you will still be working alongside that legal adversary. In fact, the people you’re sitting next to tonight, may well be your opponents in practice so take the time to build and maintain good relationships with them.
From Daniel, Kelly and all the team at Brand, thank you for having the firm on board as a sponsor, and more importantly – have a fantastic evening!
Brand Solicitors is a proud sponsor of the Notre Dame Law and Business Ball, held in Perth at the Crown in 2024 and the Westin in 2023.
The student committee always deliver a spectacular event, with the ball being the most popular social event of the year for students across disciplines at Notre Dame University.
At the 2024 Ball, Brand Solicitors Law Clerk, Indi McCay-Coghill, delivered the Sponsors’ address. In preparation for the address, Indi and Law Clerk, Isabella Beilin, of our team, interviewed the firm’s Principal and Notre Dame Alumni, Daniel Brand, on his top tips to consider when entering the law. You can read Indi’s speech attached above.
