By Mackenzie Heard
By way of introduction, my name is Mackenzie and I am the Law Graduate at Grazia Legal. After many late nights reading cases, finishing assignments and balancing external priorities, I completed my Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce and joined the team at Grazia Legal where I am now beginning the next chapter of my legal career navigating the fast-paced, hands-on world of life as a Law Graduate at a boutique law firm.
Working in a boutique legal firm has given me the unique opportunity to be deeply involved in client matters from day. Unlike larger firms, where new graduates may spend months behind the scenes, my role has been dynamic and hands on. On the daily, I am exposed to a wide range of legal issues including assisting in complex litigation matters, drafting documents, sitting in on client meetings or ‘court side’, I am no doubt learning something new every day.
After university, I gravitated towards a boutique setting for the emphasis on close client relationships, exposure on matters and tailored legal solutions. There has been something truly rewarding and personal being a part of a team that prioritises quality over quantity and takes pride in knowing every client and case inside out.
I will be documenting my journey at Grazia Legal over the next few months leading up my admission to the Supreme Court – what I am learning, what I am challenged by and what I am enjoying in the practice of law. I hope that young law students can assimilate with my experiences and be inspired to join boutique legal practice.
Chapter 1: Navigating PLT & learning through experience – 12 September 2025
In March this year, I began my practical legal training with the College of Law. A key part of undertaking practical legal training is the completion of a work experience component. At College of Law, this period was 75 days long which I completed in the course of my graduate work at Grazia Legal, this post discusses how my work experience contributed to my understanding of what a legal practitioner does in the course of legal practice.
As someone who had not been exposed to any real legal work experience before joining Grazia Legal there were some particularly eye-opening lessons learned. My experiences helped me gain a clearer understanding of the realities of day-to-day practices and confirmed some aspects of my assumptions but also worked to challenge and expand my perspective.
Client interaction and communication
Before my placement, I thought the role of a lawyer largely centred on technical legal knowledge. After sitting in on client meetings and drafting correspondence I learned how much of legal practice involves listening, managing expectations and translating complex legal issues into clear advice. I saw how client rapport directly affects the trust between practitioner and client and in turn, the progress of a matter, which confirmed the importance of interpersonal skills in practice.
Drafting and precision
Precision is a no brainer when it comes to legal drafting, but before working in legal practice, I underestimated the level of detail required in drafting documents. While I expected accuracy to be important, I was surprised by how much time and care goes into ensuring clarity, consistency and professional tone even in short letters or affidavits. This experience challenged my assumption that drafting was a straightforward task and instead highlighted how it is a core skill that unpins much of legal practice.
Negotiation and dispute resolution
Before working in legal practice, I only knew about litigation and dispute resolution from what I had learned at university. I assumed that litigation was the primary way disputes were solved. After observing conciliations and negotiations in unfair dismissal and general protection employment matters, I learned that much of a practitioner’s role is focussed on resolution outside the courtroom. This confirmed that negotiation is a key part of advocacy and client service, and challenged my perceptions that lawyers are primarily adversarial.
Through these experiences, I came to appreciate that legal practice is not only about technical expertise, but also about communication, judgment and strategy in serving our clients effectively.
Chapter 2: Admission to practice – 20 November 2025
It is a significant personal and professional milestone to announce that on Tuesday 18 November 2025, I was formally admitted to the roll of practitioners as an Australian Lawyer at the Supreme Court of Victoria.
This was a prestigious day, one of which I underestimated the gravity of. In the presence of my parents, boasting with pride, I was formally moved into practice. Grazia, my principal and mentor moved my admission to the court. In awe of the history that surrounded me in the Banco Court, a beautiful court full of grandeur, I officially became a lawyer.
A moment which seemed like it was forever coming, I thought back to the many nights of late night studying, the small victories, the setbacks and the people who supported me along the way.
In parting words of wisdom, Chief Justice, The Hon. Richard Michael Niall, said the following comment, it is not your job to tell your clients what they want to hear. Drilled into me since law school, that is something that I will forever remember as I continue to practice.
As I left the Court, I felt a surreal sense of achievement. I finished my day with gifts, flowers and a celebratory lunch and dinner in acknowledgement of my achievements and most exciting of all, a stamp confirming my newly appointed title.
Wednesday was spent applying for my practicing certificate and changing my email signature and now, I begin my time documenting my first few months as a newly admitted lawyer.
Stay tuned as I embark on the next phase of my journey…
