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Partner Profile: Carlie Holt
Every week we ask a law firm partner a series of rapid-fire questions about their career. This week: Sparke Helmore Lawyers' Carlie Holt
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Which firm are you with?
When did you join that firm?
2002.
When were you made a partner of that firm?
2011.
Which firm were you at most recently prior to this?
Minter Ellison.
What practice group are you with?
Workplace - specialising in work, health and safety and coronial inquests.
What has been the most significant change to your practice area during your career?
The biggest change has to be the harmonisation of work health and safety legislation. Because we are yet to see the real impact of the harmonised laws in NSW so far, I’m also nominating the recent change that has seen WHS prosecutions coming before the District Court of NSW. The court has heard three sentence hearings to date, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in two of those.
What has been a major career highlight for you?
In all honesty, my career highlights happen most days, because every time I get a call following a serious incident I know there are a lot of people putting their faith in me.
What do you like about being a lawyer?
I am really satisfied by the sense of closure an inquest can offer people affected by a tragedy. It’s nice to be part of that process.
What do you find challenging?
Apart from being upstaged at parties by my arborist husband when the ‘what do you do?’ question is asked? Seriously, the most challenging thing can be dealing with the tragedies that are explored through a coronial inquest, particularly when it involves children.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I have to confess to being a mildly-obsessed fan of the Sydney Swans. I’m still basking in the after-glow of the premiership win this year.
