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The benefits and challenges of a ‘tree change’
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, lawyers across the country relocated inland or to coastal towns and away from major metropolitan areas. How does such a move impact one’s professional lifestyle?
Jess Feyder
Two lawyers spoke about their “tree change”, having moved from the city to the country to continue their legal work. They discussed the benefits and challenges and gave advice to lawyers considering a tree change.
Three years ago, after studying and working in Wollongong and Sydney, Mr Dawson moved back to his hometown and began his sole practice.
“My work has not changed dramatically,” he noted. “It is like riding a bike, same skill but just different location — although I will say that I have changed my approach to my work and a positive one at that.
“The approach is more ‘hands-on’ — Working with the client as opposed to for and finding myself more engaged and satisfied in my career and lifestyle.”
Ella Cannon, principal at Hive Legal, detailed a similar trajectory in how her “tree change” unfolded.
After growing up in a regional town and moving to the city, 16 years on, the pandemic forced her to take stock. Now, she is raising a young family in an “incredible regional community”, while still working with metropolitan-based clients and delivering “high-quality and specialised legal services”.
Both Mr Dawson and Ms Cannon noted the integral role that technology played in facilitating the change.
“With the benefit of technology, I service clients from all over the country — ranging from the Riverina, Sydney, Wollongong, South Coast and Perth,” said Mr Dawson.
Ms Cannon noted that Hive has long supported flexible working arrangement and has designed systems supporting remote work in how the firm functions. Her transition, therefore, did not require much adaptation.
Ms Cannon noted that her clients are scattered across the country, with most tending to prefer the efficiencies that video conferencing brings, meaning there have been no detrimental impacts on her relationships with clients.
“When working in a large firm, certain special efforts must be made by the firm to ensure those working in remote locations are properly included,” explained Ms Cannon.
“There needs to be a commitment to [use] video conferencing for all meetings and catch-ups across the organisation to ensure everyone can participate at all times.
“You also need to get creative in how you connect with clients and team members to keep it fun and engaging while communicating via a screen.
“In-person events need to be scheduled with lots of notice so that those who might be travelling from regional or interstate locations have sufficient time to plan and don’t miss out.
“Home offices need to be equipped with good tech, so we can be just as efficient from home as we would be from the office.”
“The only real challenge,” Ms Cannon told Lawyers Weekly, “is the lack of spontaneous social connection that is so easy when working alongside others in an office”.
She mitigates this with regular calls to team members, travelling to the office regularly for lots of catch-ups, and joining in on the daily morning “stand-ups”.
The pair spoke to Lawyers Weekly about the benefits of a tree change.
For Mr Dawson, long hours in the city turned into a happy and healthy work/life balance in the country; his weekends are now filled with kayaking and barbecues as opposed to sifting through briefs.
“More importantly, the clients!” he stated. “Clients who are not painful [will] respect your privacy, and pay bills.
“Country lawyers are non-litigious (to an extent); they embrace collegiality, networking, and are keen to get the job done,” he explained. “Not that this doesn’t happen in the cities, but it’s much more prevalent in the country.”
For some lawyers, it could be difficult to do a tree change, depending on how fully their firm embraces remote work, Ms Cannon mused.
“While they might permit it, you need an organisation that will not only accept it but also jump into the trenches with you to try to make the arrangement not only work — but thrive — for you and your organisation,” she posited.
Mr Dawson gave advice to lawyers considering a tree change, “I think a lot of people have misconceptions about country living and working in the country.
“Don’t be scared!”
