In an interview with Lawyers Weekly, Mei Gong, a senior associate for Johnson Winter Slattery, and Matt Floro, the president of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association, discuss the challenges junior lawyers frequently encounter at the outset of their legal careers. They also share insights on navigating these challenges and offer valuable advice they wish they had received when they started.

Challenges

Young lawyers from diverse backgrounds encounter a range of challenges that all legal professionals may not face throughout their careers.

Gong identified that one of the challenges is the financial burden and strain these young students have to experience, especially since most can’t access government subsidies.

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“Law degrees are expensive. Particularly for junior lawyers who are international students or seeking to requalify to practise law in Australia and who may not be able to access government subsidies, this upfront cost can be prohibitive,” Gong said.

She also shared how unconscious bias continues to be a significant barrier in the recruitment process for many young lawyers from diverse backgrounds, even pointing out her own struggles with this issue.

“There is also unconscious bias. Many junior lawyers from diverse backgrounds do find it hard to get paid work experience. I personally have experienced unconscious bias based on my non-Anglo-Saxon name in applying for jobs in university and have heard similar experiences as well,” Gong said.

“A 2023 study done by Monash University and King’s Business School that found (based on a sample size of 12,000 job applications for 4,000 jobs) that people with non-Anglo-Saxon names received 45 per cent fewer positive responses for non-leadership positions as compared to applicants with English names.”

In light of the challenges encountered when attempting to enter the legal profession, Gong articulated that such difficulties may compel some young lawyers to pursue “unpaid internships” to secure an initial opportunity within the field.

Floro also echoed these sentiments by highlighting that “junior lawyers from diverse backgrounds often encounter systemic barriers such as unconscious bias, exclusion from informal networks, and stereotypes questioning their abilities”.

He mentioned that another challenge these young lawyers face is the “lack [of] mentors who understand their unique challenges” and the difficulty in “finding representation in leadership roles”.

Floro also expressed how these young lawyers with diverse backgrounds may encounter times when they are typecast as “quiet technicians rather than expressive leaders”. He emphasised that such characterisations can be detrimental, as they may undermine their confidence and hinder their professional growth.

How to navigate these challenges

Although some of these challenges are “structural” and “involve personal choices”, Gong stressed that numerous strategies exist that young lawyers can implement to navigate the difficulties they encounter effectively.

“Having a growth mindset is essential – junior lawyers should always be proactive in seeking feedback and having open conversations with a trusted mentor so that they can access additional support to blossom into their best professional sel[ves],” Gong said.

She also shared how finding a community of like-minded individuals and peers who understand one’s unique challenges can provide the much-needed support to overcome those challenges.

“Finding communities and peers to connect with is also important, as it provides perspective and support.

“There are now a vast number of organisations that junior lawyers can engage with, ranging from young lawyers committees as part of the Law Society of NSW to other organisations such as Diverse Women in Law and Asian Australian Lawyers Association (AALA),” Gong said.

Gong highlighted how involvement in such groups and organisations can help young lawyers “build skills, build network[s], and build self-confidence”.

Floro also emphasised the significance of actively “seeking mentors and sponsors” through organisations such as the Asian Australian Lawyers Association, as having a supportive professional network “fosters camaraderie, advocacy, and opportunities”.

He noted how these young lawyers should also be actively participating in “diversity-focused initiatives and programs” as it enables them to “amplify their visibility and contributions”.

Floro added: “Emphasising strengths, challenging stereotypes, and showing pride in your work also help junior lawyers gain recognition while navigating biases and systemic hurdles effectively.”

Practical advice

Reflecting upon their own journey, Gong and Floro provide several pieces of advice they wish had been shared with them at the outset of their respective careers within the legal profession.

Gong’s key piece of advice is simple yet powerful: “If you never try, you never know. If you never try, you never grow. The journey will not be easy; yes, there might be moments where you might well feel like giving up, or you wonder how many more doors you can possibly bang on that do not seem to budge.”

“Know that persistence will pay off, know that you are not alone, and know that the grit and passion you will develop through the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of your journey will ultimately be useful no matter where you end up. You’ve got this!”

Floro shared the significance of establishing relationships early in one’s career, stating how “networking isn’t just about contacts – it’s about nurturing allies and finding mentors and sponsors who will back you in your goals”.

He also expressed young lawyers “understand the value of your unique, diverse perspective and use it as your superpower, not your kryptonite”.

Floro said: “Don’t shy away from speaking up or seeking opportunities, even in intimidating spaces.”