come down to following a career path you're truly interested in.

For Gomes, that interest was aviation. He is a qualified pilot and has been elected to membership of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Royal Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. At Middletons, he has already managed to carve out a niche area of expertise in the practice - placing him in a competitive position to lead in the field as his experience continues.

Gomes is lecturing and co-ordinating the course of Aviation Law and Regulations at UNSW, while also acting as state co-ordinator of the Aviation Law Association of Australia and New Zealand.

He believes that, with a vast array of career options now open to young lawyers, it's difficult to picture where one might be in the future. But seeking experience in a

solid practice area such as aviation does help. "My role as an aviation lawyer combines two passions, and I would always look to work in a senior position that touches both industries - whether that is in the context of a law firm, or a commercial or policy setting."

It's this passion for aviation that Gomes believes assists him in finding so much satisfaction in work. "If you have a passion for a particular area of the law, the hard slog that often comes with being a lawyer will be easier to shoulder, you will perform better and maybe - just maybe - you will actually enjoy your job."