7.15 AM
My first alarm goes off. I normally put on a podcast (current favourites are The Mismatch and The Ryen Russillo Podcast) and stay in bed for another half hour.
7.45 AM
My second alarm goes off and it's time to get out of bed. I like to take a shower in the morning to fully wake up before I tackle my day.
8.15 AM
By this time, I've made my morning green tea and I check my emails. Typical emails I receive are feedback for work that I have recently completed or instructions for a new task. While I had planned my day last night, I've since been given an urgent research task to be completed this morning.
9.00 AM
I like to work on my most difficult tasks early on in the day, as I find I'm at my sharpest around this time and distractions don't come pouring in… yet. I've been given an urgent research task on whether an order given by a Senior Registrar is a reviewable decision for the purposes of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (Cth). This involves a review of the relevant legislation and rules as well as a general check of any case law that might deal with the same issue. I chuck in the headphones, fire up lofi beats and it's go time.
10.25 AM
Fortunately, I manage to finish off my research task with just enough time to make a coffee!
10.30 AM
I have been asked to attend a mediation via virtual conference. Our client has historically been quite flustered and reactionary when dealing with his family law proceedings. Accordingly, I have been asked to take a detailed file note.
1.00 PM
The mediation has adjourned for a brief lunch break. During this time, I normally go for a walk just to get away from the screen and finish the second half of the podcast I started listening to in the morning. However, if the Golden State Warriors are playing, there is no less than a 100% chance I will be watching them during my break.
1.45 PM
The mediation has resumed, and the parties appear to be no closer to resolution. The opposing party's solicitor has sought to rely on a document that we do not believe we have seen. As such, it's my responsibility to scour through our correspondence on the matter file to check whether this document was ever sent across. It's a little stressful but in my experience, you'll never be given an unreasonable deadline. In this case, we are correct in asserting that we were never sent that document.
2.30 PM
Our client is clearly distressed but definitely wants the matter to be finished today. There are some disagreements as to the division of chattels but counsel advises the client that these are not significant in the grand scheme of things. Counsel reiterates that the client said he wanted to conclude this matter today and if he truly wants this, he will have to make some compromises.
3.30 PM
The parties managed to reach an agreement, hooray! My supervisor then brings me into a call with the client and counsel as we discuss the next steps to finalise the settlement.
4.00 PM
My supervisor also calls me for a follow-up call to see if I have any questions about the matter and the mediation process generally.
4.15 PM
At this point of the day, I prefer to work on the more straightforward tasks that require a bit more attention to detail. The opposing party in another matter I'm working on has just handed over their disclosure and it's up to me to prepare a memo summarising the materials provided.
5:15 PM
I have a quick catch up with my buddy for the rotation. I have been working with her for another matter and it turns out there are some expert reports that are over two weeks late! My buddy asks if I can give these experts a call for an update on their reports. Luckily for me, that's a tomorrow problem.
5.30 PM
I like to use this time to organise my schedule for the following day. My original plan for today was to draft an initiating application for an urgent matter seeking orders and accompanying affidavits. However, because I was given the research task, this has to be pushed to tomorrow. I also finalise all my time entries for the day before logging off.
5.45 PM
To keep active and reset my mind, I like to work out around this time. I alternate between weight training and cardio during the work week.
7.00 PM
It's dinner time! My girlfriend has made my favourite meal, crackling pork with garlic butter rice. Not the healthiest option, but good for the soul.
8.30 PM
After a quick shower, I hop on my computer and play some video games online with my mates. I find it really entertaining and it is quite rewarding to win as a team.
10.45 PM
It's time for bed. I know the word on the street is to avoid blue light 30 minutes before bed, but that is for more disciplined people than me! I go down the Netflix rabbit hole but ultimately end up watching a couple of episodes of Brooklyn 99 before lights-out.