He decided he wanted to help people navigate the big moments in their lives
For Ben Ades, law at its best is about people and real-life issues, not just court processes and pleadings. The wills and estates specialist took up law because he was drawn to the idea of helping others navigate the big moments in their lives.
In the first part of this September interview, the Barry Nilsson special counsel tells Australasian Lawyer the profession he might have gone into if it weren’t for a blood phobia and talks creating estate plans that minimise possible disputes.
What made you choose a career in law, and what's your favourite part of the job?
I was raised in a medical family but I have a blood phobia, so I wasn’t going to follow in their footsteps. I was drawn to the idea of helping people navigate life’s most significant moments. Law, and particularly Wills and Estates law, offered an opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
My favourite part of the job is building trust with clients and guiding them through complex, sometimes emotional decisions with clarity, professionalism and compassion.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last year or so?
My proudest accomplishment recently was helping a blended family couple create an estate plan that respected everyone’s wishes and minimised potential disputes.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned in your career and what advice can you give fellow lawyers about it?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of active listening and communication. Truly understanding clients’ needs, objectives and concerns is the foundation of effective legal advice. My advice to fellow lawyers is to never underestimate the value of being able to communicate complex legal issues to a client in clear, accessible language.
What in your opinion has been the most memorable event of your career to date?
During my career, I have worked as a lawyer at a Big Four bank and as a consultant at a Big Four accounting firm. These experiences exposed me to a variety of work environments beyond the traditional private practice law firm model. The knowledge and insights I gained in these roles have been invaluable, and I draw on them often in private practice.
If you could relive one day in your life, which day would it be and why?
In a professional context, if I could relive one day, it would be the day I helped a client resolve a long-standing estate dispute. Seeing their visible relief and gratitude reminded me why I practise in this area. It was a powerful reminder that, at its best, the law is about people and real-life issues, not just court processes and pleadings.
