She balanced her legal studies with her athletic pursuits
A major moment for Emily Burgess was her admission to practice after completing her legal studies alongside athletic pursuits that saw her train and play competitive netball with teams like the Adelaide Thunderbirds, the NSW Swifts, and the Northern Mystics in New Zealand.
She was uncertain of her career path at first, but the law pulled her in, and today, she is on WRP Legal’s tax and commercial law team, where she was promoted to associate earlier this year. In this September interview, Burgess explains why she sees real value in exploring new and innovative ways to approach legal work.
What made you choose a career in law, and what's your favourite part of the job?
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at first. I knew I enjoyed problem-solving and wanted to keep my career options open. I thought that by studying law and commerce (majoring in accounting) there would be enough flexibility for me to find something that I liked doing.
As I progressed through my study, I found myself drawn to the legal side. I now work at WRP Legal in tax and commercial law. I find this type of work particularly positive and rewarding because it often involves working with clients to grow their businesses, structure new ventures or undertaking transactions.
What in your opinion has been the most memorable event of your career to date?
Being admitted to practice was a significant milestone for me, especially after balancing competitive netball alongside my studies. During the years I was at university, I had the opportunity to train and play with the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Northern Mystics (in NZ) and NSW Swifts.
Achieving my admission to practice law after balancing both paths is something I’m really proud of.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last year or so?
My proudest accomplishment in the last year is being promoted to associate.
What should the profession focus more on?
To be honest, I still have a lot to learn before commenting broadly on the profession. That said, I do see real value in exploring new and innovative ways to approach legal work. With the rising costs of legal services and doing business more generally, I think it is worthwhile to continue evolving the way we practice to better support the commercial objectives of our clients and to deliver more value.
What are your thoughts on new technology and its impact on the legal profession?
I’ve noticed AI and tech is increasingly being developed and used in legal practice. I'm glad I completed my studies and had some practical experience before AI tools became widespread, as I think that helped me build some foundational skills first. While AI can definitely improve efficiency, I’m curious to see in time whether or not it will support the learning process for junior lawyers.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
I’m hoping to visit my brothers who both live interstate and spend some quality time with family. A holiday somewhere warm to recharge would also be nice!
