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Julian Burnside Highlight
Julian Burnside
Human Rights Lawyer
No matter what job you go into, when you're at the bottom end, you're not going to be developed and noticed as an individual; you're just getting good at what you're doing.
About Julian
- Says of his life's work, "It's all been fun"; from minor criminal cases to arguing in the Australian Supreme Court, he's enjoyed his profession.
- Wasn't sure what he wanted to do, went to study law at Monash University because that's what his girlfriend's brother was doing.
- Wanted to be a management consultant so he switched to an economics degree, then someone suggested he become a barrister.
- Believes that "if your mind is prepared, opportunities will tap you on the shoulder, and you'll recognize the right one."
- Stresses that anyone working an entry-level job isn't necessarily going to be valued as an individual, but they're learning crucial skills.
- Says you can't work a job for 10 minutes and wonder why you're not being taken seriously-you have to put your time in, like everyone else.
- Especially passionate about refugees and asylum seekers because he hates to see injustice, in any form.
- Says he had to put in years of learning how to be a good lawyer in general before he could be taken seriously as a human rights lawyer.
