Catherine Coles and the elective that changed her life

A self-described opportunity junkie, Catherine Coles moved from Sydney to Canberra in 2003 to study Arts Law at The Australian National University (ANU). She immersed herself in the vibrant ANU community, trying out various clubs, volunteering, and living on campus at John XXIII College.

"I just wanted to try everything at uni," says Catherine. "I think those years are critical for your maturity and development. That's when I started being being exposed to my 'tribe' - people with similar interests and values."

But it was an elective - the ANU Law Clinic - that had the biggest impact. Run in partnership with Legal Aid ACT, the course provides students the opportunity to engage with real clients, tangible issues and hard deadlines in a real-world environment. Catherine credits her time at the ANU Law Clinic with helping her find her path and preparing her for a career in law.

"That elective changed my life, for sure," says Catherine. "We were in the thick of it, doing practical work and listening to clients' issues, problems and challenges. I guess that was my light bulb moment."

Today, Catherine is a respected family law specialist and a director of the boutique family law firm Parker Coles Curtis. Influenced by her experiences at university, Catherine and her partners have made giving back to the community central to the firm's values - providing pro bono legal services to those in need and partnering with local charities such as Karinya House, Round-About Canberra, Menslink, and YWCA Canberra.

"By finding my tribe, my co-directors Debra Parker and Jacquelyn Curtis, and having that shared values set, we can practice law the way we want to - we can do law better," says Catherine.

"Our clients aren't just another person through the door. They're individuals who we want to really work with and help, which is what really gets me going in my job; seeing someone who is potentially broken, or subjected to abuse - whether it's physical, emotional, financial - or grappling with losing their kids, and then seeing the transformation we can help them make."

Catherine is also an advocate for women in the law, acknowledging the challenges that women face in the traditionally male-dominated field. She believes that supporting women to succeed and pursue leadership positions, is key to making law more accessible.

"As we know, women have a lot to offer," says Catherine. "But there is this massive gap in women, who generally [leave] because they have children or feel like they just can't break-through the traditionally male dominated space. With so many women leaving the profession, it diminishes the pool of women who are potentially going to end up in those leadership positions."

To help remedy this, Catherine is actively involved in mentoring young female lawyers.

"I've been really lucky to have some amazing mentors and so I see it as my responsibility to give back, and to provide support to younger female lawyers," says Catherine.

Parker Coles Curtis employs a team of 11 family lawyers ranging in experience level. Of mentoring the next generation, Catherine says "I want to continue to build on mentoring, to really foster and nurture the solicitors who are rising up through the ranks. It's exciting to see them develop."

When asked about her best advice to those starting out in the legal field, Catherine says it's all about the right support, finding your passions, and seizing opportunity when you see it. "Find the people who are going to inspire and support you, and surround yourself with those people - I think this is my advice." 

"Oh, and don't be afraid to explore opportunities," she adds. "That's how you'll find out what really excites you."