Crown Law welcomes three new law graduates

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Crown Law welcomed three new law graduates to our practice in February 2023.

Crown Law’s graduate program has been comprehensively designed to provide graduates with the necessary competencies that are required to work as a lawyer in the public sector. The key focus of the program is to offer on-the-job training including both technical and non-technical skills.

Lexie Graham, Grace Anderson and Ashleigh Pain-Geddes (pictured left to right) will rotate through Crown Law’s four legal branches where they will develop the technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to be a successful lawyer.

Law graduates at Crown Law can expect to experience the following:

  • access to a wide variety of legal work
  • the opportunity to work directly with clients to develop skills on unique and real legal challenges affecting the Public Sector and the State of Queensland
  • learning and development activities, attendance at our monthly Continuing Legal Education sessions  and the departmental mentoring program.

Meet our new graduates

Lexie Graham

Lexie came to law through a career change. She first completed a Bachelor of Human Services and Master of Social Work and was a social worker for 10 years. Lexie worked primarily across child protection, NDIS and housing and homelessness programs. She has done short stints in government early in her career, but most of her experience was with non-profit organisations.

Lexie’s experience in child protection has led to a strong passion for supporting vulnerable children and families. She currently sits on the Board of Edmund Rice Camps Queensland, which is a not for profit organisation providing mentoring programs to children and families via their camps. ‘I am a huge advocate for this organisation as I have seen positive outcomes firsthand via their programs’, Lexie explained.

Working with individuals and families who were often experiencing conflict with different areas of the law led to Lexie commencing a law degree in 2018. After supporting many individuals and families to seek legal information and advice, Lexie felt this is where her interest was, and this was the path she should take. Lexie graduated from law in July 2022 and is currently undertaking her Practical Legal Training (PLT).

Outside of working full-time and completing her PLT, you will find Lexie running around after her three children, playing hockey or surfing. Lexie and her partner also love snorkelling and head to the reef at least twice each year.

‘I am very excited to have joined Crown Law’s graduate program this year. The opportunity to rotate through the different branches of law is what attracted me to Crown’s grad program, alongside the ongoing diverse opportunities that Crown can offer’, Lexie said.

Lexie is currently undertaking her first rotation within the Workplace Law team.

Grace Anderson

Grace began her graduate program at Crown Law in the WorkCover team.

Grace holds a Bachelor of Law and Arts (Honours) from Griffith University. Prior to joining Crown Law, Grace’s experience was primarily in criminal law and court work, having worked at both the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and as an Associate in the District Court.

‘I am really enjoying the change in pace and interesting matters at Crown Law’, Grace said.

On the weekend, Grace enjoys bushwalking and a swim if the weather is suitable. ‘I have just moved from Far North Queensland, so I love the beach and the tropics. I also am really into birds, and enjoy birdwatching in my spare time’.

Ashleigh Pain-Geddes

Ashleigh’s Crown Law journey began in the Native Title and Resources team. She was admitted as a Solicitor in February this year after an eight-year journey, which saw pit stops in the form of two sons, a pandemic and a flood.

Prior to joining Crown Law, Ashleigh was a Forensic Analyst at BDO, conducting workplace investigations into allegations of bullying, misappropriation of funding, fraud and many other complex allegations. Ashleigh also spent three years as a volunteer contact officer at Caxton Legal Centre, primarily working with family law matters on the Family Legal Clinic evenings.

‘I have had a love and respect for the law for as long as I can remember. I am so grateful I am finally able to pursue my passion at Crown Law. Outside of work I enjoy running, pilates, the beach, red wine and hosting my friends for wine/game nights. I am a sucker for true crime podcasts and thoroughly enjoy any opportunity to weigh in on a debate about literally anything. I am a keen member of our local school community and volunteer in many roles during the year. I am forever on the go but I wouldn’t change a thing!’

Application process

Graduate vacancies are advertised on the SmartJobs website and through universities in September/October.