Tracey Harrip – December 2005
Each new
case gives me the opportunity to learn more about the industry in which the client is involved,
and the commercial and strategic imperatives of that particular client.
Two years of life in the French capital left an indelible mark on Brisbane litigation partner Tracey Harrip.
While the Parisian sojourn ended several years ago, the experience of being immersed in French commerce, language and culture continues, with Tracey serving her fifth consecutive term as the President of the Queensland Chapter of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The voluntary presidential role, which involves the promotion and integration of trade relations between the two countries, and her membership of the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Business Round Table Committee, have useful synergies with Tracey's role at Allens Arthur Robinson, where she is at the forefront of commercial litigation and dispute resolution, acting for a broad range of national and international private and government clients.
'Each new case gives me the opportunity to learn more about the industry in which the client is involved, and the commercial and strategic imperatives of that particular client,' she says.
Intellectual property, banking, government, mining and property development are among the industries in which Tracey has acted for many years.
'You become your client's confidante because you are there to help them resolve disputes and you work side-by-side to get an outcome,' she says.
Tracey, who is a qualified mediator and graded arbitrator, has forged a high profile over many years with the firm. She joined Brisbane firm Feez Ruthning (now part of Allens Arthur Robinson) in 1981 after graduating with a law degree from the University of Queensland. She began work in the litigation department and was made a partner in 1991. She is part-way through a Masters degree, specialising in information technology law. She is a regular presenter, both in French and English, for national and international bodies on a variety of legal topics.
'Every day when I get to work, I think that not only is this a fantastic firm to work for but I also get paid to work on something that I enjoy,' she says.
Tracey has been involved in numerous major matters over the years, many of which have impacted not only on the clients involved, but also potentially on the world of commerce generally. Recently, she represented the Brisbane City Council in a Federal Court challenge to a proposed commercial development on federal airport land in Brisbane. The matter involved legal issues of statutory interpretation, but also required consideration of an adequate interface between the proposed development and the town plan for the city of Brisbane, the council's supervisory role in the staging of the development and adequate infrastructure contributions being made to the council.
Being a partner is a challenge that Tracey enjoys, particularly the opportunity it gives her to be a role model and to encourage young lawyers. Tracey is a proponent of equal opportunities for women which she seeks to advance in a balanced sustainable way.
Tracey advises young lawyers to work hard and to never stop learning.
'Look for your strengths and weaknesses and make sure you listen and learn,' she says.
