This is Allens

I didn’t start my legal career at Allens, but when the opportunity came to join the firm, it felt like the right next step. I was at another firm in retail financial services when I was approached to help expand Allens’ investment in this space. The depth of commitment to building a best-in-class practice was clear from the outset, and the chance to work alongside people like Kerensa Sneyd and build something market-leading together made the decision an easy one.

Retail financial services isn’t a mainstream area that you learn about in university – it’s something people often stumble into. That was certainly the case for me. I was originally interested in family law, but by the end of university I realised that it wasn’t the right path for me. I decided to pivot into banking and finance, and quickly found myself drawn to the regulatory side. Over the years, I’ve worked across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and what’s kept me energised is the tangible impact of the work. Everyone interacts with retail financial products – from home loans to payment systems – and helping clients design, improve and future-proof those products means the work we do touches millions of lives. So in a funny way, the work I've ended up doing has brought me back to what I originally loved about the law – people and their experiences. 

Clients come to us when they’re building something new, making a strategic shift, or navigating regulatory change. Sometimes it’s about solving a problem before it becomes a big one. Other times, it’s about helping them see around corners – identifying risks and opportunities that aren’t immediately obvious. What they’re looking for is more than just legal advice. They want someone who understands their product, their business and the broader ecosystem. Someone who can translate complex regulation into practical, usable guidance. Someone who can help them deliver value to their customers while staying ahead of the curve. That’s where I think we really add value – by being embedded in our clients’ worlds, not just reacting to issues but helping shape the path forward. 

As I’ve grown in my career, I’ve also found real satisfaction in mentoring and developing junior lawyers. Watching someone tackle a new area, build their confidence and become a trusted adviser in their own right is incredibly rewarding. It’s a privilege to be part of that journey.

What excites me most is the opportunity to solve hard problems – the ones where there’s no clear precedent, where the law hasn’t caught up yet, or where the client’s challenge spans multiple parts of their business. I enjoy the intellectual rigour of that work, but also the creativity it demands. And I love seeing the impact – whether it’s a new product launched, a smoother customer experience, or a client who feels more confident navigating complexity.

The pace of change in our sector is relentless – from digital transformation to shifting customer expectations to regulatory reform. But that’s what makes it interesting. Our clients are thinking deeply about how to deliver better experiences, build trust and stay competitive. Being part of that conversation, and helping them get there, is what drives me.