Legal firm favourite for dynamic Debbie

THE ability to listen, take instructions from clients and accurately convey information are just some of the skills paralegal Debbie McFarlane has built up over her career.

The former legal assistant began working as a paralegal for Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in February.

Paralegals, under the supervision of a senior lawyer, can manage clients and do work which may have otherwise been done by a junior lawyer.

The Cairns business manages all Queensland claims for industrial deafness.

“It’s been quite a change to being an assistant to working autonomously with clients,” Mrs McFarlane, 43, said. “It’s been a … quick learning curve.”

Mrs McFarlane has worked in the legal industry since she was 20 and said good interpersonal skills were vital.

She moved to Australia from Christchurch, New Zea- land, in July 2011, four months after a deadly earthquake struck the region.

“I think paralegals need to be able to listen well and take instructions and be able to translate that into documentation required to deal with insurance inquiries,” she said.

“You need to be helpful and patient – a lot of [the clients I work for] are older gentlemen; they need someone with patience to guide them through the process.”

The mum-of-two complet- ed in-house training to take on the role and said she found the career flexible for parents who needed to combine full-time work with child rearing.

“I think it depends on the firm you’re employed with – luckily at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers they’re very accommodating for mothers and fathers.

“If you are organised and have understanding partners then there’s no reason you can’t work in the legal firm and be a parent.”