Jay Leary—profile of new partner in Freehills’ Corporate group
10 July 2007New partner in Freehills’ Corporate group, Jay Leary, most enjoys two things about his area of practice: being part of the developing energy and resources sector, and working with people who are passionate about their industry.
‘Resources people are really passionate about their industry and you get a real collective feel being a part of that. Not only do I enjoy working as part of a team, but I also enjoy seeing things happen. It’s great to be part of a project team, starting with joint venture documentation, through the construction contract and execution phases to resolving disputes—all with the overriding purpose of facilitating a great project for the client. To see it from beginning to end and to feel like you’ve helped a client to build something and to do it in the best possible way—that’s the most enjoyable part for me,’ explains Jay.
Jay has spent the past eight years working in Freehills’ Perth and now Brisbane office, and says it is a ‘tremendous honour’ to be made a partner.
‘There are so many fabulous people that I have worked with at Freehills and so many people that I really look up to who are partners, so it is a great honour to now be their partner and to have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps,’ he says.
Jay has worked across the Litigation, Corporate, and Energy and Resources areas of law at Freehills, and has also spent some time on secondment. He worked at Rio Tinto Iron Ore for two and a half years as in-house counsel for the major projects group; he says this experience gave him the opportunity to develop his commercial skills and immerse himself in the mining industry.
‘Working on secondment was an experience I enjoyed every minute of. It allowed me to really understand the business and gave me great commercial skills. When I came back to the firm I continued to act as an advisor to them – and still do – and it’s much easier for me to understand how they are going to use my legal advice. It was also a great way to develop an understanding of the technical side of the resources industry,’ says Jay.
He also spent a year working as the associate to Justice Christopher Carr—a role that involved lots of research and was a great vehicle for Jay to become familiar with legal interpretation, court processes and the judicial system.
But it is in the areas of energy and resources, and infrastructure where Jay feels most comfortable. In this setting he has carved out his expertise in two broad streams—a range of commercial work for energy and resources companies and infrastructure owners, from development agreements to joint venture agreements, and an area of specialisation around third party access regulation in Queensland. The latter has included the regulation of infrastructure such as the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and the Queensland rail network. According to Jay, what distinguishes an exceptional lawyer is someone who is solutions focused and has a good understanding of the industry that they work in.
When it comes to highlights in his career to date, Jay points to his experience of acting as the principal solicitor on a pro bono matter that was rejected by the Federal Court on two occasions, before it was ultimately successful before the Full Court of the High Court.
‘I try and make a conscious effort to have some pro bono work in hand all the time. The work is varied, and the matters are always completely different to my practice area, but you do it because you have a professional obligation to fulfil.’
According to Jay, his path to partnership has been more about his focus on making himself the best possible lawyer and the best possible manager, rather than a focus on the end-point. He readily admits that it is hard work and is now preparing for this next stage of his career.
‘Practising law in the modern world can be hard work, but since my earliest days at University the law is something that I have been passionate about. I love learning about the law, applying it and the challenge of communicating it in a useful way. My other passion is people. I like working in a team and helping those around me to become the best that they can be.’
When it comes to advice to other lawyers aspiring to reach partnership, Jay describes law as a ‘marathon’ and says aspiring lawyers shouldn’t rush the journey.
‘It requires lots of hard work and is an art of doing, learning from what you’ve done and then refining it to keep on progressing. It’s also about developing not only your legal skills but other skills that are necessary to be a really good lawyer—like commercial skills, negotiation skills and presentation skills,’ says Jay.
The support of mentors is important to Jay, who says he draws inspiration from mentors both within the firm—such as Corporate partner Rick Malone and consultant Bruno Camarri—and externally. Jay cites former federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Fred Chaney, and Justices Christopher Carr, Ralph Simmonds and Robert French as examples of the latter.
‘It is really important to have somebody who provides you with coaching on a day-to-day level because they’re the people who contribute the most to your development, but you also need to have mentors who are removed that you can look up to and aspire to emulate in some way,’ says Jay.
When not focused on work, Jay likes to spend his time with his family, watch any game of AFL, indulge in a spot of gardening and visit his favourite French patisserie.
Jay’s professional biography is available by clicking here.
Public Affairs Manager
arriarne.kemp-bishop@freehills.com
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jeremy.hyman@freehills.com+61 2 9322 4957+61 448 390 798
