Korina Leonico

After graduating, Korina took a gap year to travel and completed her honours year for her Arts degree before then turning to the gruelling process of applying for articles. After many applications, rejections and interviews Korina landed a position at a firm in which she was working as a temp receptionist. However, coincidently a few days earlier a vacancy for a position as a lawyer came up and Korina was offered articles.
 

After some time in private practice, Korina decided it was time for a change and transitioned into the not-for-profit sector working as a community lawyer. In this role Korina enjoys the freedom of not billing her clients for her time and having exposure to a broad range of legal areas. Additionally, Korina likes that she can have a close working relationship with her clients which she did not experience in private practice. Korina has also been involved in a unique project in Victoria working as a ‘school lawyer’ – offering an outreach legal service at a school in the outer suburbs of Melbourne.  She says this opportunity “has really opened up my understanding of what it means to offer ‘holistic lawyering’.”
 

In addition to her legal career, Korina has completed a Master of International Politics, is a parent and has partially completed a cert IV in textiles design. By working part-time, Korina enjoys being able to take time for herself to spend in her studio doing textile related activities.

 

How was your experience at Monash law school?

I remember feeling a little lost in those huge lecture theatres of students. I also remember struggling to understand how to properly do a law exam and a law essay.   I went through a great deal of trial and error.  Going through law school, I was feeling a little disheartened and wondered whether practising law would be for me.  

It wasn’t until I started practising law that I came to see that it was something that I found satisfying and enjoyable.

 

What are the most valuable skills you learnt at law school and how have they helped you achieve your career goals?

I think one of the most useful subjects in my law degree which still has great relevance to me on a near daily basis, is ethics.

 

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities and what value did these add to your personal/career development?

Most of my extracurricular activities had nothing to do with law. I did a couple of musicals with MUMCO for example. I think it was really useful in training me on how to juggle a healthy work/life balance.

 

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

Helping ordinary people navigate the legal system and achieving good outcomes for clients in circumstances where they may not otherwise have been able or willing to pursue on their own.

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What advice would you give to current/future students?

Having both ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ skills are important to being a good lawyer. 

Be open to trying different areas of law at different kinds of workplaces to see what strikes your interest and passion.

Volunteer at a community legal centre, have other pursuits outside of the law and do what makes you feel happy!