Babe Profile - May 2008

Michelle Bannister

Occupation:
Lawyer

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Professional details:
Michelle is a lawyer for Gadens Lawyers. She works in the corporate advisory group focusing on energy and resources and financial services and is currently completing a Graduate Diploma of Finance and Investment with FINSIA.

I most feel like a Babe when
I've finished 24 punishing gym sessions (a rare occurrence however as it has taken me until April to get back to the gym!

I love coming to work each day because
I work with a great team of people - Corny but true!

I first knew I wanted to be a lawyer when
I discovered I had no talent as a florist during a one week stint at Portobello Road, Notting Hill!

The one thing that got me where I am in my career today was
Failure as a florist and persistence. Gadens Lawyers is a very supportive firm to work for; the partners offer great guidance and career development.

I feel most challenged in my career when
It's 10am and I still haven't had my daily caffeine fix!

I feel most successful in my career when
We are celebrating in style (champagne in hand) with happy clients at the end of another successful project.

The highlight of my career has been
A trip to the High Court in Canberra. The matter before the court was a trial I'd worked on when I was a junior lawyer and the Partner at Gadens let me tag along to carry the briefcases. Geeky, I know.

If I wasn't a lawyer, I'd be a
According to my colleagues, the next Oprah!

The best piece of advice I have ever received was
Use eye cream and read gutsy girl by Kate White.

Next on my professional agenda is
Never disclose your intentions.

Michelle Bannister

To me, work/life balance means
Getting a cleaner! I also usually try to pack my weekends with social activities so there is no hope of work.

In ten years time I hope to be
Cruising around Lake Como with George Clooney (I hear he has a very nice villa)

I relax by
Catching up with friends, usually over a glass of wine on a boat.

The best holiday I ever had was
Skiing at Mammoth, California, last January with a group of friends - they'd had the best snowfall in years ... not to mention the après ski.

My greatest love is
A long, hot summer day spent at the beach with a particular Gold Coast boy who will remain nameless.

My favourite time of day is
My homecoming which is always met by my puppy Ralph with unconditional enthusiasm.

Something that makes me really happy is
Shoes! You should see how many boxes I have in my office! I've only recently mastered the art of not buying shoes when emotional ... they tend to only get worn once.

Something that makes me really mad is
Traffic jams! On the rare day that I drive from the Gold Coast to Brisvegas for work you can usually find me stuck in a traffic jam on the M1 which drives me insane.

I treasured my childhood because
My brother and I grew up in a small country town and we had lots of freedom to roam with friends. I also went to boarding school which I loved.

The most interesting person I ever met was
I believe everyone is interesting in their own way. I work with about 150 interesting people - a stand out is our in-house librarian Mari.

My biggest regret in life is
Not taking more risks ... then I remind myself that I'm a lawyer.

My greatest achievement is
Paying off my credit cards - not quite there yet.