After spending fifteen years managing a construction business, often navigating legal disputes, Pip Downing decided it was time to pursue a career in law.
“I realised that I enjoyed dealing with legal issues and I found the law interesting. I even spent weekends researching legal issues to support our business.”
As someone who had been away from tertiary education for some time, Pip credits La Trobe University’s academic support services for his progress throughout the Bachelor of Laws degree.
“Early on my degree, I noticed that I lacked the high-level reading and professional writing skills required of a lawyer. It was recommended that I use some of the University's support resources, including professional writing seminars, peer-learning advisers and the librarians.”
“That learning experience, improvement and personal growth was remarkably satisfying. There was a direct link between a combination of personal effort and the University's offering on the one hand, and my development as a budding law student on the other,” he says.
Pip’s hard work paid off, and he was awarded the highly coveted Supreme Court Prize in recognition of his outstanding academic achievements.
The award was presented at the Supreme Court by the Honourable Justice Debbie Mortimer and the Honourable Justice Richard Niall, the Chief Justices of the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of Victoria, respectively.
“It was great to share this event with my wife, parents and three of my children. The commitment to my studies required a level of understanding and commitment from my family, especially my wife, Sanna. This kind of academic achievement requires time, and that absence naturally affects those around you. It was a team effort in the sense that we planned for how that time would be worked into our busy schedule.”
Pip has joined Level Playing Field Lawyers, a unique firm that combines the expertise of a law practice with the insights of a construction consultancy.
This role brings together the legal training developed during his degree with the practical knowledge and skills gained from his previous career. This combination has given Pip a fresh perspective on construction challenges, one that’s both personally rewarding and valuable to clients.
“I’ve always believed that understanding how things are built makes a big difference when solving legal problems in construction. It’s great to be part of a team that values that balance between technical know-how and legal precision.”
“I am working with clients who have had very similar experiences to me, so I have been able to help them, and that is very rewarding.”
