In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Ford who is a Criminal Lawyer here in Brisbane.  It has been the month of women working in criminal law on this show- an area of law often not associated with women lawyers but as I learned from Melanie last week and Sarah this week- this is a space that is fast attracting many women lawyers.

Sarah is a powerhouse of energy- which was a good thing for me, as the afternoon we recorded this interview I was fast contemplating leaving the law again and opening that florist!  She reminded me of the bits of law land that I enjoy and had me smiling along with her stories too.  Sarah has also this past year shared her own story of freezing her eggs- like so many professional women she is balancing her desire to have children with building her career- Sarah explains her decision to freeze some eggs and what that involved (it was much more complex than I thought!)

Sarah is a happy lawyer and I find out just why- a focus on health, strong relationships and rituals that ensure she can separate her work life from her home life seem to be the key!

* If Sarah was not a lawyer she would have been an actor on ‘Home and Away’!

* In high school, Sarah decided on a legal career rather than a career in the performing arts.

* Sarah grew up in Lismore, only 20 minutes away from when I grew up in Northern NSW.

* Sarah’s father was also a lawyer so the law was always an attractive prospect.

* Studying a double degree in Journalism and Law.

* Sarah’s experience of living on campus during her University years.

* Sarah tells us how she came to love Criminal Law as she completed her practical subjects at Legal Aid.

* Court appearances have become a joy for Sarah (and in part because of the excuse to run into her colleagues in the city!)

* Sarah’s partner is a personal trainer and she has become an advocate for health and fitness.

* The emotional turmoil that Sarah has seen her clients get through and how she aims to help them through a difficult time.

* Creating boundaries with criminal law clients.

* Sarah’s perception of urgency in law land and how she manages outside expectations.

* Sarah tells us what it takes to become a good Criminal Lawyer.

* The perception of female criminal lawyers and the importance of ‘finding your tribe’.

* Sarah’s involvement with the Women Lawyers Association Queensland (WLAQ) and the support this network provides.

* Sarah is passionate about egg freezing and shares with us why she has started talking about this aspect of her personal life.

* The future for Sarah both in and outside of the law.

* Collegiality in Brisbane compared to other cities in Australia.

* Court appearance tips for us all!

* Sarah’s Happiness Tip.

Sit back and enjoy this interview with Sarah Ford

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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre-  A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.   

Listen to last week’s episode here