With more than 20 years’ experience across private practice and the public sector, Trina brings a purpose driven approach to career coaching. After roles at LawAccess NSW and Legal Aid NSW, she now supports UNSW Law & Justice students to explore career options, build confidence and create pathways aligned with their values.
Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to UNSW Law & Justice?
I came to law wanting to support my community. I started in private practice but quickly realised I wanted my work to have a more direct impact, particularly for people who couldn’t afford legal help.
That led me to the public sector, where I spent over 20 years at LawAccess NSW and Legal Aid NSW in a mix of legal and leadership roles. Supporting UNSW Law & Justice students feels like a natural extension of that work. I’m motivated by helping students find confidence and direction, especially when their path isn’t straightforward.
What do you wish you’d known about legal careers as a student?
That there’s no single “right” pathway. Legal careers are far more diverse than they can appear at university, and your first role does not define your entire career.
I also wish I’d understood how important values are. What looks impressive on paper isn’t always where you’ll thrive. It’s okay to choose work that aligns with who you are.
What attracted you to government law, and what did that work involve?
When I finished my degree, I had a one-year-old daughter and needed a sustainable balance between work and family. At the time, government roles offered flexibility, supportive culture and room to do meaningful work without sacrificing wellbeing.
My work included legal advice, team leadership, supervising staff and graduates, developing plain language legal resources and delivering training and performance development. It was community focused, purposeful work that kept me engaged for more than two decades.
Many students are interested in government law but unsure how to get there. What would you recommend?
Graduate programs are a strong entry point, offering structured training and exposure to different teams. Paralegal roles and other legal support roles are available in a broad range of Government departments, experience that will make students more competitive and may lead to future opportunities. Internship opportunities with Government for course credit is also something I recommend to students wanting a career in this space.
Another pathway is building experience elsewhere first, then pivoting into government. Transferable skills like communication, problem solving and working with diverse communities are highly valued.
How does career coaching support students who feel uncertain or behind?
Career coaching helps students pause, get clarity and break big questions into manageable steps. We work through what’s holding them back, identify strengths and values, and build realistic plans to build skills and grow experience.
That combination of reassurance and practical guidance helps students feel more confident and in control.
What’s a small shift you often see make a big difference?
Many students believe experience only counts if it’s paid legal work. When paralegal roles are hard to secure, that mindset can be discouraging.
We unpack what employers actually value and identify ways to build those skills through volunteering, student leadership, competitions or internships for course credit. That shift helps students see progress instead of setbacks.
How do you help students choose pathways that fit their strengths and values?
It starts with conversation. We talk about what matters to them, how they like to work and what environments suit them.
I also encourage students to test their interests through volunteering, internships, clerkships or part time work. Real world experience builds insight and confidence.
Do you have a success story that stands out?
One student was the first in her family to attend university and struggled to secure paralegal work. We focused on building legal experience through volunteering at a community legal centre, expanding her network and highlighting her skills gained from her customer-facing retail role.
She later secured a paralegal role and is now aiming for a NSW Government graduate position. Watching that growth in confidence has been incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give students who don’t have everything figured out?
It’s completely normal to not have everything figured out. Be open, get involved and try new things. Work experience, extracurriculars and networking all add up, even if the path isn’t linear
What can students do early in their degree to set themselves up well?
Part-time work. Customer service and similar roles build communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, which legal employers value highly.
How can students make the most of career coaching at UNSW Law & Justice?
Use it throughout your degree. Early on, coaching helps with exploration. Later, it supports resumes, experience building, clerkships, graduate roles and the transition into work.
If students feel hesitant about reaching out, what would you want them to know?
Career coaching is supportive, student focused and judgment free. There’s no expectation to have everything figured out. Reaching out is simply a first step, and we’re here to make that feel easy.
Find out more about the UNSW Law & Justice Careers Service here.