A targeted employment program with local high schools has allowed Farrell Goode to become one of the largest law firms outside of Wagga Wagga in the Southern Riverina.
A team of legal experts that covers Temora, Narrandera, West Wyalong and Cootamundra – now boasts four solicitors, with Jack Langley recently admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW.
Farrell Goode director Jason Goode admits it has not been an easy road to expand his practice. “As our business was growing, we found it particularly difficult to attract solicitors who were willing to move to Temora or Narrandera,” Jason said. “When we did manage to find people, they quite often moved back after a few years as they did not have strong local connections, such as family or friends.”
Innovative solutions for age old problems
To solve his resourcing problems, Jason came up with an innovative solution – forming partnerships with local high schools. “I made contact with the local careers advisor and discussed our need for professionals, and our preference to employ local people,” he said.
As a result, Farrell Goode began employing Year 12 graduates as Business Administration trainees. This allowed employees to get a feel for the profession and how it worked, and vice versa. Trainees found to be a good organisational fit with an interest in becoming a solicitor were then offered ongoing employment while they studied. The firm also offered to pay their university fees so they would not have a huge HECS debt when they finished.
The endeavour has proved a resounding success. Mitchell Flakelar became a partner at Farrell Goode in 2018 after joining the firm as a school leaver in 2007, while James Read became a solicitor in 2021,followed by Jack Langley earlier this year. Leeton local, Adam Mitchell, is currently a student at law and set to join their ranks in the next few years.
A team of legal experts
Farrell Goode can now proudly boast a joint president of the Riverina Law Society and member of the NSW Law Society Rural Issues Committee, as well as four solicitors specialising in a wide range of areas.
“As part of their training I encourage students to gain experience in all areas of law so they understand the different practices, how they interact and discover what they are most passionate about,” Jason said. “In country practices solicitors tend to either practice in real estate law and Wills and estates or family law and litigation. We are now at a size that if someone wants to concentrate on a particular aspect of law they can. However, all our solicitors remain highly capable of assisting their clients in a wide range of matters or can refer them to someone else in our office if they require more specialist assistance.”
For further information on future traineeships or advice from a firm with the experience, expertise and capacity to handle your legal needs, contact Farrell Goode on 02 6977 1155.
Farrell Goode’s team of legal experts has the expertise and experience to help you with you legal needs.
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