Heading for Goals: Michael Abrahams

Before joining Essendon, Michael was a lawyer connected with another popular sport in Australia – cricket, as legal counsel for the Australian Cricketers Association. The association represents the professional players, both men and women. Michael was involved in negotiating collective bargaining agreements with Cricket Australia, the governing body, among other tasks, including representing players individually in any grievances they might have. This was interesting and satisfying work, not least helping promote the women’s game. The role also involved coordinating with other player associations on issues of common interest. 

Before that, Michael had worked in-house for Vestas, a Danish-owned supplier of wind turbines (so not sport, in this case!).  The opportunity presented itself through another Freehills alumnus and appealed to Michael, who was looking to broaden his skills. Michael was also attracted to working in-house, having done a secondment while at Freehills.

Vestas had business throughout the Asia-Pacific, and the office in Melbourne served as the centre for Australia and New Zealand, as well as most of the Asia-Pacific markets.  As someone who knew very little about wind farms and the power sector generally, it was a steep learning curve for Michael. As contractors, responsible for supplying, installing and maintaining the wind turbines, it was a business operating at relatively high financial risk levels – with pressure for the turbines to operate as much as possible. However, Michael enjoyed the challenge of risk management and also working in a multinational, which required a certain amount of cultural adaptation.

All of which makes his time at Freehills (as was) seem like a long time ago. He joined the firm in 2002,  having done a vacation clerkship. He chose the firm both because he knew of the firm’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading law firms but, just as important, because he was made to feel very welcome.

He was with the firm for four years – working in the Litigation department – and recalls three people in particular having a great influence on his professional development: 
Darren James, a highly able technical lawyer who was always calm under pressure; Rebecca Shepherd, his personal coach; and Peter Holloway, who had the ability to readily identify key issues in any challenging situation and predict how that would turn out. “At difficult times now, I try to channel my inner Peter Holloway!” Michael says, with a laugh.

“What did I take from the firm?,” Michael continues.  “Be responsible for yourself and be as good as you can be. Keep learning and grab opportunities as they come up.”

It was a formative time for him, and Michael stays in touch with many of the others who joined the firm as articled clerks (trainees), of which there were 42 in his year. “We all went through that rite of passage together, and that really helped forge a bond for life.”

As for the rest of his life, Michael lives near the coast, and has access to good beaches, hiking and biking. Much of his down time is spent looking after his young children. And, of course, he follows other sports besides football, including cricket, tennis and – thanks to Netflix- Formula One racing.