Mary Chalmers SC
Boss barrister by day, mum & G&T lover by night.
Mary Chalmers SC has had a remarkable career in the law. 12 years at the DPP, and in 2018, she was one of four formidable women who established Murray Chambers Northern Territory - a barristers chambers run by Territory women who are kicking goals & ensuring justice is served.
Last month, she was appointed Senior Counsel (gaining the SC after her name) - a huge achievement & one that many aspiring lawyers & barristers find incredibly inspiring.
Opening of Murray Chambers Northern Territory – from left to right Raelene Webb QC, Mary Chalmers SC, Georgia McMaster, Kerry Clark and Tamzin Lee
Here’s 10 minutes with Mary.
Why the Territory?
We moved from Auckland to Nhulunbuy when I was 7 years old and fell in love with the wildness and adventure of the place. I have stayed here to raise my own family as Jack (hubby) and I love the Territory lifestyle.
What led you to the law?
A long and winding road. At one stage I thought I wanted to be a history professor!
A time you failed?
In primary school we had to do something called Newcombe-Ball in sports, and I was absolutely terrible at it - still too traumatised to discuss in detail.
What do you do when everything feels overwhelming?
I have a few strategies to stop panic setting in.
Stop work and make a list is my main one – it makes things seem achievable.
Where possible I will just go home and have a bath or take the dog and kids to the beach – and start again in the morning.
How did Murray Chambers come to be?
I had lunch at Ruby with some of my favourite women lawyers (Raelene Webb QC, Georgia McMaster, Jodi Truman, Tamzin Lee) and hey presto!
Best part of being your own boss?
Managing my own time and choosing who I work with.
Worst part of being your own boss?
No one to blame when the diary gets crazy.
Best courtroom story?
There are plenty, but one memorable moment was Jon Tippett QC giving evidence from the bar table to Her Honour Justice Blokland, trying to explain twerking. There may have been a demonstration.
On a more serious note, I have been in court when an Aboriginal witness was asked by the Judge if she promised to tell the truth and she replied “Guilty”, apparently of the view that this is what one is supposed to say when attending white man’s court.
3 things you've learned as a woman in the law?
(1) Expect to be under-estimated;
(2) Ambition is a dirty word;
(3) There are a lot of amazing women in the law.
Best piece of advice you've received?
You’re not special.
Advice to your 30-year-old self? It’s OK that you’re no good at Newcombe-Ball (but do you think you could try a bit harder to get the ball over the net because it really doesn’t look that difficult)
Best Mum-hack?
Hello Fresh & similar meal deliveries were a welcome development for working parents – embrace them! I can provide plenty of advice in the “what not to do” category as well.
Favourite cocktail?
A good gin & tonic, preferably mixed by my husband Jack Lewis.
Favourite part of the Territory?
Haven’t been to a place I didn’t like. Current fave is Alice Springs.
Favourite restaurant?
We have so many great ones, but I miss some of the old legal lunch haunts like Guiseppes and Charlies.
Current favourites for women lawyer lunches include Moorish, Meraki, Yots or Rendezvous. I also love getting Sari Rasa takeaway and having it in chambers.
Favourite swimming hole? Boulder Creek, Maguk, Gunlom all in Kakadu.
Advice for anyone considering a career in the law?
I tell my kids that lawyers help people, and at its most basic this is what the job entails – it’s what I most enjoy about my job. There will be tears and a lot of hard work, but it can be immensely rewarding.