Position: Commercial Paralegal, Database Administrator
Ph: 07 4046 1168
Email: [email protected]
Half of her time is allocated to working with Senior Associate Alice Hoban in corporate, business and property law.
Having spent eight years providing high-level support to two directors and a third lawyer in WGC Lawyer’s litigation team, Karen now enjoys contributing to the commercial team as they assist corporate entities, property developers, small business owners and individuals.
The second component of Karen’s role entails overhauling the firm’s database, with a particular focus on updating and automating WGC’s library of precedent documents. This role requires a high degree of strategy and forward planning, balanced with flexibility and rapid assimilation of new skills, including coding.
Drawing on her computer science degree and workplace experience, Karen assists colleagues with minor technical issues as well as liaising with IT support and the practice management software provider to resolve larger matters.
Prior to joining WGC Lawyers, Karen lived in Japan for four years and upon returning to her native Cairns gained experience in a broad range of sectors, including education, financial planning, tourism and hospitality.
Outside the office, she undertakes paid writing and proofreading, fundraising and volunteering, tutoring high school students, studying Japanese and Spanish, physical challenges such as Tough Mudder, and enjoys having adventures in different parts of the world.
Qualifications and memberships
– Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), James Cook University, 2001
– Bachelor of Arts (Japanese), James Cook University, 2001
– OP1 (and also ranked among top 500 graduates in Australia), 1997
– Member, Golden Key International Honour Society
– Japanese Language Proficiency Test – Level 1, 2004
– Startup Weekend Cairns Winner, 2014