Olivia Gabrielle Ferguson

At a high-volume criminal defence firm, I provide critical legal and administrative support to solicitors and clients across a wide range of criminal and traffic matters. My responsibilities include preparing court materials, constructing affidavits, managing client documentation, and liaising with courts, prosecution, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) throughout Queensland.

I am responsible for organising the next-day court calendar, requiring exceptional attention to detail, adaptability, and forward planning. I have extensive experience handling matters involving work licence applications, drink and drug driving offences, demerit point suspensions, driving whilst disqualified or suspended, and domestic violence breaches.

I regularly appear in court to conduct mentions and adjournments in the Magistrates Court and have presented indictments in the District Court. I also coordinate with correctional centres to schedule client conferences, ensuring communication flows smoothly between solicitors and clients in custody.

As the firm’s first point of contact, I manage complex and sensitive client interactions with empathy and professionalism. I play a key role in supporting billing processes by liaising with clients to arrange and monitor payment plans, issuing reminders, and following up on outstanding balances to ensure matters proceed in accordance with firm policy.

My role requires strong emotional intelligence, discretion, and the ability to multitask effectively under pressure in a fast-paced legal environment where procedural accuracy and client care are essential.

As a Guest Services Agent at a high-end hotel, I effectively conducted concierge services and managed reservations, ensuring seamless check-in and check-out processes. I promptly addressed and resolved guest complaints and billing disputes, maintaining a high level of guest satisfaction. I navigated a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while managing demanding guest requests. Enhanced communication skills were crucial for collaborating with various departments to quickly address and fulfill guest needs. This experience significantly refined my phone etiquette, multitasking and organisational abilities.

At LawRight, a non-profit community based legal organisation that coordinates the provision of pro bono legal services, I gained experience in representing vulnerable groups.

Key responsibilities:

• Conducted effective interviews with vulnerable clients, assisting the supervising lawyer by taking comprehensive file notes outlining points discussed.
• Demonstrating knowledge of a wide range of legal matters including debt matters, victim assist applications, domestic violence matters, spur debts, and tenancy matters.
• Performing thorough legal research relevant to the clients situations to ensure to provide accurate and helpful advice.
• Drafting correspondence and collaborating with lawyers to address both legal and non-legal issues faced by clients.
• Managing client files efficiently within the law firm environment, ensuring all documentation was accurate and up to date.
• Responding to distressed clients phone calls with care and compassion, providing them with all the necessary support and guidance.
• Conducting legal research to prepare materials for my supervisions presentation to head of governments and associated legislators on matters related to Law rights work.

Upon returning to the Gold Coast in November 2023, I was offered my previous position by my former employer, with whom I had worked for from 2020-2022.

During my time at Micah Projects, a leading nonprofit organisation dedicated to addressing community injustice, I worked alongside my supervising lawyer to provide integrated support and advocacy services in a triage format. My key responsibilities and accomplishments included:

• Collaborated with clients and the lawyer to take accurate file notes during meetings, allowing the lawyer to engage directly with clients and connect them to tailored support services that met their unique needs.
• Enhanced my interpersonal skills and file note taking abilities in a fast-paced, often chaotic environment, working with clients who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

My connection with LawRight Brisbane allowed me to spend two days at the Cairns office, where I engaged with lawyers and gained insights into regional communities legal challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage office and service scheduling.
• Keep data entry and records.
• Take client notes in order to optimally service their needs.
• Multitask administrative and client interactions.

During my time shadowing Magistrate Bowles, the supervising Magistrate of the Children's Koori Court at Melbourne's Children's Court, I gained valuable insights into the judicial process and complexities of juvenile law. Key responsibilities included:

• Observing courtroom proceedings to understand legal protocols and case management in juvenile cases.
• Engaging in discussions with Magistrates and Judges from the Children’s Court, District Court, and Federal Circuit and Family Court, enhancing my interest in Family Law.
• Assisting Magistrate Bowles in reviewing case files and evidentiary materials for hearings.
• Observing interactions between the court and various stakeholders, including lawyers, social workers, Indigenous elders, and families, to appreciate the multidisciplinary approach critical for youth cases.
• Gaining an understanding of the ethical and cultural sensitivities in handling cases involving at-risk youth, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interacting and meeting the needs of the public in a busy commercial setting.
• Satisfied a variable timetable amongst my university commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engaging with the general public ensuring all complaints are effectively resolved meeting customers satisfaction.
• Proved successful working within fast-paced atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities:

• Servicing customers, making food and preparing coffee.
• Collaboratively working with my colleagues responding to high volume work loads.
• Ability to handle difficult members of the public while effectively resolving any conflict resolution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversaw daily operations to maintain high productivity levels.
• Attended to patient needs and ensured all pre surgical requirements were met for a smooth transition to the surgeon.
• Managed post surgical administrative tasks for each patient.
• Advocated effectively, maintaining communication with staff, patients, and families before and after surgery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provided weekly support for sick children and their families, offering respite from challenging situations.
• Engaged in bedside play and conversation, delivering compassion and emotional support.