Inspiring Stories of Success and Leadership – JAMIE SHINE
Golf, often hailed as the sport of kings, has a storied history of captivating enthusiasts with its blend of skill, precision, and camaraderie. Over the years, the green fairways and manicured landscapes have witnessed the rise of exceptional female leaders across a variety of industries who have shattered barriers, redefined norms, and forged a path of success and leadership in traditionally male-dominated domains.
In this collection, we delve into the remarkable journeys of our fellow AWGN members and women in golf, exploring the triumphs, challenges, and invaluable lessons that have shaped their inspiring stories. Through these interviews, we aim to shed light on the multifaceted roles women play in their industries, as savvy entrepreneurs, dedicated mentors, and agents of change.
Our first installment will be on one of our Queensland Members, Jamie Shine. She is a personal injury lawyer and owner of The Law & Health Collective, a Brisbane law firm that seeks to help Queenslanders achieve better health and legal outcomes after an accident. For over two decades, Jamie has led teams in a national law firm focused solely on helping Australians suffering from varying degrees of Traumatic Brain Injuries and catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord damage and amputations.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM), and Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directions (GAICD). She is a past President of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland (‘WLAQ’) and past Secretary of Australian Women Lawyers (‘AWL’). Jamie is the mother of two energetic little girls, she enjoys playing social Oztag and is finally finding the time to get back into golf thanks to AWGN.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how did you decide on your area of specialisation?
My uncle, Kerry Shine, inspired me to get into law through his own career. He started a law firm in Toowoomba and was a passionate personal injury lawyer who wanted to give back to his community. I followed in his footsteps and undertook a 5-year articled clerk position, where you work full-time in a law firm whilst studying your law degree externally.
Through my work, I was most moved by those suffering from traumatic brain injuries. I took a keen interest in this area and took the opportunity to learn as much as I could so that I could better assist my clients and start-up teams focused purely on supporting people suffering from TBIs. I see early diagnosis and rehabilitation as being crucial to achieving the best possible health outcomes after an accident, so I started a personal injury law firm that aims to help injured Queenslanders get better health and legal outcomes after injury.
How has the landscape of business opportunities for women in law evolved over the years, and what changes are you excited to see in the future?
The landscape for women in law has changed drastically over the decades. Being involved in peak leadership bodies for women in law both at State and National level has given me a firsthand opportunity to hear from the remarkable trailblazing women in law about how it was for them when they first started in the industry. While significant inroads have been made thanks to these women, we still don’t see parity in numbers when it comes to high leadership levels like on boards or in executive roles. Given the number of remarkable, supportive women I know, I am excited for the future but more importantly, I’m excited to see a societal and cultural shift when it comes to the value we place on contributions by women, from the home to the workplace, as greater recognition is required.
As you are embarking on a new journey to start a law firm of your own, what are the most exciting and most daunting aspects of this transition for you?
I’m extremely excited about commencing my own law firm, it’s certainly the right decision for me. It affords me the opportunity to help those that are injured after motor vehicle or workplace accidents focus on early rehabilitation as part of their legal claim and allows me to practice law in a way that aligns with my values. The most daunting part is of course the financial risk you take when going out on your own.
In the launch of a new business venture, your network can be incredibly valuable. How do you approach professional networking, and what advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Early in my career, I didn’t appreciate the true value of having strong networks and connections. However, as I have progressed, I realise that these are essential. The value is not only for you, but the value you can pay forward to others thanks to your connections.
As I set up my own business, connections, and networks will go from being important to vital. My recommendation to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to start early with your connections base and look for opportunities both in and outside of your profession. If a rare opportunity arises which allows you to network in a fun and casual environment, as AWGN has created, jump at it!
Changing the tune slightly, when did you first start playing golf, and what originally drew you to the game?
I have my dad to thank for my introduction to the game. Jimmy is a keen weekly golfer at the Toowoomba Golf Club and when my brothers and I were little he seized the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. On a Saturday morning, he’d drop us off at the junior clinic while he’d fit in a round of golf. I’m so grateful to him for this introduction to the sport because even now it is a game I love to share with my family, particularly my brothers, who are far better than me. I also loved that everyone at the Club was so supportive and friendly, from my fellow juniors to the wonderful women members. I was very lucky to feel so included. Unfortunately, with a career and family, it has meant that I haven’t been able to find time for golf... until AWGN.
