I am merely a humble surrogacy and family lawyer who blogs

On the weekend I was attending the Surrogacy Australia conference in Melbourne both as a presenter and attendee when I was approached by a fellow attendee. I’ll call him Rob. What he told me was extraordinarily humbling. Rob said that he had been following this blog for several years and that it had helped inspire him to study law. Rob was now almost completed his studies and looking to go out into the big wide world of legal practice.

It is the law of unintended consequences, I suppose. I had written the blog to provide information to LGBTI people about legal issues, and from that education process hopefully I might get more clients. What I have found over the years instead is that the blog has also been relied upon by those seeking to change the world for the better, or going to a conference and  introducing myself to a judge, for him to say: “You’re the lawyer who blogs, aren’t you?” Gulp- yes, your honour.

The blog also led to me often being interviewed by the media about gay legal issues, most often recently about surrogacy. In addition I have been told that the blog has helped inspire others to study law, to consider a career in family law or to be a legal volunteer. I don’t know how I inspire others, but I believe in honour, courage, integrity and equality for all of us. I hope that most of us have the same beliefs.I believe that despite the daily dross it is a privilege to practise law. It is a calling first, business second, not the other way around.

What is much more inspiring to me and truly humbling in every way is that some little germ of information from me has caused others to try hard, harder than they have ever done, and achieved much more than they might ever have done or dreamt of doing.

Thank you Rob for your kind, kind words. I wish you well on your personal and professional voyages. You will go far, I have no doubt.