For many in the legal profession, balancing a demanding career with family responsibilities is a challenge that requires careful planning, strategic choices and often a bit of courage. Phoebe Arcus SC (1997) has traversed this path with remarkable success, forging a career as a barrister while also being a mother to three children. Her approach underscores the critical roles of adaptability, self-advocacy, and fostering supportive mentors and environments that make it possible to excel in both arenas.
Phoebe’s journey in law began with an initial grounding in Arts/Law at UNSW, followed by a Master’s degree in law at NYU, where she immersed herself in intellectual property and legal philosophy. After her studies, she found herself at a crossroads, weighing academic pursuits against the lure of a corporate legal career. Then an invaluable one-year job as an Associate to the Hon. Justice Annabelle Bennett AC SC of the Federal Court of Australia opened the door to the world of the Bar. It was Justice Bennett who urged Phoebe to become a barrister at just 27 years of age.
Reflecting on her decision, she explains, ‘The Bar is one of the law’s best-kept secrets. It’s so much fun, and a fantastic career that pretty much every law student should consider.’
By choosing to go to the Bar at a young age, Phoebe inadvertently afforded herself enough time to have many intensive years of experience before her first child. At that point, she was in a position in her career to work flexibly if necessary. This control was instrumental in allowing her to take ‘extravagantly long’ maternity leave, and she found that ‘afterwards, I could come back with a bit more energy.’
It’s a balance she feels fortunate to have found, though she acknowledges the journey has not always been straightforward. A barrister’s workload can be relentless. Yet, as she presses through the night reviewing an expert report served at 2am before court the following day, Phoebe often remembers with a smile the admonitions of Ascham Headmistress Rowena Danziger: ‘Excessive self-pity is not constructive.’
Phoebe also reflects on the nature of building a successful career, emphasising the importance of dedication and commitment. She believes that: ‘you have to throw yourself deeply into something to generate a substantive option for yourself.’ This approach has been integral to her growth, guiding her through both the challenges and rewards of her legal journey. She admits ‘it was luck rather than strategy’ that initially led her down this path, but that same openness to the unexpected has enriched her career and personal life.
The experience of challenging herself professionally has also brought Phoebe a sense of satisfaction and excitement. ‘It’s exciting doing something that scares you a bit,’ she shared, reflecting on her motivation to continue growing within her field. She acknowledges that this approach, combined with the fulfillment she gains from her family, has contributed to a balanced and rewarding life. ‘I feel this is a full life for me,’ she said.
Phoebe ‘took silk’ in October this year. The appointment of a practitioner as Senior Counsel is a formidable honour, recognising only those practitioners whose skill, integrity, independence and standing in the profession justify an expectation on the part of the public and the judiciary that they will provide outstanding services to the administration of justice. She follows in the footsteps of another Ascham alumna, Justine Beaumont SC (1985), who is also a silk specialising in intellectual property and patents.
Reflecting on her career trajectory, Phoebe imparts advice to young women aspiring to careers in law: keep an open mind and seize unexpected opportunities. ‘Become a barrister’, she enthuses. Although she didn’t have a rigid career plan, staying flexible led to fulfilling experiences, including her mentorship under Justice Bennett and her unconventional yet rewarding decision to go to the Bar rather than corporate law.
For Phoebe, the combination of intellectual stimulation in patent and intellectual property law and a supportive professional environment has been foundational in crafting a successful career that integrates both her professional and personal goals. Through her journey, Phoebe has shown that it’s entirely possible to excel in law while remaining deeply engaged in family life.
Alexandra Wenderoth (Beer 1993)
Image: Phoebe Arcus SC (1997) and Michelle England SC
