JCL Law Partners Director, Adrian Robins, featured as one of the IR Global network’s June member spotlights. Read the full piece below:
Adrian Robins, a Director at Brisbane-based JCL Law Partners, has built a career defined by calm amidst conflict. He balances leadership, strategy, and deep legal expertise to support clients through high-stakes commercial litigation.
“I’m responsible for managing the practice, supervising staff, and overseeing the legal work alongside Jim (Conomos),” he says. “But at its core, my role is about resolving disputes and helping people find clarity in difficult circumstances.”
With over 17 years at the firm and 20 in legal practice, Adrian has seen the firm evolve – and personally, he’s held nearly every title going. “I started here as a solicitor, moved through associate, senior associate, salaried partner, and eventually director,” he explains.
The road from Sydney to Brisbane (and into litigation and insolvency)
Adrian’s career in law began in a niche area as a legal costs consultant. “That was just something I did after I’d finished university, in part because I didn’t know what I wanted to do,” he laughs.
The role gave him broad exposure to many areas of legal practice and insight into how firms operate behind the scenes. It also helped him quickly identify the practice areas he was most drawn to: commercial litigation and insolvency: “It was the sort of work that interested me the most and was most suited to my personality and skill set.”
Originally from Sydney, Adrian relocated to Brisbane through a short-term opportunity with a former firm. “It was meant to be just a bit of an adventure,” he says. “I very quickly found that Brisbane was a lot easier and a lot cheaper to live in than Sydney.”
What was supposed to be a one-year secondment turned into a long-term career and a life built in Queensland at what was then known as James Conomos Lawyers.
“Even when I was in my twenties, 17 years at a firm was exceptional. It wasn’t the norm. It just happened, I’ve enjoyed working here and with the people I’ve worked with.”
No two days alike
As a commercial litigator, Adrian is drawn to the variety and intellectual challenge of his work. “The beauty of commercial litigation is there’s no typical workday,” he says, “the litigation is the mechanics of what you do, but the subject matter varies markedly between matters.”
His role as a Director also includes supervising legal staff, managing client relationships, and overseeing strategic decisions at the firm. “There’s more responsibility for the day-to-day management of the practice,” he explains. “More of a strategic focus, I suppose.”
Despite holding a senior leadership role, Adrian continues to remain closely involved in legal matters. “I think everybody finds this, but when things get busy, you revert to type – you just knuckle down and get it done,” he explains.
In addition to court appearances, he frequently spends time advising clients, preparing for mediations, and managing complex disputes. “It could well be a whole day of conferring with clients and client meetings,” he says. “It could be a day in court or in mediation.”
However, court appearances are less frequent than many people assume: “You don’t spend as much time in court as people think. A lot of the work is preparing for court; putting your clients in the best position for when the time comes.”
Adrian’s day-to-day work also includes mentoring junior staff and ensuring the firm remains efficient and client-focused. “Not being the person doing as much of the grunt work, but trying to delegate and lead,” he adds. “It can be hard, though, particularly when the team is busy, because you often have to jump back in and do the work yourself, just to keep things moving.”
Finding purpose in people, not just the courtroom
Though he’s had his share of court victories, Adrian finds the greatest satisfaction in helping clients find peace during stressful times.
“As a litigator, one of the most satisfying things is when you have a matter that goes all the way through to trial… and you get a written judgment. It completely vindicates your client’s position.”
But often, it’s the more intangible moments that matter most. “Sometimes you can actually visibly see when you’ve put a client at ease. When they come in, they’re worried, they’re stressed…if you resolve a proceeding at mediation… sometimes you can even see the relief on your client’s opponent’s face.”
Overcoming imposter syndrome and industry pressure
Adrian is open about the challenges he’s faced, particularly early in his career. “I had a sense that I struggled to be taken seriously by more senior practitioners,” he shares.
“I suspect that was probably more a function of some kind of imposter syndrome.”
Back then, it wasn’t uncommon for senior lawyers to ignore junior correspondence and only respond to partners. “You don’t know whether that’s just because they were in a hurry… or whether it was a deliberate thing.”
Another ongoing challenge is work-life balance. “I’ve lost track of the amount of family dinners I’ve missed during the week or concert tickets I’ve had to forego,” he admits.
Stressing the importance of finding a good balance as early as possible, he warns “if you don’t pay attention to it, your health and fitness can really suffer.”
It’s OK to not know the answer immediately
To young professionals experiencing self-doubt, Adrian offers a reassuring perspective.
“One of the best pieces of advice anyone ever gave me early on was a senior practitioner who said: ‘I’ve been doing this for 25 years and I still don’t know the answer.’” That stuck with him; learning never stops.
“What you manage to work out as a junior associate is probably just as good as what anybody else might know,” he adds.
He also stresses the value of community. “Joining professional associations, particularly those aimed at young professionals. It’s a good place to know that you’re not alone.”
His parting advice: “You just have to roll with the punches and keep proving yourself.”
Connecting through IR Global
Although Adrian is relatively new to IR Global, he’s already seen the benefits firsthand. “Several years ago, through IR Global, I was able to very quickly source somebody in New Zealand who could do the work for our client. Without IR Global, it would’ve taken a long time.”
He’s now preparing to attend his first IR Global conference in New Orleans. “It’s a long trip, so I want to make the most of it.”
Looking ahead, he’s also eager to tap into the network’s expertise around compliance. “Australia’s new anti-money laundering legislation comes into force next year, and New Zealand members, who’ve already had similar laws in place, will be a great resource for us.”
Preparing for the future, and embracing the unexpected
For now, Adrian sees the firm continuing on its current path, but keeping a close eye on how technology will continue to reshape legal practice. “In the 20 years I’ve been in practice, technology has had a significant impact,” he says.
“The buzzword at the moment is obviously AI, which is going to change things in ways that we can’t even imagine.”
He’s also watching blockchain developments. “Things like smart contracts and tokenisation, that also potentially has the ability to change the way that law is practiced.”
Adrian stresses the importance of staying current. “It’s not going to make litigators obsolete, but it will change the way we work.”
Swimming lessons and dinosaurs
Outside the legal world, Adrian’s life has shifted into a new phase: fatherhood. “Despite being in my mid-forties, we’ve got a three-year-old toddler. That’s my life outside of work at the moment,” he laughs, “swimming lessons and dinosaurs.”
Adrian’s other hobbies have included photography and attending live sporting and music events. “Just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I took up digital photography as a hobby, but unfortunately that has taken a back seat lately.”
Still, he’s embracing this time fully: “You never get that time back, he’s only going to be young once. He won’t always want to hang out with me, so I’m making the most of it now!”
