Five minutes with Murray Shume

Murray Shume, associate in our commercial team, has worked with Cooper Grace Ward for almost four years. We asked him to tell us in his own words what life at Cooper Grace Ward is like, and a few of his past experiences and favourite things.

1. What made you decide to become a lawyer?

I was a late starter in the law, so I like to think that becoming a lawyer was my mid-life crisis, which was safer (and more boring) than buying a motor bike.

2. How long have you worked at Cooper Grace Ward for and what brought you to that position?

I have worked at CGW for four years this August and time has flown. This was a big decision for me. Before I joined CGW I:

• lived in another state (NSW  – go the mighty Blues); and

• worked for at the Australian Taxation Office (the dark side).

Why the move? I did not become a lawyer to work for the ATO. I had also dealt with CGW during my time at the tax office and was impressed.

3. If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive who would they be and why?

Keith Miller – a great cricketer who did not take himself too seriously.

Jimi Hendrix – I would love to get some guitar tips.

Oscar Wilde – I think that he would have been a very funny guy to have around.

4. Where’s the best place to go for a drink or dinner after work?

I have four children so don’t get out much, but recently I went with some mates to the Green Beacon Brewing Co. in Newstead. The beers were great.

I also love the dumplings at the New Shanghai.

5. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

I cannot remember the exact words but it went something like:

What’s the worst thing that can happen if you fail? You just feel bad for yourself. Whereas if you never try, you will never succeed.

6. Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?

I am a bit of a sports tragic, so love watching sport.

I also love playing the guitar. I was in couple of bands when I was younger and still love playing when I get the chance.

I also like to cook and have recently got into baking different types of bread.

7. Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…

If I was not a lawyer I would probably still be a teacher although I would hope that I was a musician or something really creative like that.

8. What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in Australia in 2016?

Predominately practising in tax, I think that the biggest issue at the moment is the uncertainty around government tax policy.