Louise Camenzuli graduated from Sydney Law School in 2002 before embarking on a career in environment and planning law. Over the course of her professional journey, she has built an impressive career at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, working across major infrastructure, energy transition and sustainability projects, and rising to become National Head of Environment and Planning as well as leading the firm’s Climate Change and Sustainability team.
We sat down with Louise to chat about her experience.
What’s your favourite memory from your time at Sydney Law School?
Playing Air Hockey with my very good friend Anthony Jreige (now Partner at HWL Ebsworth) and my Biodiversity Law course with the Hon. Brian Preston (now Chief Judge of the NSW Land and Environment Court).
Can you give us a brief snapshot of your career journey from graduation to now?
Following my undergraduate degree, I obtained a clerkship at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. I spent my paralegal days on secondment at the (then) Roads and Traffic Authority (now Transport for NSW) and then went on to settle at Corrs in the Environment and Planning team. I decided to go back to the University of Sydney and undertake a Masters of Law (with a focus on environmental law studies), but ended up converting the degree to a doctorate, under the supervision of Professor Ben Boer and Tim Stephens.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to travel to South America, Paris and Amsterdam for work and all across Australia, as well as being seconded to other organisations, such as the NBN Authority.
I was made Partner at 32 and today I am the National Head of Environment and Planning at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, as well as Head of our Climate Change and Sustainability team as part of our ESG and Responsible Business unit.
I have had the very good fortune of working across a wide range of projects across the country and can honestly say, it’s never been a better time to be a lawyer working in planning and environment law – the pace of change, the opportunities to advise on innovative projects and to be part of delivering better communities and a more sustainable future is incredibly rewarding.
It’s never been a better time to be a lawyer working in planning and environment law
Louise Camenzuli
Class of 2002 (Bachelor of Economics (Social Science)/Law (First Class Hons), Class of 2010 (Doctor of Juridical Studies)
What’s one thing you love about the work you’re doing now?
I love the tangible nature of planning and environment law and the fact that I am able to act as a litigator, provide advice and act on transactions, which calls for an unusual cross-section of skills. My job means I get to travel to many places Australia-wide, including weird and wonderful parts of rural Australia, meet many talented and interesting people, and play a part in the energy transition and the delivery of significant infrastructure and housing.
What’s your top tip for current law students?
Find an area of law you enjoy and stick with it. Say “yes” more than you say “no” to all opportunities that come your way. Be relentless in your pursuit of producing high quality work and outcomes for your clients. Always be a team player.