Behind the Scenes: A Conversation with Michael Curtain

Michael Curtain is a sole director at Verhoeven & Curtain Solicitors, a small country firm in Moe specialising in wills and estates, conveyancing and commercial law. The firm consists of 1 lawyer, Michael, and 6 staff, including secretaries with over 30 years of experience. Michael read law at Monash University, Class of `86. Michael is a husband and a father of 3, who says he dislikes but secretly is fond of their cat, Coco Chanel. You can seek Michael Curtain's services at www.vcmoe.com.au. 

Hi Michael, thank you for coming down from Moe to have a chat with me! Could you share a little bit about your journey going through law school?

I've wanted to be a lawyer since I was 12 years old. When it came to applying for university, I almost gave up my dream because I was not accepted to Law. However, I was advised to enrol in the Arts faculty and transfer to Law at the end of my first year of university, which I did.

Once in Law school, I was struggling. I was barely passing the first year units and almost failed Contract Law. I knew I had to make a change, and over the summer holidays I revamped my study techniques. I adopted a note taking strategy - I took notes on one half of the page during class, rewrote them on the other half of the page in red as soon as possible after lecture, and then rewrote and boiled down again a week later. This way, I ended up with very short comprehensive notes that I had a very in depth understanding of. I came back to Year 2 getting Credits. This definitely boosted my morale. I was eventually getting Distinction's and so on. My best tip is to work out who the best lecturers are for each unit - this makes a huge difference to your study experience.

What was your experience in the earlier years of your career?

During law school, I didn't want to be corralled into any specific areas of practice. But, I knew that I did not want to work in Melbourne. After graduation, I applied to a bunch of law firms in Victoria, including Moe - I had never heard of Moe before. I was offered a position at a law firm run by 5 young lawyers in their 30s who were very progressive.

One of the best features of practising law in the country, at least at that time, was that we practised in most areas. Being at a very progressive firm, the partners of the firm let me try everything. I learned that I did not like family law, and while I was good at criminal law, I did not enjoy working in it. Representing clients in civil court appearances for car accidents made me learn that it required me to be able to think on my feet. I started at this firm being paid half of the normal wages - it was the way the firm could have afforded to put me in all the areas. Once I was admitted to practice, wages went up. One of the best things about this firm was that they were not into ripping people off. They looked at the result and the client, and considered what they could afford. This is a principle I have tried to carry through my legal life.

I stayed with this firm for 5 years, before they merged with a bigger Melbourne firm. The Melbourne firm they had merged with was more money conscious - business driven and not client driven. Unhappy with the wage situation - people in the other firm were paid more, and the Melbourne firm did not agree with wage equality - I left briefly to work in another firm. However, pastures were not greener on the other side. My employer had a different side to himself, to clients and to employees. I tried to put up with this for the higher wage. In 1 year, I returned back to the old firm, like the prodigal son.

Big firms don't last in the country. The peacock syndrome - all the bosses wanted to peacock. The firm ended up disintegrating. John Verhoeven, one of the original partners of the firm in Moe, approached me with a proposal to start a partnership. John was the lighthouse of the firm, very clever and charismatic. The partnership started in 1993, and made it to 2019. I have since been running the firm myself.

Do you enjoy what you do currently?

Oh, I love it! The difference between being the boss and being an employee is that you can choose what areas you do, what areas you don't do and who you work with. In a partnership, you have some freedom, but you still have to consult and get agreement from someone else. I mostly enjoy having a firm on my own.

But of course, it's stressful. Compared to the constant bustle in the City, in the country, the stresses come and go in waves. But it isn't just about being a lawyer. It's really hard managing work, family and kids. I'd have a little bit of a drink to take my mind off. But, when I couldn't wait for 5 o'clock to go home and get a glass of wine, I know it's not a good sign.

It's really important to be able to share your problems. Not just with anyone, but specifically with other lawyers. One of the biggest problems as a lawyer is being afraid to share your problems with others, if it will be used against you. But if you have someone you can trust that this won't go beyond the 4 walls, it is really helpful. You're not looking for solutions most of the time, you just need to share - with someone who understands and is in a similar position as you.

Another way I cope is by playing squash. I could really give that ball a belting! It was great for really getting out some horrible days. But, recently, it has been hard to play with my health.

What's some advice you'd give to law students?

Some words of wisdom for the young:

Don't get pigeonholed into a specific area. If you are able to, get to try as much experience as you can in as many areas as you can as a young lawyer.

Consider the country. Some country firms are drying up because industries are leaving the area - I'm the last full time solicitor in Moe. Young lawyers always want to get back to Melbourne for the bigger money but it is cheaper to live in the country, a less stressful lifestyle and a lot more to do and see after work if you like the mountains and the sea.. City firms are focused on getting maximum value from their young lawyers and expect hours that are unmaintainable in the long run.

Law has been getting worse and worse regarding the cost of civil litigation.  A Magistrates Court contract dispute when I started would cost the client $800 to $1,000.  Now it would cost $13,000 -$20,000.  Most people cannot afford the risk to litigate.  Especially when the amount might double if they lose.  It is too expensive - it seems only the well off can afford it.  VCAT is a great idea to make it affordable but it is now so clogged with backlog it cannot manage the quantity.

Thank you for providing your time and thoughtful responses Michael. Take care and good luck with your future endeavours!

Interview conducted and transcribed by Nisha Thanabal