Jacqui Brauman, principal solicitor at TBA Law based in Nagambie, Romsey and Wallan, has won the 2019 Law Institute of Victoria’s legal award in the category of Regional Lawyer of the Year on Friday 17 May
Outstanding achievements in the legal profession were recognised through the presentation of 18 awards at the Victorian Legal Awards gala dinner. Being one of three finalists, Brauman prepared her acceptance speech with a view of promoting a tree change and working in the Nagambie region in particular.
Brauman was public school educated, originally from Wangaratta, and had to work full time to put herself through law school. She worked in Seymour, Wagga Wagga and Sydney, before returning to Nagambie to build her own law firm. In Sydney, she experienced sexual discrimination and physical violence in her workplace, which is why she wanted to create a safe working environment for other female solicitors. She also experienced a $60,000 pay difference between herself and a male colleague of the same qualification and seniority. Now, TBA Law has primarily female professionals, with male support staff, which is the reverse of the usual model in regional firms.
Since running her business, Brauman has also completed her Masters degree in applied law, and successfully completed the 12 month process to become a Law Institute of Victoria accredited specialist in the area of wills and estates. Brauman has written three legal books In Case of Emergency, Death and Social Media and The Sandwich Generation, and has recently launched a podcast called IQ meets EQ.
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