Rob Shepherd

Partner

WorkCover

I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Bachelor of Laws at Monash University in 1998. I recall enrolling in Arts with an idea of studying psychology and ultimately becoming a psychologist, but for a reason lost in time I ended up majoring in philosophy and history and in fact did not undertake a single psychology subject during my entire degree. Like many people, I sort of fell into law, but, upon commencing the degree, I was pleasantly surprised to find that law was like philosophy - both essentially involve the study of the use and abuse of language.

Following my admission, I spent three years at Clements Hutchins & Co undertaking mostly plaintiff personal injury litigation. A lot of my files involved dog bites - which perhaps explains the absence of a dog at my residence. It was at this firm that I developed an interest in WorkCover statutory benefits, an interest which some of my less kind colleagues interpreted as a cry for help. In 2002 I changed hats - I will not specify to which colour - and made the leap to the defendant side, commencing employment at Middletons. In early 2003 part of the WorkCover department at Middletons merged with Wisewoulds and that is how I came to be at this great (and idiosyncratic) firm.

For the last five years my practise has centred on statutory benefits litigation, acting for both the Victorian WorkCover Authority and self-insurers. I enjoy the challenge of interpreting and applying an often ambiguous piece of legislation to messy factual situations. The supportive and, dare I say it, fun atmosphere of this firm has been the perfect environment in which to hone my legal skills.