Meet our Guest with Mia Schaumann

Portrait of Mia Schaumann

For this story of Meet our Guest, we interviewed an integral member of the Guest Work Agency team, Paralegal Mia Schaumann. With a background in fashion, Mia brings to her role that signature mix of creative and analytical skills that is at the heart of GWA.

You first completed a Bachelor of Fashion (Design)(Honours) at RMIT - one of Australia’s most prestigious fashion degrees - before embarking on a Juris Doctor (JD) in Law from Monash University. Why did you choose to change course and pursue law?

Finishing high school I was very torn between my creative and analytical sides. I began studying Arts at Melbourne University with the intention of doing law however I think I lasted about a month before realizing I needed to pursue design, which felt very impulsive at the time. I enrolled in the Bachelor of Fashion Design at RMIT where I studied for 4 years. Having always been a maker, studying fashion allowed me to test ideas and translate concepts into a tangible outcome. I was lucky enough to be able to do an exchange at Central Saint Martins, a design school in London, which exposed me to a more art-based approach to fashion design.

While I loved my time at RMIT and really threw myself into my studies, the industry never felt like the right fit for me. Though I ultimately made the move to law, through fashion I discovered my interest in conceptual problem solving, which I found both creative and rewarding. After freelancing for a while, I enrolled in the Juris Doctor (JD) program at Monash, so ultimately my journey came full circle!

Transitioning from being in the studio every day to coming into a highly academic setting was initially a bit of a culture shock. Though there was definitely a steep learning curve, I’ve really enjoyed the JD and feel much more comfortable in that setting now. Despite what many people believe, and though there are clear parameters, legal problem solving is often incredibly creative.

While completing your JD you’ve been a Paralegal with GWA for almost two years now. How have you managed the juggle between work and study?

I got my first café job at 13, which when looking back seems ridiculous because I could barely carry two coffees simultaneously. Though working and studying was not new to me, it has been challenging balancing the JD and work, especially during the demanding assignment and exam periods. It ultimately comes down to good time management and communication. Alana, having gone through the chaos of law school herself, has been incredibly supportive, allowing me to take time off when its needed. I have been very fortunate in that regard. 

Working at GWA has been such an incredible experience and I am very grateful to have found a workplace that mirrors my interests. Though the juggling act can at times be challenging, being able to apply the skills I learn in the JD has been rewarding.

What have been some of the most memorable matters or projects you have worked on at GWA?

I have been fortunate enough to work on a range of different matters during my time at GWA. I really enjoy legal research, specifically emerging technologies, and have developed my skills working on various projects over the last (almost) two years. Lately I have been researching the use of artificial intelligence in the context of the law. Whether it be for the Serpentine or the Intellectual Property Law Bulletin, or our quarterly Art Case Updates, it is always rewarding to see how the research is applied. 

I have also really enjoyed assisting with the Collingwood Yards pro bono legal service that GWA offers to its residents. Though I chose to study law with the intention of being able to help people, you don’t get that type of experience from inside the classroom. Assisting with this service has given me a real insight into how legal advice is delivered in practice.

Tell us more about your post-study career aspirations.

I am planning to finish up with my JD around next July. It feels very surreal to be nearing the end of my studies after such a long stretch. After finishing my studies I will need to undertake my practical legal training, which is the final hurdle before I become a qualified lawyer. As an end goal, I hoping to work in the intellectual property or privacy space (fingers crossed).

What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in a specialised area of legal practice like art law?

For anyone who is interested in both design and law, or any hybrid skill set for that matter, I would always suggest to pursue the creative path first. For me, doing fashion prior to law has really anchored my interest in the law. It has allowed me to think laterally when it comes to both identifying and resolving legal issues, a vantage point which I would not have gotten otherwise. Coming to law as a mature age student, with some experience under my belt, has also been invaluable. With age your understanding and worldview naturally becomes richer, which enables you to engage with the subject matter in a more meaningful way. 

Though I have had to constantly substantiate my unconventional path to the law, having the ability harness two disparate skillsets has been incredibly beneficial. Looking back I would not have done it differently and would recommend it to anyone who is thinking of taking a similar route.  

What kinds of things you enjoy doing aside from work and study?

Outside work and study, I try and spend as much time as I can outdoors. I am an avid hiker and try to plan a few big multi-day hikes throughout the year. Hiking gives me the ability to decompress and spend time in nature with friends. I have recently bought myself a new bike so I am hoping to do some bike packing over the summer too.