Lydia Moore has always called the South Coast home, and she treasures how it has shaped both her career and personal life. Raised on a historic property in Terara, Lydia is the fourth generation of her family to grow up in that home, which has instilled in her a deep-rooted connection to the area.
While attending St. John’s High School in Nowra, Lydia’s interest in law was sparked by an inspiring legal studies teacher. This encouragement led her to consider a career in law, despite not having a family background in the profession. Lydia took the opportunity to stay local, commuting from the South Coast to the University of Wollongong for four years, where she balanced her studies with gaining practical work experience. This exposure helped her explore the various specialties and career paths available within the legal field.
After graduating, Lydia began her career in a generalist legal role, which allowed her to interact directly with clients early on—a rare opportunity compared to lawyers in larger cities like Sydney, where it can take years to manage one’s own clients and cases. “It’s not something many lawyers in Sydney experience,” Lydia explained. “There, it can take a long time before you even get to interact with clients or manage your own files. The regional opportunities allowed me to do this early on.”
As she gained more experience, Lydia recognised the value of specialising in a particular area of law. Being a self-described perfectionist, she appreciated the chance to refine her expertise and provide clients with specialised advice. She chose family law, a field that allowed her to combine knowledge in commercial, property, and estate law while supporting clients during emotionally challenging and complex situations. “I really enjoy seeing the direct impact I can have on someone’s life,” Lydia said.
Eighteen months ago, Lydia embraced a new opportunity to join Carter Ferguson Lawyers, where she now works across multiple offices, including Nowra, Berry, Kiama, and Gerringong. “I love moving between offices because each has its own unique atmosphere, and I get to collaborate with different team members daily,” she shared. Despite the firm’s regional presence, it maintains a close-knit, small-firm feel. “There’s no pressure to be the last one to leave or to stay after the boss has gone. In fact, leaving on time is encouraged, unlike the expectations often found in city firms.”
Lydia‘s story highlights the abundance of opportunities for lawyers and other professionals on the South Coast.
