Alumni spotlight

Victor Hugo General Counsel – Television, Network Ten Australia At Deacons from 1989 to 2006

A conversation with Deacons' Alumni, Victor Hugo

Deacons' Alumni Coordinator, Melanie Pitulej caught up with Victor Hugo, a long-serving Deacons' partner who made the move last year to join Network Ten in the role of General Counsel. Read on to learn about Victor's advice for young lawyers, his decision to go "in-house" and his penchant for classic cars...

Your time at Deacons

Q: During what period were you with Deacons?

One month shy of 17 years - I started as a new graduate in 1989. At that time the firm had just changed from Sly & Russell to Sly & Weigall. I also saw the firm called Deacons Graham & James before it finally became Deacons.

Q: How would you describe your time at Deacons, perhaps the people you worked with, and/or the type of work you were doing?

The reason I stayed for 17 years is that I really enjoyed myself. I developed as a solicitor, progressing to senior associate and then partnership with good variety and quality of work. I really enjoyed working for most of my clients!

Q: What would you say was your greatest achievement while you were with the Firm?

Making partnership - being a "home grown" partner was good. Also working on some very significant acquisition transactions - which I enjoyed seeing through from start to finish.

Your thoughts about being a lawyer

Q: Before you practiced law, was it always something you thought would be a life-long career, or did you have other ideas and aspirations?

Every since my family doctor talked me out of doing medicine! The funny thing is he sent his son to do work experience with me at Deacons but didn't manage to talk him out of it - he is now a qualified doctor and is studying to be an ophthalmologist!

Since high school I always wanted to get into the business world - I completed an economics/law degree. Both areas always interested me.

Q: What was your motivation for becoming a lawyer?

I really enjoyed the idea of being involved in the transactional work.

Q: What has been the most valuable skill you learned while practicing law?

Thinking through the consequences of a transaction, considering both the end result the client is looking for as well as the potential minefield that need to be waded through.

Your current occupation, goals and ambitions

Q: What were the driving forces in changing your focus, or shaping your career?

When not doing M&A work, a lot of the work I did was general commercial - that work was drying up due to clients forming larger in house legal teams - the bottom line I always say is if you can't beat them join them! The opportunity arose to go into a general counsel position with Network Ten and it was too interesting to pass up. I wouldn't have left Deacons for a lesser role with a lesser company.

Q: What are the biggest challenges of your current role?

Learning all aspects of the industry - things that I wasn't involved with at Deacons. I have to be across the full range of legal issues as opposed to just the corporate and commercial ones I used to focus on at Deacons - I need to be across a number of other areas including workplace relations, OHS, defamation and contempt and insurance litigation. We utilise the resources of external law firms as needed but need to more aware of other issues that I was at Deacons.

Q: Do you have any advice or interesting views on setting goals to achieve your business or personal ambitions?

Take the time to set them and review them regularly. Network Ten conducts a mentoring program for school students and I just attended a "Goals Completion Ceremony" last night. It was interesting to see how assisting a student in goal setting can also help your own personal development. Goal setting is something you should never stop doing.

Your interests and achievements

Whether it's marathon-running, being a keen collector, your commitment to a high-profile cause, or anything in between, I would love to know something about your interests and achievements. You may not have a lot of spare time, but when you do......how do you spend it?

I am a firm believer in work life balance! I have always been interested in motorcycles and classic cars. I'm currently restoring a 1966 Mustang convertible - I have just finished one in dark blue - and the one I am doing now will be a metallic dark green. I am very into motor sport, an interest I share with another Deacons partner, Derek La Ferla. Being with Network Ten allows me to indulge my passion as I have the opportunity to attend the big racing events like the Grand Prix and Phillip Island.