Six minutes with Belinda Wong
Catch up with Belinda Wong, a construction lawyer with a few different hats.
We often only know one part of a person, their job. We are catching up with people from across the profession to show a different side to them and hear more about what drives them.
If you know someone who should be interviewed, send us an email suggesting them at periodical@pidsoc.org.au
Belinda Wong wears a few hats. Outside of day-to-day practice, she is the National Vice-President of the Asian Australian Lawyers Association and sits on the board of Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Inc. She is also a member of the WA committees of the Lighthouse Club and the Society of Construction Law Australia and is a co-opted committee member of Women Lawyers of Western Australia.
Belinda is currently Corporate Counsel at Laing O’Rourke with responsibility for administering all legal aspects of the MetCONNX Project. Previously, Belinda was Special Counsel at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, practising in the areas of construction and major projects.
She has accumulated over 16 years’ experience acting for multinational and national entities in a range of disputes, including complex international and local arbitrations, large-scale litigation and adjudications under Security of Payment legislation.
In 2023, Belinda was awarded Woman Lawyer of the Year by Women Lawyers of Western Australia as well as the Stantec Diversity and Inclusion Award by the National Association of Women in Construction. She was also a finalist for the Law Society of Western Australia’s Lawyer of the Year.
What motivates you?
The pursuit of equality of opportunity. I believe that every individual deserves a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. I aim to break barriers and demonstrate what can be achieved for the next generation by holding myself to high standards and pursuing avenues inside and outside of my work as a lawyer to foster diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession and the general community.
How do you start your day?
Usually being pounced on by two cats demanding attention and their breakfast!
What was your first job?
A medical receptionist. My family were hoping that would lead into a career as a doctor but it did the opposite!
What was the best advice you have been given?
It’s hard to pick the best advice so I’ll go with two recent quotes that have resonated with me:
‘Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.’ — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
‘If you have an advantage, you don’t hoard it. You share it. You reach out. You give back.’ — Michelle Obama
What is a case you think more lawyers should read?
MT Hojgaard A/S v E.ON Climate and Renewables UK Robin Rigg East Limited [2017] UKSC 59. There’s just something about this case on design standards and wind farms that I find fascinating as a construction/energy and resources lawyer — the idea of a whole windfarm being at risk of toppling over really conjures up a striking image. The lead up, with successive decisions being set aside, fosters a real sense of suspense! You can stream it on the UK Supreme Court’s YouTube account.
What has changed most in your work since you started?
I’ve seen an increase in diversity across the profession and greater recognition that a diverse profession benefits access to, and the administration of, justice. It’s definitely a community where more people see themselves reflected at the higher levels now and the warm response to the change is so amazing to see.
