This week the south west’s sole female managing law firm partner has been approved as a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Business Law.

She is one of just eight women with the accreditation in Victoria.

According to the Law Institute of Victoria the accreditation means Ms Giblin is recognised as having expertise in a particular area of law.

“It’s an industry accreditation,” Ms Giblin said, “Which means I’ve been approved and accredited by my peers as being a specialist in business law.”

After 24 years as a lawyer the graduate of two masters degrees also holds membership positions on sporting and academic boards and committees in the region yet Ms Giblin admits the latest recognition is particularly rewarding.

“Of all the things that I’ve done I’m actually quite proud of this because it is a peer-recognised accreditation,” she said.

“I have an amount of personal pride in this achievement, it’s not handed out lightly.”

“The word specialist comes with specific accreditation,”

The accreditation process, which included assessment tasks, interviews, a written exam, and several peer references, demonstrates Ms Giblin’s confidence in her chosen field.

“Anyone can be an expert but you must have gone through the process to be a specialist, the term is not taken lightly in the legal field.”

Her accreditation falls on the eve of her ten-year anniversary at Maddens Lawyers and marks two decades of carefully balancing work and family life.

“I don’t think there is any particular recipe. I’ve got a good husband,  great kids and I’m organised,” she said.

“I also accept that you don’t get it all, you have to make compromises, you have to be happy and settled in the compromises that you have to make.” 

The obvious question for Ms Giblin is what is next.

“I’m thinking about having a play with a PHD but I’m not sure if it’s an Everest that’s too high at the moment.”