Taylor Zhao

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into law?

TZ: I’m born and bred in Sydney. I studied a combined degree in law and communications, majoring in media arts and production.

I started as a paralegal at a large Sydney law firm and, while studying, was selected for the firm’s grad programme in Melbourne. I moved there for a few years, it was a great experience. I didn’t know anyone, but the grad group meant I made great friends and I still keep in touch with many of them, we’re even going to each other’s weddings. That’s how I got into law.

Outside of work, what helps you switch off and recharge?

TZ: I love going for a weekend away with my partner and my labradoodle, Doobie. We’ll go somewhere near the ocean or in the mountains; anywhere in nature where I can properly switch off. I find it really rejuvenating to be off grid.

I’m also trying to pick up tennis again after about 15 years, which has been extremely challenging. I’ve been doing a bit of pickleball too, but my tennis coach says that’s a bit of a cop out.

Can you tell me about your time studying law in Australia and the summer program at Cardozo School of Law?

TZ: I went to UTS and I really believe you have to buy into the culture, so I got involved in everything, including first-year camp and the law society.

The combined degree was a great experience, it gave me a break from pure law and let me bring disciplines together. I took electives like media law and sports law, and it was really fun.

New York was also fantastic. I did the summer programme early on and met a wide range of lawyers, plus organisations like the Innocence Project. I also met people from all over the world. It was my first taste of the legal network, and the advice about staying in touch has definitely proved true.

What motivates you to do your best work each day?

TZ: I have a great manager who’s also a mentor, and there’s a lot of autonomy in the role.

The work is fast-paced and exciting, which keeps me on my toes. We also work on large transactions, often with the same people, so it’s satisfying to build trust over time and maintain those relationships.

What attracted you to banking and finance law in particular?

TZ: I’m a people person, and banking is hugely relationship driven. I didn’t know much about it before I got into the space, and I hadn’t done business law or commerce at school.

As a grad, being on the phone with the other side, chasing CPs, was fast paced but also meant working with the same people again and again. You’re all pushing towards the same goal, getting the deal done, which suits my type A personality.

Having autonomy early on, and senior lawyers trusting you to take carriage of a matter, was a big part of what kept me in the space.

What motivated your move from private practice into an in-house role at GLAS?

TZ: I wanted more commercial experience.

In private practice you’re often working on similar matters from a fairly narrow perspective, whereas in-house you’re advising different teams across the business and thinking about the wider impact over time. That broader lens was important to me.

I was also looking for a bit more work-life balance. The timing was right to make the move, and I’m really glad I did, especially at the level I came in at.

Can you describe your role as Legal Counsel at GLAS and what a typical day looks like?

TZ: No day is the same. Most days we work on deals, reviewing transaction documents for loan financings, or problem-solving a BAU matter. I’m on the phone a lot; I like Teams, but calls make it much easier to workshop things and talk through escalations. We also sometimes catch up for coffees with external lawyers, and there’s a bit of BD involved too.

This combination of reliability, enthusiasm and flexibility allows us to contribute effectively while maintaining high standards. That spirit of commitment is something we’re proud to share with the wider GLAS network.

How does working in-house at GLAS differ from your experience in law firms?

TZ: Being commercial is a huge priority. We work closely with Transaction Management and Client Service teams, so you need a broader understanding of the deal. You’re thinking about timing and how payments are processed, which I didn’t necessarily see in private practice once a deal closed.

We’re also a service provider, so being responsive and maintaining service levels is key.

And as part of a global organisation with offices worldwide, our reputation really matters.

What do you enjoy most about working at GLAS?

TZ: It’s definitely the people. In the Australian office you still work with everyone. We work closely with all the transaction managers and touch base with the client services team too. There’s always a buzz, whether we’re workshopping a deal or talking to BD about upcoming events.

I also really enjoy the work. As our market share grows, we’re seeing larger transactions, it feels like we’re close to the front of what’s happening in the market.

What skills or qualities are most important for succeeding as an in-house lawyer?

TZ: Communication and relationship building are huge. You also need to be adaptable and commercially aware. You can be an excellent technical lawyer, but without strong communication it’s hard to do the job well, because so much of it is managing expectations internally and externally.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced at GLAS that helped you grow professionally?

TZ: We often operate on fast timeframes, with things to process on short notice.

One challenging situation was a new deal where we were asked to structure something very bespoke. It meant late hours, and we had to be able to say no but still find a workable solution. I ended up collaborating with UK teams, including due diligence and local counsel, which I wouldn’t normally deal with. It reminded me how problem-solving my job is. You don’t have to have all the answers; it’s about working out how to get to the solution and thinking on your feet.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting out in a legal career today?

TZ: The big one is to get used to being uncomfortable, and not to take things personally. It also really helps to anticipate what the person you’re working with will need next. Take a top-down view of where you are on the deal and prepare for the next step before someone asks.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in your career at GLAS?

TZ: I’m excited about the growth of our team. We’ve just had someone join us, so we’re now four, and I’m keen to get involved in larger deals and more complex restructurings as we take up more market share in the region.

We’ve expanded into a few regions since I started, so I’m hoping to collaborate more with those offices too.

AI is also changing the way we work, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use it, make it work for us, and help shape how we can be more efficient in delivering our services.