Plexus Engage Lawyer Spotlight: Jack Aleckson

Jack, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you decided to join Plexus as a legal secondee?

I was first introduced to Plexus while working in-house looking at the Plexus technology platform, Plexus Gateway for legal matter management, thinking it might be a good fit for the organisation and to help better manage legal matters.

When I was leaving that organisation, the Plexus team who I’d been speaking with introduced me to Plexus Engage and suggested that maybe I should come over and have a chat with their Legal Talent Manager.

At the time I got offered a role with a law firm and decided to do that instead. But after a short period, things changed and, so I took that as an opportunity to reach out to Plexus.

I’d really thought about what I wanted to do, and the industries that I wanted to work in, and why.

I really wanted to focus on going back in-house or exploring legal in the not-for-profit space as I felt it would be a really good opportunity to do something for good in the community.

I’d spoken with the Plexus Engage team on a Tuesday about what I was looking for and on Wednesday I’d received a call back telling me about an assignment with the Australian Red Cross in their Governance team (which was of great interest to me). They arranged for me to speak with the team on Thursday and by the next Monday I started my first secondment!

What are the advantages of becoming a Plexus Engage legal secondee?

Being a Plexus Engage legal secondee was good because it allowed me flexibility to look at different roles and gave me the opportunity to be able to get back into an in-house environment.

Initially I was in two minds about becoming a secondee because of the short-term arrangement, however the team reassured me that the Plexus team works really hard to find the right role for you.

They also continue working with you as things progress with your secondment. As your assignment comes towards an end the team will work with you to determine what you want to do next, if you want to take the time off for example, or assist you in moving into your next role and really finding something that suits what you are looking for.

In addition to the support the Plexus team provides, another thing that was appealing is that you're employed on a fixed basis with Plexus. You have access to sick leave and annual leave so it makes it a little bit more secure.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about becoming a secondee?

It's interesting because I was so against short term contracts at the start but it’s been really good so far. It gives you an opportunity to be exposed to a range of companies and roles.

What’s great about secondments is that you do get that flexibility. You can work from different places, work fixed days, fixed hours or if you want to travel - you can do that.

It’s really good for businesses too because they can get access to talent as and when needed ’for major contracts, events, leave or team changes.