FIVE MINUTES WITH... JONATHAN MAMARIL

EMPLOYMENT and commercial lawyer Jonathan Mamaril is principal and director of NB Lawyers, specialising in the dynamic space of enterprise agreements, collective bargaining and interpretation of Modern Awards.

He has been a long champion of unfair dismissal cases from the conciliation stage right through to dealing with the Fair Work Commission, with prior experience working for a trade union as industrial officer, and a mid-tier Brisbane-based law firm. 

The Fair Work Commission, Queensland Industrial Relations Commission and the Federal Circuit Court are Mamaril's regular clients.

I was admitted on... 11 December 2008

I have lived and worked... in Brisbane my whole professional life. I love it and will and continue to do so. I have worked in the legal profession for almost seven years.

My colleagues would say... I believe (and hope) they would think that I provide practical legal advice to my clients and attempt to provide constructive solutions to their problems.

My favourite meal is... spaghetti bolognese.

Working as a lawyer is... a genuine joy. To be the expert that clients rely upon to help grow the business or solve a problematic issue. Being a lawyer gives me an opportunity work with great people, colleagues who are at the top of their field and clients with exciting ideas, strategies and growth projects going forward.

If I wasn't a lawyer... I would have loved to have been a professional basketball or football player - if I had the talent, skill and genes. 

If I wasn't in Brisbane... I would live in Northern Ireland. My wife is from there, so it would be a place I would love to work. The people are very friendly and there are some great opportunities for astute people with good, solid business plans and ideas.

I've always wished I could... take myself and the family for a round the world trip. One day this is going to happen.

My music collection... is quite conservative. I like country music such as Lonestar and Tim McGraw and all the 90's music that I grew up with. 

I'm currently reading... a fascinating autobiography by a unique Swedish football star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 'I am Zlatan'.

I couldn't live without... my family. They mean the world to me.  My wife and I recently had our first child.  Lily is only 7 months old and really is the apple of her Daddy's eye.

My first job... was a tennis coach at my old primary school.  I really enjoyed (and still do) teaching kids and mentoring kids.

My greatest inspiration is... my father. My parents immigrated from the Philippines around 25 years ago and he was prepared to work lower paying jobs until he was recognised in his trade.  That grit, determination and work ethic is something I believe he has instilled in me and those values continue to stay with me in my professional life as I transition to being a Principal.

My last $100 would go towards... it's a hard one, but potentially a half decent bottle of single malt scotch or Irish whisky.