Meet Our Guest With Lily Kruglova

Image: Portrait of Lily Kruglova in London. Courtesy of Lily Kruglova.

For this edition of Meet our Guest, we turn the spotlight inward, to one of our own, Paralegal Lily Kruglova. Soon to complete her Juris Doctor at The University of Melbourne, Lily brings together legal insight and a lifelong love of art, reflecting the very intersection at which Guest Work Agency operates.

At GWA, paralegals are more than legal support. Our boutique structure offers an alternative to traditional big law, giving law students like Lily the opportunity to develop deep expertise across art, luxury and technology from day one.

Tell us about your studies. Why did you choose to undertake a JD (Juris Doctorate)? What inspired you to study law?

Before applying to law school, I worked in marketing, which was such a valuable experience. It taught me a lot about how businesses operate, how to communicate effectively, and how to stay grounded in a fast-paced environment. But after a while, I realised I wanted to do something that felt a little more meaningful, where I could make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

That’s what drew me to law. I’ve always been interested in understanding how systems shape our society, and I love problem-solving – breaking down complex issues and finding practical, fair solutions. The JD felt like the perfect way to bring those interests together and to build a career that balances logic, creativity, and impact.

You’ve been with GWA for a little bit over a year now. What are some of the most exciting matters or projects you are working on?

One of the most memorable projects – though not strictly legal – was a cataloguing project we completed for a client with an extensive collection of art, design, and sculpture. It was so rewarding to do some “field work” and see how these incredible pieces lived within everyday spaces.

That same month, I attended the Melbourne Art Fair, which was a real highlight, seeing so many of the galleries and artists we work with represented in one place was extremely exciting.

On the legal side, I’ve been fortunate to work on a range of matters. I particularly enjoy doing legal research, especially around AI and copyright protection, and the evolving issues of personality rights and one’s likeness. Another standout was researching Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in the Australian art market for GWA’s contribution to the Center for Art Law’s 2025 Study. It was an interesting deep dive into an area that’s both niche but at the same time becoming more and more important.

How have you managed the juggle between work and study?

Balancing the JD with work definitely hasn’t been easy, there have been plenty of late nights and high-stress moments during exams and big assignments. But having a workplace that genuinely understands what that’s like has made all the difference. Alana went through law school herself, so she’s always been incredibly understanding and encouraging whenever I’ve needed to take a step back. I honestly feel so lucky to have that kind of support and understanding.

What kinds of things do you enjoy doing aside from work and study?

Naturally, I love visiting art exhibitions and museums. I’m currently based in London on a semester exchange, which has been an incredible opportunity to experience the city’s rich art scene and meet artists and curators from around the world.

Most recently, I attended the Visual Art Open Finalist Exhibition, where both artists and curators spoke about their work and the creative process behind the show. It’s moments like those, hearing about art directly from the people who make and shape it, that remind me why I love this field so much.

Tell us more about your post-study career aspirations.

I’ll be finishing my JD next month, which feels both exciting and a little bit daunting after such an all-consuming three years of study! Being on exchange here in London has been an incredible experience.  Besides studying fascinating subjects taught by professors from all over the world, I think the most valuable part has been meeting students, who have now become my friends, with such diverse aspirations, goals, and ideas, all deeply passionate about what they want to do. At Melbourne Law School, it can sometimes feel like there are limited paths for students after graduation, but being here in London has shown me just how many other opportunities and directions there are to explore, and has made everything seem possible. Once I complete my degree, I’ll move on to practical legal training, the final step before becoming a qualified lawyer.

Looking further ahead, I’m really interested in exploring areas like cultural heritage protection and art crime, and who knows – maybe one day I’ll even open my own gallery! It’s exciting to think about all the different paths that could follow.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in a specialised area of legal practice like art law?

The beauty and the challenge of this field is that it’s small. Opportunities are limited, but that also means your goals can be clear and focused. My advice would be, don’t get discouraged if opportunities take time to happen. Keep working towards your goals, if it is something you really want.

And while art law might sound glamorous (and it often is!), it’s still grounded in commercial law at its core. If you love the buzz of transactional work and want to bring creativity into that world, you’ll find this space incredibly rewarding.

We’re grateful to Lily for sharing her insights and experiences. Stay tuned for more conversations with GWA clients and colleagues in the art and collectibles space.