Editing Andrew Inglis Clark (section)

==Early legal career==

Clark was called to the bar in 1877. He soon gained a reputation as a criminal lawyer in a 'poisoning case', but went on to gain a large practice in civil and commercial law as well. He practised law both while in and out of parliament. During those periods when he was not serving as Attorney-General, he worked hard to build a successful practice. He failed to find his fortune in the law due to his generosity and refusal 'to accept anything beyond a reasonable and modest fee'. In 1887 he went into partnership with Matthew Wilkes Simmons.<ref name="ADB"/>

His career in private practice gave him a broad grounding in the law which stood him in good stead once he was promoted to the bench. Clark was knowledgeable in all branches of the law, but pre-eminent as a constitutional lawyer and jurist.<ref name="ADB"/>

Clark, never in robust health, in fact described as "small, spare, [and] nervous" by [[Alfred Deakin]], died at his home 'Rosebank' in [[Battery Point, Tasmania|Battery Point]] on 14 November 1907.<ref name="ADB"/> He is buried in the old [[Queenborough]] Cemetery at [[Sandy Bay, Tasmania|Sandy Bay]].