Meet our new Dean!...Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Bryan HorriganBA, LLB (Qld) DPhil (Oxon)Dean, <strong>Monash</strong> <strong>Faculty</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Law</strong>Why did you choose your career path?The trick is ultimately to pursue your passionand to find your vocation, which is notnecessarily <strong>the</strong> same as your job. I started Artsand <strong>Law</strong> at university because I was good atdebating and awful at Science and Ma<strong>the</strong>matics– and legal studies was not even <strong>of</strong>fered when Iwas at school! What I thought my career wouldlook like even after undertaking a scholarship to do a PhD at Oxford, isvery different from where I am now. It does not matter so much which <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> various stepping stones you take throughout your career, so long as<strong>the</strong>re is method in <strong>the</strong> madness!What are some <strong>of</strong> your career highlights?While many people think that <strong>the</strong> high point <strong>of</strong> my Oxford experience wasreceiving a DPhil – what Oxford calls a PhD – one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greatest academicexperiences <strong>of</strong> my life was to have <strong>the</strong> privilege <strong>of</strong> being supervised by one<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> greatest jurisprudential scholars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> last century, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor JohnFinnis, <strong>the</strong> author <strong>of</strong> Natural <strong>Law</strong> and Natural Rights, amongst o<strong>the</strong>r majorworks. As a keen tennis player, it was also pretty hard to beat being <strong>the</strong>scoreboard operator for Centre Court at Wimbledon for <strong>the</strong> fortnight <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> whole championship at my final year at Oxford, and <strong>of</strong>ficiating at both<strong>the</strong> men’s and women’s finals. In more than 20 years <strong>of</strong> service with amajor international law firm, I developed with <strong>the</strong> firm’s support a uniqueconsultancy role across multiple areas <strong>of</strong> practice, research, and training.More recently, my service on a three-member expert panel appointed by<strong>the</strong> Australian Government has resulted in <strong>the</strong> Government’s acceptance<strong>of</strong> our recommendations and <strong>the</strong>ir progressive enshrinement in three majorpieces <strong>of</strong> law and regulation affecting <strong>the</strong> national economy – namely <strong>the</strong>Competition and Consumer Act, Australian Securities and InvestmentsCommission Act, and <strong>the</strong> Franchising Code <strong>of</strong> Conduct.What advice would you give to anyone considering embarking on a<strong>Monash</strong> law degree?<strong>Law</strong> matters in a civil society governed by <strong>the</strong> rule <strong>of</strong> law. <strong>Law</strong> is both adiscipline and a pr<strong>of</strong>ession. <strong>Law</strong> is now globalised. <strong>Law</strong> shapes and isshaped by o<strong>the</strong>r societal conditions. Above all, law is about justice. Youhave many opportunities here to pay more than lip service to <strong>the</strong>se ideals.The greatest opportunity available to every <strong>Monash</strong> law student is to takeadvantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> multiple educational, personal, practical experiencesand support networks that are available to you through <strong>the</strong> University, <strong>the</strong><strong>Faculty</strong>, and <strong>the</strong> LSS. As you move towards <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> your degree andpossible career opportunities, you might be surprised at how much <strong>the</strong>educational and non-educational opportunities available to you allow youto develop skills and experiences that potential employers <strong>of</strong> all kinds findvaluable. This is an aspect <strong>of</strong> strategic career planning that is worthy <strong>of</strong>reflection and planning from your first year in law onwards....and staffPr<strong>of</strong>essor Sarah JosephPr<strong>of</strong>essor, Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Castan Centre forHuman Rights <strong>Law</strong>List some <strong>of</strong> your career highlights:What do you enjoy most about your role in<strong>the</strong> <strong>Faculty</strong>?I work with a great team <strong>of</strong> people. Humanrights is a very energising area: it has beengreat to work with committed students in <strong>the</strong>area, many <strong>of</strong> whom have gone on to dynamichuman rights careers.• Appointment as Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Castan Centre in 2005• Co-authorship and publication <strong>of</strong> International Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights which has become recognised as <strong>the</strong> leading casesand materials book on one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world’s most important human rightstreaties.• Having over 4,000 followers on twitter (follow me at pr<strong>of</strong>sarahj)How do you try to have a positive impact on undergraduate students?The Castan Centre operates many programs for UG students such as <strong>the</strong>Global Internship Program, <strong>the</strong> moot on <strong>the</strong> Victorian Charter <strong>of</strong> HumanRights and Responsibilities, and its inhouse internship opportunities. I alsotry to give engaging lectures – it is much better to have an interacativeclass than for <strong>the</strong>m to just listen to me drone on.Do you have any advice for students considering a law degree at<strong>Monash</strong>?Don’t panic if it all seems a bit bewildering at first. But don’t expect it tobe easy ei<strong>the</strong>r. Scratch <strong>the</strong> surface and all law is interesting, and if you areinterested, you will achieve better results!List some <strong>of</strong> your career highlights?Jamie WalvischLLB, Assistant Lecturer (Criminal <strong>Law</strong> andProcedure, and <strong>Law</strong>yers’ Ethics)Why did you choose your current careerpath?I enjoy teaching, learning about new andinteresting matters in my field, and engagingwith o<strong>the</strong>rs who have similar passions. A life inacademia allows me <strong>the</strong> flexibility to pursue all<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se interests, as well as to work within <strong>the</strong>vibrant University culture.Working at <strong>the</strong> Victorian <strong>Law</strong> Reform Commission on <strong>the</strong>ir Defences toHomicide project (which led to <strong>the</strong> abolition <strong>of</strong> provocation as a defence,and significant reforms to <strong>the</strong> law <strong>of</strong> self-defence).Working at <strong>the</strong> Judicial College <strong>of</strong> Victoria, developing <strong>the</strong> VictorianCriminal Charge Book (which is <strong>the</strong> leading <strong>guide</strong> used by judges wheninstructing juries in criminal trials)How do you try to have a positive impact on Undergraduate Students?I try to instil a passion for <strong>the</strong> subjects I am teaching, as well as to ensurethat my door is always open for students who require any additionalassistance.What advice would you give to someone considering embarking on adegree with <strong>Monash</strong> <strong>Law</strong> School?Although you may need to work hard at times, make sure you take time toenjoy yourself and fully appreciate everything <strong>the</strong> University has to <strong>of</strong>fer.30
Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Adam McBethLecturer in both <strong>the</strong> UG and PG programs,Deputy Director <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Castan Centre andConvenor <strong>of</strong> Mooting and AdvocacyWhat do you like best about your currentrole?The Castan Centre for Human Rights <strong>Law</strong>provides some amazing opportunities to makea difference and to have an impact on policymakers in Australia and around <strong>the</strong> world –for students and academics alike. I am alsoenjoying <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong> running <strong>the</strong> faculty’s mooting program, which givesstudents an intensive experience in research, advocacy and <strong>the</strong> ability tothink on <strong>the</strong>ir feet.Why did you choose your current career path?After a brief period <strong>of</strong> legal practice, I left to do a PhD, and <strong>the</strong>n decidedthat I preferred <strong>the</strong> intellectual freedom <strong>of</strong> exploring <strong>the</strong> questions thatinterest me, ra<strong>the</strong>r than being bounded by <strong>the</strong> questions <strong>of</strong> a particularclient – so I never went back.Coaching <strong>the</strong> <strong>Monash</strong> team in <strong>the</strong> Jessup International <strong>Law</strong> Moot has alsobeen very rewarding, watching <strong>the</strong> transformation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students from <strong>the</strong>beginning to <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competition.The publication <strong>of</strong> my three books have also been career highlights.How do you try to have a positive impact on Undergraduate Students?My main focus at <strong>the</strong> moment is on <strong>the</strong> mooting program, which providesstudents with practical skills and a depth <strong>of</strong> research and legal knowledgeway beyond anything <strong>the</strong>y can learn from books or lectures.In my teaching, I try to engage with students in interactive lectures and tryto look beyond <strong>the</strong> simple content <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> law to understand <strong>the</strong> forces thathave shaped <strong>the</strong> law and ways is which it might be reformed in <strong>the</strong> future.Would you mind telling me one piece <strong>of</strong> advice you have for anyoneconsidering embarking on a degree with <strong>Monash</strong> <strong>Law</strong> School?Embrace <strong>the</strong> opportunities. Don’t look at your <strong>course</strong> as just a means toa degree; <strong>the</strong>re is so much more going on that can end up changing yourlife in ways you didn’t expect if you just take some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> opportunities thatcome your way.List some <strong>of</strong> your career highlights?Having an impact on policy reform by providing evidence to parliamentarycommittees and engaging with United Nations bodies, <strong>the</strong> World Bankand o<strong>the</strong>r agencies to promote human rights in <strong>the</strong>ir work....and alumniAryo SetyosoAssistant Director, Bank Indonesia(LLM 2000)Currently I work as a litigation lawyer for BankIndonesia (<strong>the</strong> Central Bank <strong>of</strong> Indonesia).I enjoyed studying at <strong>Monash</strong> as <strong>the</strong>lecturers were very helpful and have a strongcommitment to assisting <strong>the</strong> success <strong>of</strong>international students.<strong>Law</strong> is very focused on language. The waywe understand, think and express ourselvesare particularly important in handling and settling legal issues. Skills in<strong>the</strong> English language are very helpful however you do not have to be anEnglish expert, you can get it if you work hard!Jane Siu Yu LeeBE (Civil), LLBGeneral CounselZurich Insurance (Hong Kong)Working as an in-house counsel allows me towork on all sorts <strong>of</strong> different legal issues everyday, from something as small as a customercomplaint to something bigger like a globalinsurance program. I survived <strong>the</strong> transitionfrom an engineering background to <strong>the</strong> legalenvironment smoothly and believe anyonewho has an interest in reading would fit in studying law. All <strong>the</strong> lecturersat <strong>Monash</strong> <strong>Law</strong> School make you feel welcome and <strong>the</strong>y are all veryenthusiastic with shaping <strong>the</strong> future legal pr<strong>of</strong>ession.Andy EvansBCom/LLB (Hons) 1998What are some <strong>of</strong> your career highlights?What is your current role and what do youenjoy most about it?The flexibility to be involved in business ina variety <strong>of</strong> capacities whe<strong>the</strong>r as a lawyer,director, member <strong>of</strong> management committees,corporate or commercial advisor, all <strong>of</strong> whichare underpinned by <strong>the</strong> skills I have developedthrough my legal training.There have been many including instructing high pr<strong>of</strong>ile clients in sports/media disputes as a junior lawyer through to working internationally.Currently I am involved in <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> renewable energyindustry in Australia, an industry with global importance and reach.What were <strong>the</strong> best aspects <strong>of</strong> studying at <strong>Monash</strong> <strong>Law</strong> School?The progressive, contemporary approach exhibited by <strong>Monash</strong> generallythat goes beyond <strong>the</strong> academic content <strong>of</strong> your degree and applies to howyou think. This approach shapes not only your educational developmentbut also your personal development.What advice do you have for anyone considering embarking on a lawdegree at <strong>Monash</strong>?Be open to <strong>the</strong> many opportunities that are possible not only during yourstudies but later on in life. Having <strong>the</strong> <strong>Monash</strong> name and experience behindyou will position you well for whatever you want to do in life, whe<strong>the</strong>r it bein law or o<strong>the</strong>rwise.31
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