First of all, congratulations on your appointment! Can you give us a brief rundown of your background and experience?

I studied Law and Economics in the UK as an undergraduate and then postgraduate LLM at University College London (on a scholarship). I worked in some corporate roles before accepting a teaching post in London. In 1989 I moved to Australia and accepted a corporate counsel role at AMP, and then was offered a lecturer in law position at Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education, which became the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) the following year. In ten years and one day I was promoted through every level of academics from lecturer to full professor. The last three of 18 years I was Professor of Corporate Law and the Perpetual Trustee Australia chair of financial services law. In 2007 I was appointed dean of the Western Sydney University (then called University of Western Sydney) school of law, which I held until July 2017 and I returned as a Professor of Corporate law and Governance. During that period I had been president of the Governance Institute of Australia; Australian Law Teachers Association; Corporate law Teachers association and deputy chair of the Council of Australian Law Deans. In 2000, I was the recipient of the Australian University Teaching Award for Law and Legal Studies. I was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and served as a director of that learned academy. I have been a consultant to Blake Dawson Waldren (now Ashurst) and, since 2017, a consultant to Coleman Greig lawyers in Parramatta.

What attracted you to the University of New England?

After a wonderful sabbatical in 2017, travelling around the world giving presentations in Hong Kong, Qatar, European Court in Luxembourg, four UK universities and University of Michigan and Microsoft HQ in Seattle, I felt it was time for a change. Out of the blue I received an email and call from the current head of law, who was planning to retire. I had an opportunity to visit UNE and loved the environment and the collegiate atmosphere of the Law School. Also, in early 2018 the university had gone through a restructure and the law school became part of a much wider faculty, that encompasses science, agriculture, business and law. This meant the identity of the law school was not as clear as it had traditionally been. The Law School was actually celebrating 25 years and had a wonderful dinner with the former High Court chief justice Robert French as its speaker. I have been very impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of all my dealings with UNE staff from senior management to the security personnel. There is a can-do attitude, with country politeness. Also, I have always loved technology and particularly in the context of e-learning. UNE appears to be at the forefront of such activity as over 80 per cent of the university students are online (and above 90 per cent for law students).

What would you say to anyone considering studying law?

Law is one of the best disciplines for providing career choices. Although about 50 per cent of law students plan to practice law, over half actually wish to pursue commercial careers, government roles, social justice/charities (not-for-profit sector) and many other professions. There has been a growing demand for lawyers and the overall market has changed in the last couple of years. The impact of technology has meant there are different models of practising law and biotech, IP, blockchain etc will all need regulation and guidance.

What is one piece of advice you can give to students currently studying law?

Read and read and write – remember that the legislation and cases are the primary sources of law and they are based on principles – learn the principles and the authorities that support those principles. Understanding citation and the difference between an authorised law report and the convenient neutral citation is a small thing but it can make a big difference.

What are the strategies and goals in place for the law school in 2019?

To build on the law school’s identity and expertise. To work with all the law academics on a curriculum review and develop a stronger research focus between the school and the Agricultural Law Centre. The connections between the profession and the University in Armidale have been cyclical and during 2019, I would like to see Town and Gown get closer to help each other. I have been granted budget to hire up to six new academics and this will provide a great opportunity to build on the existing team to go from strength to strength.

What do you hope to achieve as head of UNE’s school of law?

To provide leadership for the whole school and make sure legal research is understood at the faculty and University level. The recruitment of talented academics will boost the overall capacity of the law school in teaching and research. I look forward to working with UNE alumni and the Law Students Society. My number one priority is working individually with professional and academic staff to develop their careers and aspirations. The LLM and PhD program is outstanding but requires wider exposure and with my work in corporate law and governance, [I] hope to develop opportunities in new areas of law.

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While I was dean at WSU, I was excited to develop an app for helping students use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation – now at UNE I would like to see a new app (that covers the new 4th edition of AGLC) but also how to approach a research project (honours, LLM thesis or even a PhD) based on a step by step guidance. During 2019, I have offered to coordinate the Honours program in the LLB at UNE – as it introduces me to the top law students at UNE and my passion for research.

What does the University of New England’s law school offer that other universities may not?

UNE is a very student focused university law school. Although the majority of students are online, there is a high level of individualised support. Last year a new Bachelor of Legal Studies was introduced for those applicants that did not have the ATAR or background to get into the LLB. This provides a pathway and also a strong equity and access process for mature aged students. If the Legal Studies students gain a credit average, they can then apply to be transferred to the LLB program. UNE has a leading research centre in Agricultural Law (led by Professor Paul Martin) but there is expertise in international law, CSR, NDIS, IP and enrolls a three-star ERA research ranking (world-class). In one word, the law school offers ‘flexibility’ and quality.