Alumni Profile

Latin was not a subject I undertook, although I was often advised (on reflection, inaccurately) that if you wanted to become a lawyer, you should learn Latin. However, I remember noticing early in my school days the Camberwell Grammar School motto: Spectemur Agendo meaning;

‘We shall be observed [through our] doing.’

‘By our deeds may we be known.’

That motto always remained with me as a guiding theme. It was clear to me that Camberwell Grammar was about order and achievement, but not at the expense of compassion and cordiality. Academic excellence was pursued, as was rational and logical reasoning. Debate was encouraged on social issues, and I think this fostered in me a desire to study law and become an advocate. I cannot recall any one person or incident that inspired me to study law. On reflection, it was probably a whole range of influences impacting upon me at the end of my school experience that led me to go to The University of Melbourne to study law. It has been a path which I have enjoyed and found fulfilling.

The first year of university was both exciting and challenging. One thing I remember is having to be a lot more self-reliant as part of the process of fitting into a larger institution of learning. At that time, not many Camberwell Grammarians studied law at The University of Melbourne, so I made a number of new friends whom I still remain close to today. I actively participated in campus life. Taking advantage of everything a university campus provides is something I would encourage all students to do.

Congratulations to Alum, Mr Mark Champion on his appointment in February this year as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2).

Mark was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1994 and was called to the Bar in 2000.

Before practising law, I further studied law at Oxford University and became an Associate to Sir Ninian Stephen, then a Justice of the High Court of Australia. Both experiences were obviously educational and contributed to my store of knowledge and experience in the law. Both were fun too! People often assume being good at your vocation in the law you need to be super serious – having fun on the one hand and working hard and being successful on the other hand are not mutually exclusive.

Life as a lawyer, whether as a solicitor or barrister, is one dedicated to continual study, assisting others, and being part of the community and contributing to its welfare. Being appointed a Judge is a privilege, and has many challenges. Knowing that the work of the judiciary and people’s faith in it is an important part of maintaining our democracy and our way of life, underpins the reason one becomes a Judge.

Under the Australian Constitution, upon reaching the age of seventy a Federal Court Judge must retire from the bench. Whatever age is chosen, mandatory retirement is a good thing. Since leaving judicial office, I have chosen to work part-time as Special Advisor (a consultant really) with DLA Piper, an international firm of lawyers. For me it is a staged retirement process, giving me the opportunity to assist in interesting and worthwhile legal matters, and at the same time having the opportunity to enjoy more leisurely pursuits. DLA Piper is very much involved in pro-bono work, on the national and international stage. I have had a relatively long relationship with Timor-Leste, as has DLA Piper. There is still much that can be done to assist that new nation at all levels, a process I hope to become part of in the future.

My advice to current students is to choose a learning and career path that you enjoy – the rewards that you otherwise seek will undoubtedly follow.

Mark graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law (Hons) from The University of Melbourne in 1993 and began his legal career in 1994 as a solicitor with Holding Redlich.