Cameron Roper

Senior Associate
King & Wood Mallesons
Master of Banking and Finance Law

Why did you choose to undertake a graduate degree in Law?
After working as a lawyer for a few years, I decided that a graduate degree in law would be the ideal complement to the practical legal training I was receiving as part of my employment. In particular, I saw a graduate degree in law as an opportunity to challenge myself and to explore aspects of the law in more detail, with a particular focus on areas relevant to my career as a banking and finance lawyer.

Why did you choose Melbourne Law School?
Even though I live in Perth, the Master of Banking and Finance Law course offered by Melbourne Law School seemed perfectly tailored to my career as a banking and finance lawyer. The course came highly recommended by colleagues and friends due to the practical relevance of the subjects offered, the high calibre of the teaching staff and the quality resources available to students.

Describe your career pathway - what is your current role and how did you get to where you are?
After completing my undergraduate degree in law, I started work as a lawyer at Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Perth, initially working in the dispute resolution group. Shortly afterwards, I settled in the banking and finance group, where I have now worked for over 5 years. My practice centres around resources project finance, corporate finance and restructuring. I was promoted to senior associate in 2010.

Describe your experience of studying in the Melbourne Law Masters. What have been the highlights?
All of the subjects I have completed so far have been both interesting and relevant to my work, and the wide range of subjects that are taught intensively means that, on a practical level, it's been easy to combine part-time study with full-time employment. However, the real highlight has been the people I have met as part of my course. The teaching staff are clearly experts in their respective fields, bringing years of practical expertise and a real passion for the law to their subjects. In addition, there is a genuine commitment to learning from the students and it's fantastic being able to engage in interesting discussions with people from all around the world.

What are you planning to do once you have completed your degree? Where do you think your degree will take you?
Being a banking and finance lawyer requires both an understanding of complex legal concepts and an ability to run transactions efficiently. Completing my Master of Banking and Finance Law at the Melbourne Law School has increased my legal knowledge in areas relevant to my practice and equipped me with research and analysis skills that I use on a day-to-day basis. Accordingly, my studies have already made me a better lawyer, in both a technical and practical sense, and I have no doubt that the benefits to my career will continue long after I finish my degree.

What advice do you have for others considering undertaking a graduate degree in Law at Melbourne?
Don't be afraid to challenge yourself - the Melbourne Law Masters is the perfect opportunity to really expand your legal skills and become an expert in your chosen field. Also, both the teaching staff and the other students have a wealth of experience and insight to share, so make the most of the class discussions - they're a great way to gain exposure to a wide range of perspectives.