Paul Burton

Senior Associate
Clayton Utz
Graduate Diploma in Competition Law
(Previously awarded a Master of Laws by Coursework in 2006 from the University of Melbourne)

Why did you choose to undertake a graduate degree in Law?
I enjoyed studying competition and consumer law in my undergraduate law degree. As I have practised in this area, previously at the ACCC, and since 2006 at Clayton Utz, I was interested to increase my knowledge in competition law.

Why did you choose Melbourne Law School?
The Melbourne Law School in my view offered the most comprehensive choice of postgraduate law subjects when compared with other Australian Law Schools. Furthermore, when the Law School created the courses in Competition Law, they appealed to me as being highly specialist and taught by the leading legal and economic experts in the area.

Describe your career pathway - what is your current role and how did you get to where you are?
I am a senior associate practising in the corporate advisory group of Clayton Utz's Brisbane office. I advise government and private sector clients on a range of administrative, corporate, trade practices and third party access issues. I commenced my career in 2002 as an investigative officer in the compliance division of the ACCC. I worked at the ACCC for four years and then moved on to Clayton Utz.

Describe your experience of studying in the Melbourne Law Masters. What have been the highlights?
I have enjoyed studying in the Melbourne Law Masters program. Each subject was taught by a leading expert in the area which meant that they could impart to students their wealth of knowledge and experience, whether from their acting as a regulator, lawyer or expert economist in respect of competition law cases.

Studying at a postgraduate level also enables you to focus on legal issues at a greater depth than what undergraduate courses allow. For example, most universities only teach one undergraduate course for competition law. Whereas, the Melbourne Law Masters allows you to complete an entire degree specialising in competition law (or other areas of interest).

What are you planning to do once you have completed your degree? Where do you think your degree will take you?
I intend to continue practising law in the competition/regulatory law area.

What advice do you have for others considering undertaking a graduate degree in Law at Melbourne?
Get started! The Melbourne Law School offers a great number of choices for studying law - so don't delay. The Melbourne Law School enjoys a well deserved reputation for providing students with a high quality legal education. If you have made the decision to undertake a graduate law degree, then you should take advantage of Australia's leading Law School.