Matt Burgess
In-House Lawyer
Association of Surfing Professionals International Ltd (ASP)
FTV Oceania Pty Ltd
Current student, Graduate Diploma in Sports Law
Why did you choose to undertake a graduate degree in Law?
Hayden Opie, the Director of Studies for Sports Law, suggested it to me at the Annual ANZSLA (Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association) Conference and after looking into the subjects on offer, it was hard to ignore. My employers love the fact that I am doing something so relevant to the work I am doing for them and I really enjoy the thought of getting more qualified in an area of the profession that I love.
Why did you choose Melbourne Law School?
It is the only uni in the Southern Hemisphere that offers such a course... hard to look past!
Describe your career pathway - what is your current role and how did you get to where you are?
I am in-house counsel for the world governing body of professional surfing and for Fashion TV Oceania, which owns the rights to the subscription television channel ‘Fashion TV' for Australia and New Zealand. I also work part-time for a general practice on the Gold Coast.
I finished my LLB in 2005 at Bond University, did a short internship at ASP and then they offered me a job at the start of 2006 as in-house counsel working with numerous lawyers around the world.
Fashion TV offered me the in-house position at the start of 2008.
Describe your experience of studying in the Melbourne Law Masters. What are the highlights?
It has been incredible. The highlight is the networking available at each subject. People from very similar positions to me are always there and willing to provide their opinions based on their experiences. The open discussions are almost always the most beneficial part of the subject.
What are you planning to do when you have completed your degree?
I've started my own business on the Gold Coast in Sport and Entertainment Law and will do my best to get that off the ground and see where it takes me.
What advice do you have for others considering undertaking a graduate degree in Law at Melbourne?
The format of the course really accommodates those working professionally and while it requires time for the assessment side of things outside of hours, anyone considering sports administration or working within sport or entertainment as a lawyer would be crazy not to do this course.