How Law and Policy are Deeply Intertwined - Michael O’Kane [LLB, BA ’09]

"Whilst at UWA, I studied a combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in history).  I spent a number of years during my studies volunteering at a community legal center, where I gained a first-hand insight into how law and policy are deeply intertwined. 

I completed my studies in 2009 and since then have enjoyed an interesting and diverse career, in both legal and policy advisory roles.  I commenced as a law graduate at a large international law firm, and thereafter worked as a solicitor in the firm’s building and construction litigation team.  I subsequently moved into a role in the State public sector to further pursue my interests in policy development, where I worked in energy policy and as a research officer in their Intergovernmental Relations Division.

My most recent role has been in a combined legal and policy advisory role at the Housing Industry Association, where I spent five and a half years before taking up my current position as a Senior Policy Officer at the Building Commission (the WA regulator for the building industry).  Outside of work, I’ve been very keen to provide support for people who want to work in legal and policy areas, such as through the UWA Career Mentor Link and Careers Café."