Episode 192 – Why you should seize all opportunities as they arise with Peter Black
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In this week’s episode of the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life Podcast’ I had the pleasure of interviewing legal academic, Peter Black. Peter does not describe himself as being a lawyer but having spent an hour learning a little about his amazing career in the legal profession, he certainly falls into the ‘lawyer’ box for me! These days Peter is an Academic at Queensland University of Technology here in Brisbane where is currently the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching in the Law School. He has spent much of his career in academia along with some fascinating roles overseas along the way. He has also used his education and skill to advocate for many causes close to his heart, having been recognised with a number of industry awards for his work particularly in advocacy for the LGBTI community.
This interview has it all- from building a career that is true to you and finding your path in law but perhaps most importantly, it was Peter’s candid discussion of his own challenges with mental ill-health and the steps he has taken and the support he has received that we can all take so much from. My own research from current and past students of Peter’s tells me he is one great teacher too and it is wonderful to know that someone with such compassion, knowledge and skill is inspiring our lawyers of the future each day.
In this interview, Peter and I also chatted about-
- If Peter was not a lawyer (although he does not really consider himself one) he would have been a journalist.
- Peter’s love of teaching.
- Peter was born in Brisbane and spent his early childhood in London.
- How Peter found his way into law school.
- As a lecturer, Peter gives us his thoughts on teaching law students in 2020 as compared to his own studies.
- Peter’s first step in his legal career as an Associate in the Supreme Court in Queensland with Justice Davies who encouraged Peter to continue his studies, so he travelled overseas and did just that!
- The choice, early on in his career, to pursue a life of academica and how he found himself as a Constitutional Law Lecturer at QUT!
- Why we should all seize the opportunities as they arise and how Peter’s best career moments have come from those unexpected opportunities.
- Peter has been an advocate for LGBTI communities for many years- how and why this has mattered to him.
- A constitutional law lecturer’s predictions for the future of the legal profession.
- Peter shares his battles with mental health and at times, reliance on alcohol and the steps he has taken to overcome this.
- He shares his journey to ‘happiness’ and how we can look after after our minds.
- Seeking professional help and knowing when to reach out when you need it.
- Peter’s Happiness Tip
Sit back and enjoy this interview with Peter Black
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Learn more here about upcoming events and courses and connect with Clarissa Rayward at the ‘Happy Lawyer Happy Life’ knowledge centre- A community for lawyers who want to make the best out of their life in and outside of the law.
Listen to last week’s episode here
