Rowan McMonnies is global firm Baker & McKenzie’s newest local and international competitions partner. The former ACCC director tells us about how becoming a lawyer was luck, his love of surfing and why competition law is so interesting
Rowan McMonnies is global firm Baker & McKenzie’s newest local and international competitions partner. The former ACCC director tells us about how becoming a lawyer was luck, his love of surfing and why competition law is so interesting
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
Luck. I chose a range of courses going into University and my results made the decision for me. I've never looked back.
How long have you worked at Baker & McKenzie and what brought you to that position?
Four weeks. The decision was an easy one. The firm has a strong reputation in Australia, an established global network and their recent growth meant they had a definite need for a competition partner my size and shape.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
While at the Australian competition regulator, I reluctantly prosecuted a group of go-kart enthusiasts for cartel conduct. It wasn't my proudest moment but the record low penalty was a career high.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
My wife would kill me if I brought home three dead people for dinner. I pick my battles.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
Enjoy the challenge.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Thinking about surfing while running after a young family. I'm hoping in few years I'll get a chance to reverse the process from time to time.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
Independently wealthy. Until then, I'm sticking with the law.
What do you love about your job?
It is perpetually interesting. The application of competition law to dynamic markets means you've never seen it all before. Without this complexity I would lose interest fairly quickly.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
I'd have the office in the corner. The one with the sweeping view of the harbour.
