22 January, 2025
Today, Morgan Beames is an Associate in the workplace and employment team at HopgoodGanim Lawyers. However, before becoming a lawyer, Morgan had a diverse career, starting in industrial design while serving as a reserve Combat Engineer in the Australian Army. We sat down with Morgan to talk about his non-conventional path to law, switching careers, and how our Bachelor of Laws – Graduate Entry and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, otherwise known as Practical Legal Training (PLT), helped him get there.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. To start, we’d love to hear what motivated you to pursue a career in law, particularly after you completed a Bachelor of Industrial Design and spent seven years as a Combat Engineer?
My path to law wasn’t conventional. Initially, I pursued a degree in industrial design and marketing and served as a reserve Combat Engineer in the Australian Army while studying. When I completed my degree I started my career in product management in the automotive industry. But after a few years I still felt like something was missing. I wanted a new challenge that combined creativity and critical thinking, and that’s when I discovered law. In my opinion, law is highly creative—crafting persuasive arguments, simplifying complex ideas, and engaging with people are all aspects that appealed to my skills and passions. It was also the perfect opportunity to combine my interest in politics and current affairs with a career.
That’s great, and were you able to use your previous study to complete your law degree faster?
Yeah, with credit from my previous bachelors degree, I was able to enrol in QUT’s Bachelor of Laws – Graduate Entry program. The shorter study duration (three years instead of four) made returning to university an easy decision.
Why did you choose to continue studying at QUT with your PLT?
Choosing to study my PLT at QUT after completing my undergraduate degree there was an easy decision. I had such a positive experience in my undergraduate degree—the academics were outstanding and I loved the Gardens Point campus. Its central location in the city was also a perfect fit for my lifestyle, as I was already working nearby.
How did QUT’s PLT help you develop the necessary skills for a successful legal career?
QUT’s PLT program equipped me with the confidence and practical skills needed to thrive in my legal career. The academics not only believed in me but also provided unwavering support, teaching essential skills that go beyond the black letter of the law. From drafting letters and interacting with clients to integrating technology into practice, the course introduced me to the soft skills, technical skills and the ancient skills, like letter writing, that are essential to the craft of a lawyer.
How did you get your first job in the legal industry?
Initially, I started working at my uncle’s legal practice, but I wasn’t interested in practising his area of law so I knew I didn’t want to stay there. Luckily, during the course I had the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with teaching staff to discuss my career aspirations, current position and future goals. They helped me identify the area of practice I wanted to pursue and connected me with professionals in that field. Their support and genuine belief in me gave me the confidence I needed to make the most of their connections, ultimately leading to a role in the industry.
And were you working while studying your PLT? Were you able to receive credit for this experience?
Yes, I was already working in the legal profession when I was doing PLT, which meant I was able to get credit for that real-world experience. It was fantastic because it shortened the duration of the PLT course and reduced the cost.
What does an average day look like in your current role?
No two days are the same for me as an Associate in the workplace and employment team. The current legislative landscape for employment is rapidly and constantly changing, so one day I might be advising clients on the implications of new workplace legislation, and the next I could be helping resolve a complex employee dispute.
To finish, what advice would you give to someone who is considering studying their PLT at QUT?
I can’t recommend the QUT PLT highly enough. Not only do they ensure you are equipped with the technical skills you need to succeed as a lawyer, but the teaching staff really invest in you and your career. They take the time to sit down with you one-on-one to talk through your goals and offer up their industry connections and advice. It’s the personal touch that sets QUT PLT apart.
Explore undergraduate law and PLT at QUT