First published 20 September 2013
QUT's School of Law has appointed John Kelly as Adjunct Professor to head the team of academics and practising lawyers teaching its new undergraduate Mining and Resources Law elective.
Mr Kelly has been a leading commercial and business lawyer for more than 30 years. He has been a partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth since 1974 and has been a director (1999-2011) and chairman (2007-2011) of the firm.
QUT Executive Dean of Law Professor John Humphrey said Mr Kelly and a number of partners from Corrs Chambers Westgarth law firm had played a major role in designing and teaching QUT's real-world Mining and Resources Law elective.
"Mining is a significant driver of the Queensland and national economies, generating revenue and taxation. It's important that QUT's law students learn what's expected for success in the real world of mining and resources law. They will benefit from Mr Kelly's substantial knowledge, skills, experience and connections," he said.
Well-respected in the energy and resources field, Mr Kelly was named 2013 Brisbane Mining Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers Peer Review and has been recognised as a leading energy and natural resources lawyer by Chambers Global for five consecutive years.
Mr Kelly is a past national president and life member of the Australian Mining and Petroleum Law Association (Resources and Energy Law Association), and was a Queensland Law Society senior counsellor (1997-2013).
His primary area is the negotiation and documentation of major commercial transactions and projects. He has been involved in a wide range of projects and transactions including gas and electricity projects, mine development and infrastructure projects.
Mr Kelly has a long-standing relationship with QUT having been a part-time lecturer in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice course, then as a member and chairman (2003-2008) of the Law Faculty Advisory Committee.
