Karen Carmody, Class of 1989
In our first 30 years, almost 30,000 alumni have graduated from Bond University. To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’re showcasing some of the past students who have paved the way for the next generation of Bondies.
Meet Bachelor of Laws alumna Karen Carmody.Â
What is your current role?
I have two positions: (1) Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Commissioner for the Queensland Parliamentary Committee and (2) Barrister at the private Bar.
Where are you based?
Brisbane.
Why did you choose to attend Bond?
I had lived and worked in Paris for 10 years and wanted to return to Australia and complete a law degree as quickly as possible.
What are your recollections of your time here?
Wonderful -- I still have some close friends from those days.
How has being a Bond graduate helped you in your career?
It gave me an excellent start to my legal career.
What have been your career highlights so far?
Being appointed Public Interest Monitor for the State of Queensland and then being appointed Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Commissioner.
What advice would you give to current Bondies?
Even though you only need 51 per cent to pass and most times that is all you need if you really want to succeed in your chosen career, study as hard as you can now because you won’t have time once you get into practice (as a lawyer and no doubt in many other professions as well).
What does it mean to you to be a Bondy?
I was an 892er. It was and remains a very close group and whenever I encounter a Bond graduate there is immediately a feeling of rapport.
What is your favourite memory of Bond?
Mark Ellis, a fellow law student, lying on the grass outside the law library writing his hilarious Bond Law newsletters.
Anything else you would like to share?
Have as much fun as possible -- it is downhill all the way once you leave Bond.