Being a lawyer: Professionalism, values and service

I first met Michael Coper in the winter of2008 when I was invited to the ANU College of Law as a Distinguished Visiting Mentor (a scheme invented by Michael) and John Fleming Visiting Fellow. I was keen to take up this invitation as I had read Dean Coper's wise and friendly welcome message which seemed to me to encapsulate - neatly and succinctly - the mission and core values all law schools should aspire to. This message also gives some insight into Michael's many qualities, both as a scholar and as a human being (and his photograph seemed to confirm the image of a wise, astute and kindly man). I was therefore a Coper fan before we had even met: impressed by his capacity to communicate, his passion for his discipline, his respect for legal values and his obvious pride in the ANU College of Law. 1 It is worth recounting in some detail what Michael said in his Dean's welcome, especially as this is no longer easily accessible.2Michael began by explaining why he was very willing to serve a third term as Dean (revealing darker skills of political survival, constitutional interpretation, not to mention physical stamina - or perhaps a third term simply reflects a failure to implement effectively a succession plan?) 3