Leading First Nations lawyer Brian Bero has been named a QUT Outstanding Indigenous Australian Alumnus for 2025, recognising his leadership in law, advocacy and Indigenous economic development.
The law graduate was honoured last night at the annual QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards at the university’s Gardens Point campus in Brisbane.
QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil said the Outstanding Indigenous Australian Alumnus award recognised Brian’s transformative impact at the intersection of law, policy and Indigenous empowerment.
“His drive and leadership cannot be underestimated, unlocking economic opportunity, protecting cultural heritage and advancing self-determination for First Nations peoples across Australia,” Professor Sheil said.
Mr Bero is co-founder, Principal and Director of Jaramer Legal, one of Australia’s first national Indigenous-owned law firms, delivering corporate and commercial legal services to government and corporations in many industries across Australia, as well as Indigenous businesses and representative bodies.
Before entering the legal profession, Mr Bero worked as a fitter and turner in mining and gas in the Pilbara, built ships in Cairns, and machined parts for fighter jets in Brisbane – developing a strong work ethic and gaining practical experience that shaped his pragmatic approach to leadership.
Mr Bero said the recognition of the award was particularly meaningful because of the personal difficulties he had faced in his student days.
“My law degree was the most challenging time of my life,” Mr Bero said.
“In the third year of my law degree, I lost my father; in the fourth year of my law degree, just two weeks before I was to sit my final exam, my mother passed away.
“I was obviously devastated in that time, but also powered through to ensure that I would make them proud wherever they were.
“This award is extra special as a result of that.”
Mr Bero said he was drawn to studying at QUT because of the Oodgeroo Unit, which supports Indigenous students at QUT and connected him with a network of people who continue to be lifelong friends.
The strength of those relationships forms the basis of his advice to today’s QUT students.
“Study hard but also ensure that you build a network of friends because those friends will be there to support you through your career,” Mr Bero said.
Mr Bero has represented major corporations and government bodies – including Victorian Government Solicitors Office, Telstra, Oracle and Qantas – on complex legal matters in areas such as telecommunications, technology, renewable energy, infrastructure development, and data and privacy. His lived experience further allows him to apply a cultural lens to matters that impact Indigenous communities.
“My QUT degree has given me a great platform to work off,” Mr Bero said.
“It has allowed me to develop the skills and expertise to now sit on boards, progress my career in law, and work on matters that are really important to me.”
In 2024, he was named National First Nations Senior Lawyer of the Year and continues to contribute to industry including the clean energy sector through roles with ARENA and the First Nations Clean Energy Network.
The following year, he was appointed to the Federal Government’s First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group and the Board of Indigenous Business Australia, helping drive national policy and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
A Meriam man from North Queensland, Mr Bero is passionate about Indigenous self-determination and holds Director roles with Original Power, Aboriginal Community Housing Ltd, and Ilbijerri Theatre Company in Melbourne, the oldest established First Nations theatre company in Australia.
Learn more about the 2025 QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards winners here.
Information on studying law at QUT can be found here.
Media contact:
Rod Chester
QUT Media
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
