QUT Alumnus Brian Bero is the Principal, co-owner and Director of Jaramer Legal, the first national Indigenous law firm established in Australia.
A proud Meriam man, Brian was born in Innisfail but grew up across Australia spending time in Townsville, Karratha and Cairns. Brian studied law later in life after working as a fitter and turner in Western Australia.
“As a young boy in primary school, I attended Black Community School in Townsville. It was established by Uncle Koiki (Eddie) Mabo. I questioned why we needed white people to represent us in our claim for our island home, Mer (known as Murray Island). In considering this, I started to see the injustice in the original application of the law of terra nullius, as well as other injustices that were perpetrated against First Nations people. I wanted to educate myself to be on a level-playing field with the decision makers and understand the legal mechanisms behind such laws and policies that affected our people.”
Brian believes it was this and seeing the need for higher representation of First Nations people in commercial law that, “ignited and continually fuelled the flame in me to study Law,” he said.
Since graduating from QUT in 2005 with a Bachelor of Laws, Brian has had an extensive career working for some of the biggest corporations in Australia, government agencies, law firms, the Federal Court and Supreme Court in Victoria.
Founded between Brian and a fellow legal colleague Bevan Mailman, Jaramer Legal is the first national Indigenous law firm established in Australia. The name Jaramer is significant, “Bevan is a Bidjara man, and I am a Meriam – hence the name Jaramer which is derived from these two names,” Brian said.
One of the key priorities for Jaramer Legal is developing more talented First Nations lawyers in commercial/corporate law, “More diversity in this area of law is required – where it has been predominantly white. Many of our Prime Ministers in Australia have come from legal backgrounds. It may be a pipedream, but my hope is that a lawyer that we train and develop through Jaramer Legal becomes the Prime Minister of Australia. It’s a simple equation; more First Nations lawyers = greater chance of a First Nations Prime Minister. That is worth hoping for,” he said.
Working at Jaramer Legal, Brian’s day-to-day practice involves a wide range of activities, “I advise on complex contract negotiations and agreements, litigation, risk and compliance and regulatory matters, privacy, corporate structure and governance issues, probity matters, strategic government direction, technology matters, international instruments, and general procurement matters across many categories of goods and services as well as Federal Government grants.”
Brian also works on key initiatives that include ensuring Commonwealth and State funding is channelled to support regional and remote Indigenous communities. His passion for social issues has led to him being a current Director on the Board of Aboriginal Community Housing Ltd. In the past he has held directorships with several other not-for-profit organisations that provide services in social areas.
Passionate about equality and empowerment for First Nations people, Brian wants to see more First Nations people get involved in commercial activities and businesses, “I think this is a positive way to build wealth for our people to ensure that they are able to afford a better standard of living for themselves, their families, and their communities. From this approach, I would like to see generational wealth established so the future of First Nations people can be financially secure. This can be performed through innovative thinking and the use of our assets such as lands, seas and intellectual property,” he said.
When asked what personal and professional achievement he is most proud of, Brian said, “To be honest, I’m not proud of any of my achievements to date. For me, I think my best is yet to come and I just keep looking forward to making myself a better person and lawyer; and continuing to work hard to make Australia a better place (in my own small way) for all, in the spirit of reconciliation. I hear people say you should celebrate your small wins on the way. I think this may be true, but I have not really turned my mind to this way of thinking. We as First Nations people have a long way to go to achieve equality; and I don’t see personal achievements as wins, in light of the greater needs of First Nations people. Does this sound like I have an altruistic view on life? Probably. In growing up in the Indigenous community, I want us all to achieve together – as we have suffered together.
Brian is not enthusiastic about giving advice to his younger self - his view is that he would never change a thing about his upbringing, no matter how hard it was. However, drawing on many years of experience, he offered the following to those interested in pursuing a career in law;
“Choose subjects that reflect the direction you want your career to go, then do your research on potential firms, corporates or government agencies as possible targets to develop your career. Even from the beginning of your law degree, send applications, knock on doors, meet people and start building your network.
You need to develop a roadmap for your career – and a plan B, C and D.
Always present and conduct yourself well and with respect for others. Reputation and your own personal brand is extremely valuable as you grow as a person and as a professional. People will always remember you from how you conduct yourself, whether good or bad, without even necessarily remembering your name. Your reputation and personal brand can follow you around for life – make sure it paints you positively.
In general, you just need to get your head down and tail up. Someone said, ‘a little hard work never killed anyone’ - I’m not sure about that, but I’m still alive."
Reflecting on this year’s theme for NAIDOC week, Heal Country, heal our nation, Brian says, “This year’s theme brings back memories of my grandparents and parents and the hardships they had experienced in this country, including through laws and policies that were quite detrimental to their wellbeing. In considering such experiences, I feel that the country and its people need to heal from the oppression that had been inflicted upon them, resulting in generations of trauma. It is imperative that a truth telling process take place - and only then can the origins of such trauma be understood, where true reconciliation can take place, in a more informed environment with greater understanding and transparency, between the survivors and perpetrators.”
NAIDOC Week 2021 acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story didn’t begin with documented European contact. Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians. Healing Country is more than changing a word in our national anthem – it is about the historical, political, and administrative landscapes adapting to successfully empower and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, nations, and heritage.