What's it like working as a competition and consumer lawyer?

A Q&A with Mei Gong — competition and consumer lawyer, Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 finalist (Competition, Trade and Regulation), and an advocate for inclusion and diversity in the profession. When I was at university, competition and consumer law was a bit of a mystery — it's often a niche elective — yet it plays a big part in regulating how businesses deal with each other and with everyday consumers. Lawyers in the area are in reasonably high demand and the work is highly practical.

Competition and consumer law questions

What does your average week or month look like?

One of the best aspects of the area (and my group's generalist practice) is working across a full spectrum of issues. Hours are usually reasonable — 9am to 5:30 or 6:30pm — with late nights and weekends rare unless there's an urgent deadline. Beyond client work I sit on internal committees (from advancing female professionals to legal innovation), help prepare marketing materials, spot client opportunities, draft pitches, and — my favourite part — mentor junior lawyers.

What responsibilities and work can you expect?

It depends on your team and firm. I was lucky to work directly with my partner from my first year, so my experience may not reflect everyone's. You could be:

(a) Advising on the full spectrum of competition and consumer law issues — writing a memo or advising a Board on complex issues, reviewing contracts and policies for key risks, advising on an advertising campaign, or working across the risk cycle (risk assessments, compliance training, program audits).

(b) Engaging with regulators or defending investigations — the main regulator is the ACCC (you may also deal with ASIC or NZ's Commerce Commission). That could be proactive (an immunity application for cartel conduct, an authorisation or notification, a merger) or defensive (responding to an investigation, or defending litigation).

Talk me through a transaction you can disclose

I've been fortunate to work on billion-dollar transactions and historic approvals (such as the first resale price maintenance authorisation in New Zealand). But one stands out: in March 2020, as everyone was grappling with COVID-19, I helped prepare a client pitch, was told we won it, and drafted and finalised submissions — all within one week. The submission sought to let major pharmaceutical wholesalers collaborate on COVID-19 supply-chain arrangements so all Australians had timely, equitable access to essential medicines. We secured interim regulatory approval within 48 hours over an anxious weekend — against the ACCC's usual month.

What are some highlights?

Three: supporting the growth of other junior lawyers and celebrating their success; getting involved in initiatives with broader impact (firm committees, and supporting Foreign Qualified Lawyers through the Asian Australian Lawyers Association); and the chance to "step up" and thrive — being a probity officer in a meeting with four CEOs, or chairing a call between our CEO client and a senior partner of another firm.

Best aspects of the area?

(a) You become a much more informed consumer — knowing your rights helps you spot and protect them in everyday life. (b) You get to interact with the most senior executives — not just General Counsel but the CEO, COOs and Chair of organisations of all sizes.

What skills are required?

Much the same as any area — attention to detail, curiosity about the practice, and a good attitude to learning from mistakes. A growth mindset matters, because the law is broad and ever-evolving. I learned to do market research and understand economic concepts (defining a market, measuring a substantial lessening of competition), to tailor advice to different clients (commercial awareness), and to spot marketing opportunities and craft materials.

Any tips for qualifying in this area?

Understand whether you prefer particular sectors or parties (regulator vs business), and apply to firms known in that space; engage with content (follow the ACCC and thought leaders) so you have things to talk about at interview; and reach out to people who work in the area for a chat:

General questions

Why did you choose law?

I did a Science/Law degree and thought I might become a teacher. Two years in, after a lot of time in the lab, I realised I didn't enjoy the hands-on side of science but did enjoy exploring different perspectives and arguments. Volunteering at community legal centres, victim support and detention centres confirmed the hunch, so I applied for a commercial clerkship — and the rest is history.

Why competition and consumer law?

A mix of serendipity and choice. I'd set out to be an IP lawyer, but a rotation spot wasn't available; after a banking and insolvency rotation, a competition spot opened just as I remembered enjoying the subject at university. I settled early because I could take leading responsibility on several matters — too good to resist — the partner was supportive, and I've never looked back.

What does "commercial acumen" mean to you?

The phrase gets thrown around a lot in clerkship applications. With hindsight, I see it as being curious about the client, understanding their risk appetite, and giving practical advice tailored to it. We may want clients to take the risk-free option, but that's usually not the commercially sensible one — so long as you've warned them of the risk and they choose to take it anyway, there's not much more you can do.