 He was a partner in the law firm Keall Brinsden from 1971 to 1984.While working as a barrister from 1985 to 2000 he was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1988 and served as part-time President of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal (WA).He was deputy chair of the Australia Council from 1978 to 1982 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).