Robert L Coombs

Becoming a UNSW Alumnus for the first time in 1975 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Accounting), Bob Coombs graduated again in 2025 with a Juris Doctor at the age of 78.

A certified public accountant and mediator, Bob has followed a path of education, eclectic interests and an array of leadership roles and geographic locations. He was admitted as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 1990, gained a Master of Arts with Merit in Ancient Greek and Roman History from the University of Sydney in 2007, completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice in 2024, and most recently his Juris Doctor at UNSW in 2025. That same year, he was admitted as a Practising Solicitor with the Law Society of NSW.

Bob is a qualified Mediator and has had a successful career in leadership roles across finance, IT and communications sectors, sales and marketing and now is a practicing solicitor.

After such a long and successful career, what inspired you to change course and study law?

I was privileged to matriculate at Sydney Boys High School in 1965 and intended to enrol in Law but did not have enough marks to earn a place, so I finally completed a BCom at UNSW. I always considered going back to law when the timing was available. When COVID arrived, I was semi-retired and, rather than slipping into retirement and golf, the opportunity to do the Doctor of Jurisprudence at UNSW was compelling.

What surprised you the most on your journey from student to solicitor?

The journey to JD and finally being admitted as a Solicitor was long and all consuming. As a mature student I was very comfortable with many of the legal situations having navigated them in my previous commercial life. The surprise was the rich depth of Law in the JD, which matched up to my breadth of experience in commerce, and the vast opportunities available on graduation.

Can you share an experience where a mentor significantly impacted your professional journey?

I was very privileged to know many in the legal profession, Judges, Barristers and Solicitors. The mentorship of those was essential in my graduation. Specifically, two Judges and my eventual master solicitors and lecturers and fellow students, guided me and helped me to understand how much more I had to learn.

The standout moments were with Justice Weinstein when we had to debate an important principle in the law, the principle of "instinctive or intuitive" when applied by sentencing judges.

The overarching principle was that the law is not and should not be static. Good precedent should survive but there is always room to reflect and question and, if necessary, change.

What advice would you give to current students about seeking and maintaining mentor relationships?

My strong advice is to look for and value as many mentorships as you feel you can handle. All mentors will have limitations. No one mentor will have all the answers. It is important when choosing and retaining mentors that you are confident that they will point you in the right direction and have the depth of experience you are looking for.

How did your education at UNSW prepare you for your career?

The UNSW JD course is comprehensive and of the highest quality.

The opportunities and practical court work sessions were outstanding. The opportunity to practise with real live law at the Kingsford Legal Centre was inspiring.

Were there any particular courses or professors at UNSW that had a lasting impact on you?

Sentencing and Criminal Justice was my most favoured subject. The generosity given by Supreme Court Justices Dina Yehia and Richard Weinstein made the subject real and memorable. Also, Law in the Global Context and Environmental Law were a great preparation for law beyond Australia.

What do you think is the most important thing a person can do to build a successful career?

The most important thing is to graduate. Employers look for someone who has proven that they can learn at a high level. 

Throughout my career it has been necessary and enjoyable to keep learning, academically and from colleagues and situations.

The constants have been ultimate ethical behaviour, tolerance in all respects, and to always seek the facts, never guess.

My family quite often ask what I do. I have had the privilege to coach and mentor many senior executives of the world's largest companies. My answer is that I coach people to be nice to one another.

What advice do you have for students just starting out, or established professionals trying to reach their next milestone?

When into your career, the most important thing is to enjoy your chosen path and to work with people that you trust and respect (liking will follow). Life is too short to waste in something that you are not passionate about.