Staff Interviews: Getting to Know Jason Boseland

Bronwen Ewens
Volume 1, Issue 11 (Originally Published 14 May 2012)
 
Jason Bosland’s sunny personality and warm smile are known to his many MLS students – he teaches, or has taught, Property to JDs, and both Trademark Law and Media Law to JDs and LLBs.

Jason’s LLB and LLM are both from Melbourne, as is his BA in Cultural Studies. He also holds an LLM from The London School of Economics and Political Science. In his post-graduate degrees, he specialised in, respectively, Intellectual Property and Media Law.

‘Intellectual Property appealed to me from the beginning’, he explains. ‘I enjoyed it, the most of the LLB subjects. I think there’s a connection with my interest in language, which I studied in depth in my Arts degree. Trademark Law, especially, is closely linked to linguistics. In terms of Media Law, I ampassionate about such subjects as freedom of speech and how competing interests, and freedoms, play out’.

His least favourite subject was Criminal Law, which never really resonated with him.

In addition to his enthusiasmfor his subjects, Jason enjoys the scope for interaction with students and other faculty that an academic career allows. The opportunity to explore ideas and to exchange them with others makes academia a fulfilling career. ‘I even enjoy it when people disagree strongly with me, and take issue with something I’ve said’, he says.
 
Outside the “Law World”
If he wasn’t a law academic, Jason would be an English or Legal Studies teacher, ‘or a landscape designer. That also offers scope for self-expression and creativity, as well as the chance to connect with nature. For now, gardening is my hobby’.

Jason enjoys home and family life. He and his partner, Luke, dote on their two dogs, Lucy and Stanley.

He also likes travelling and his favourite destination is Italy, especially Naples and the Amalfi Coast. In addition to the cultural and scenic attractions there, visiting provides a chance to catch up with Luke’s family.

Instead of naming anything he dislikes about being a lawyer, Jason focuses on types of behaviour or personality, not unknown in legal circles, which he finds off-putting. ‘Competitiveness, egomania, one-upmanship, self-importance – they aren’t my style at all. This is not to say that achievement and excellence shouldn’t be celebrated. They should – but they ought not to come at the expense of other people.’
Jason is not one to proselytise, but if he could change one thing in today’s world, it would be the amount of meat people consume. ‘I became a pescatarian five years ago, out of concern for the environment and also for animal rights, and I haven’t looked back since.’

Some Friendly Advice
Enjoy your time at law school. Don’t become tunnel visioned, focusing on marks he detriment of engaging with fellow students and faculty. Don’t let stress cloud your experience – that can actually get in the way of learning. I didn’t undertake articles and
 
Bronwen Ewens