Getting to Know Arlen Duke

EMMA SHORTT
Volume 1, Issue 5 (Originally Published 26 March 2012)
 
Day 1 of Obs, Arlen Duke rocks up in a T-shirt and jeans. Clearly he’s not your average lecturer.
 
Arlen admits that very little about the time since he graduated has been normal. While working at Minter Ellison after graduation, “I didn’t have the typical law firm experience. They over-hired that year so we weren’t always busy.”
It was during his first rotation in employment law that he got his idea of “an escape plan” from Paula O’Brien. Arlen started a Masters degree at Melbourne, while working part-time at Minter Ellison. He then progressed to doing some sessional lecturing. Three years after graduation, Arlen was back at Melbourne Uni full time.
 
Arlen clearly loves teaching. This semester he’s teaching four classes (Two Obs, Two Competition). He also gave the typical response of someone who loves teaching to the question of the most hated part of teaching. In the blink of an eye, the answer is “Marking!”.
 
One of the other things Arlen clearly loves is his 3-year- old son Leyton. Not only does a smile overtake his expression when talking about Leyton, but playing with his son is one of the best ways Arlen handles stress.
 
Did you know?

• Arlen did not get his driver’s licence until September 2011.
• His worst mark during his law degree: contracts. (Yes, the same contracts that he teaches in multiple incarnations each year).
• The best thing about working in law: “It can be quite empowering”. The worst thing: “The reputation it has”.
• Has Arlen ever considered doing anything with his degree other than working in the law? No. It’s apparent to anyone who speaks with Arlen that he feels privileged to be working in academia and would probably only give up the position for the other loves in his life.

 
Emma Shortt