Lumen Summer 2016 - Flipbook - Page 13
Right: Adam Kimber SC
T
he current South Australian Director
of Public Prosecutions (DPP) loves
his sport, particularly cricket, and
it kept him on the pitch in his spare time,
playing in three A grade premierships for
the AU Blacks.
Adam’s decision to study law was neither
a lifelong dream nor a passion, but one he
describes as a naïve process of reasoning.
“I was of that generation, rightly or wrongly,
where if you were lucky enough to do well
at school, you only thought of a narrow
career path in law or medicine,” he said.
“When I entered university I was very
naïve about work and opportunities that
existed in other fields and I remember
not wanting to pursue medicine. I did
law almost by default rather than any
kind of grand plan.”
After graduating with a BA Jur in 1990
and an LLB (Hons) three years later, Adam
started work in the Supreme Court of
South Australia where he was an Associate
to the late Chief Justice Len King (LLB
1951). After a short period in private
practice, he was approached by former
DPP, the late Paul Rofe QC (LLB 1973),
who offered him a position. Adam had
mixed feelings about taking up the role.
“I was interested in the role because it
is a place where young practitioners do
court work which they can’t do in private
practice, but I was torn because the firm
I was working for had been very good to
me. To turn my back on that after only a
couple of months wasn’t easy,” he said.
“I made the decision to leave and I
haven’t looked back. I have been very
fortunate in my career.”
Adam took up the role of DPP in April
2012. His office is responsible for serious
criminal prosecutions destined for the
District and Supreme Courts. Along with
running an office of some 135 people,
Adam still practices a reasonable amount
of law, mainly appellant work in the Court
of Criminal Appeal.
One of his many challenges is difficult
conversations with victims of crime
where there is no reasonable prospect
of a conviction, which means the
matter cannot proceed.
“When we make a decision that
impacts on a victim and explain that
decision to them, those conversations
can be very challenging,” he said.
A talented cricket player in his youth,
Adam played for the AU Blacks for 16
years and for South Australia for a brief
period. Although no longer a player, Adam
still enjoys a close relationship with the AU
Blacks Cricket Club as its president.
“It’s a way of giving back but also a way
of continuing a connection with people I
respect and who are important to me.”
Adam played in three Blacks’
premierships which, at the time he
started, was unheard of for a club of
undergraduates who usually finished
mid to bottom of the table.
“You can’t overestimate how much fun
that was, what a great sense of achievement
it was to be part of the group of people
who achieved at that level,” he said.
However, it was the connections and
friendships Adam made during his time
at the club that he values most.
“I met so many people through playing
sport at university who I would not
have otherwise met. University sport is
an incredible way to meet people from
different backgrounds, different professions,
different programs and it exposes you to
a network of friends that you wouldn’t
have otherwise connected with.”
With a demanding job and commitments
as the club president, Adam has now
swapped the cricket bat for golf clubs.
University sport is
an incredible way to meet
people from different
backgrounds, different
professions, different
programs and it exposes you
to a network of friends that
you wouldn’t have otherwise
connected with.
“In a funny way I still love the game,
but I don’t have any desire to play. I
spent so much of my time, both as an
undergraduate and once I left university,
trying to be the best player I could be that
I haven’t found much enjoyment in playing
socially when I can’t train and practice.”
If you would like to share your story
with your fellow alumni, contact us at
alumni@adelaide.edu.au
Follow the AU Blacks at
www.theblacks.com.au
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 11
