Katrin O'Sullivan on harnessing law for the greater good

For many lawyers, professional life is centred around billable hours, ensuring that productivity is as high as possible no matter the cost.

For Katrin O’Sullivan, life as a lawyer is quite different indeed.

“The metrics of success are very different in the NGO sector,” says O’Sullivan, who serves as general counsel for The Fred Hollows Foundation. “We measure our achievements by what we give, not what we take in.” Working in the non-profit sector, says O’Sullivan, “fills my heart with joy every day.

“It’s extremely rewarding and I find it very gratifying to make a contribution to improve the lives of those less privileged,” she says.

O’Sullivan started her career in the law on a more standard path, undertaking  placements at King & Wood Mallesons and in the legal department at Telstra. She had chosen law as a gateway to the world. “When you study law, you’re given so many opportunities,” she says. “It’s never just confined to private legal practice. There is a whole world out there that requires legal skills.” 

Graduating with a bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney in 2002, followed by master’s degree in public international law at University College London, O’Sullivan embarked on a global adventure that saw her work on draft resolutions for the United Nations General Assembly (on behalf of the German government) and the European Council, before taking a role at the United Nations itself as head of the regional legal office for the Middle East, working on projects in New York, Geneva, Dubai, Afghanistan and more. “Travelling and witnessing first-hand the devastating living circumstances of people in some of the most isolated and impoverished regions of the world can be confronting and taxing,” says O’Sullivan, “but it’s a wonderfully rewarding way to contribute, even in a small way. It’s by far the best thing about not just my job, but my life in general, apart from my family.”

In 2011, O’Sullivan joined The Fred Hollows Foundation, a non-government organisation dedicated to continuing the work of Professor Fred Hollows and ending preventable blindness, particularly among Indigenous Australians. As the Foundation’s in-house general counsel, O’Sullivan’s role is vast - she oversees the provision of legal support to the whole foundation: that’s across more than 25 countries and more than 400 staff members. Katrin has been recently awarded the prestigious award of the 2024 ‘General Counsel of the Year” and 2024 “In -Housel Lawyer of the Year” and has been included in the in the Most Influential Lawyers in Australia 2024 list. In addition, 2023 and 2019, she was named "Not for Profit Lawyer of the Year" by the Association of Corporate Counsel.

“My work day is always very varied,” she says. A typical day could involve anything from negotiating an agreement with a donor or supplier to advising on corporate governance to dispute resolution. Additionally, O’Sullivan set up the foundation’s international operations, including offices in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Ethiopia. In areas such as Cameroon, Singapore and Vietnam, O’Sullivan has been instrumental in establishing impact investments and social enterprise programs, each of which requires adherence to local laws.

Being at the foundation for more than a decade means that O’Sullivan has had time to see and appreciate real change. “I’ve been on field trips where I’ve had the privilege of meeting the medical staff who perform miraculous surgeries on blind patients, changing their lives for the better, forever,” she says. “There is no better feeling of being part of a worthy purpose like this, and working with like-minded people from all over the world on a daily basis.”

Working in the non-government sector has its challenges, says O’Sullivan. Working across different jurisdictions requires a sharp eye on local laws, which can be complex and ever-changing. The foundation works closely with remote communities, too, which can present geographical and cultural issues. “We also have particular laws and regulatory bodies that govern charities here in Australia and overseas,” says O’Sullivan. “We need to comply with donor laws and also think about everything from child protection to modern slavery and the prevention of fraud and corruption.” It’s an exhausting, exhaustive list to an outsider but all in a day’s work for O’Sullivan. “It’s so important to adhere to these regulations to maintain, protect and enhance the public’s trust in us,” she explains, “especially with our kind and generous donors.” Balancing the needs of foundation stakeholders - from donors to patients to doctors and more - is a constant work in progress, says O’Sullivan. “I think sometimes, in-house lawyers are seen as gatekeepers and bottlenecks within the business. It’s part of my job to establish and nurture good relationships, and understand what we are all trying to do here.”

O’Sullivan’s contributions don’t end at the foundation - she is also a volunteer mentor at the University, as part of the Dalyell Professional Mentoring Program and recently held a guest lecture at the University’s postgraduate course- “Not-For Profits, Philanthropy and the Law”. “I’ve had the privilege of many incredible mentors throughout my career,” she says. “As a student and young professional, it was so important to me to have access to someone who could guide me.” Being able to reciprocate, she says, “is beyond gratifying.”

For those pondering a career outside the courts, O’Sullivan says it’s key to establish a track record of demonstrated interest in the sector early on. “There’s so many ways to do that,” she says. “Work experience, volunteering, attending conferences, even doing things like the Young UN program,” she says. And one of the easiest and most effective ways? “Surrounding yourself with like-minded people.” It’s something she has done since her days at university.

“I loved my classes,” says O’Sullivan, “but the highlights of my time at university were the relationships I forged with the faculty members and students. I found the campus and in particular the law faculty a nurturing environment both intellectually, and personally. Everyone wanted to succeed, and wanted their friends to succeed, too. It was incredibly uplifting.”

Katrin O'Sullivan recently shared her insights with the Sydney Alumni Community on LinkedIn as part of the 'Ask Me Anything' alumni series. Join today to connect with fellow alumni.