Since admission as a lawyer, he has worked with Paul Paraka Lawyers, where he carried out litigation work in commercial matters, with Employers Federation of PNG, where he handled labour, employment and industrial relation issues and was involved in various arbitration tribunals. Mr Kawat also worked with the Civil Aviation Authority of PNG as a Senior Legal Officer and he was instrumental in establishing the National Airport Corporation. Highlight of some of his professional contribution included the meticulous drafting of the Civil Aviation Act 2000 and the identification and transfer of assets from Civil Aviation Authority to the State Aviation Enterprise created by the Civil Aviation Act 2000.

At Bank South Pacific, he worked as the Senior Legal Officer, dealing with debt recovery, labour and employment issues and commercial agreements.

Mr Kawat has extensive experience in conveyancing, leases, banking and finance, natural resources law, all aspects of public law, oil and gas matters, contracts,