Law Student Gazette

1. Curia Legal Essay Competition

Curia Legal is a startup dedicated to providing innovative learning opportunities for law students.

As part of its launch, Curia Legal is running an essay competition, open to law students across Australia.

The essay topic is: How is the role of a legal advocate changing in an age of disruptive innovation and technology?

Submissions close Monday 12 October at 11.55pm.

The winner of the competition will have the exclusive opportunity to receive a one-on-one mentoring and coaching session with leading Australian barrister Katherine Brazenor.

Katherine practices in all areas of commercial and corporate law. In 2017, she was awarded Barrister of the Year at the Lawyers’ Weekly Women in Law Awards and later in 2018, was again awarded the “Barrister of the Year” at the Lawyers’ Weekly Australian Law Awards.

This is a fantastic opportunity for law students to develop their network and gain valuable insight into working at the Bar.

To find out more, visit Curia Legal on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Student support services

Did you know Monash University has a range of support services that you can access as a student? These include:

1. Life After Law School

Didn’t get the job you applied for?

Don’t know what career path you want?

Life After Law School is a podcast from Monash Law where you get to meet law graduates who are using their law degrees in amazing and sometimes unusual ways.

To hear their stories and career tips, listen here.

2. Indigenous Cadetship – Victorian Ombudsman

Indigenous Cadets at the Victorian Ombudsman are enthusiastic, collaborative employees who are motivated by the challenge of improving public administration in Victoria. They will work alongside highly skills professionals in an innovative work environment across the following areas:

1. Early resolution of complaints
2. Informal resolution of complex complaints
3. Complaint, protected disclosure and systemic investigations
4. Community engagement and outreach

To learn more and apply for the Indigenous Cadetship see here.

3. Public Interest Law Careers Guide

Are you a law student or lawyer wondering what lies beyond the corporate law path? Are you interested in public interest law?

The Public Interest Law Careers Guide is an online resource providing pivotal insight into further career pathways that are separate to the corporate law pathway.

Pursuing a public interest law career can be very rewarding and highlight different challenges, especially as the world grapples with global issues such as climate change, political leadership, human rights abuses and geographical displacement.

There are many opportunities for lawyers in non-profit organisations, statutory bodies and government in Victoria but it is often hard to find out what they are.

This new guide will present dozens of organisations for you to consider, plus testimonials from people who have made a career in public interest law work.

Learn more

4. What is it like to work in Tax Law?

What is Tax Law? What does a career in Tax Law actually look like?

Find out the answers to these questions, as well as many more in this interview with Michael Sempiol, Revenue Specialist at the State Revenue Office.

Encyclawpedia is a law student resource that aims to provide you with the information you need to choose your future career path: www.encyclawpedia.org

5. KPMG Tax Virtual Experience

1. Young Lawyers – ‘Why join an LIV Committee?’ Webinar (Thursday 8 October)

Find out why to join the LIV as a Young Lawyers member:

• Memberships
• Committees
• Policy Area
• Working Groups
• Editorial and Submission writing
• Education and social initiatives

Date: Thursday 8 October

Time: 6.00pm-7.30pm (please join by 5.30pm)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82682415414?pwd=K1JTS2s2SUhHK3B5WERiSkk5TGladz09

Meeting ID: 826 8241 5414

Passcode: 299516

Chair: Brad Woolstencroft (YL Manager)

Moderator: Alice Cooney (YL President)

2. Lunch & Learn Segment: Campus sustainability and the power of the student voice (Friday 9 October)

Meet three students from the Monash Association of Sustainability who will share their plans to inspire sustainable change within the student cohort.

They will introduce Paul Barton, who will explain how the University plans to reach Net Zero emissions by 2030.

Presenter(s): Travis Bubb, Lachlan McGrath and Isabelle Zhu-Maguire from the Monash Association of Sustainability

Date: Friday 9 October

Time: 11:30am to 1:00pm

Register here

3. Interview Skills Workshop (Tuesday 13 October)

As part of the AALA’s National Digital Events Series, the AALA invites you to attend this Career Workshop on interview skills.

The Career Workshop Series is an initiative specifically targeted at law students and graduates from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. It is intended to equip them with tangible career-oriented skills and knowledge, in order to help them overcome the additional obstacles faced in the job-hunting process associated with being from CALD backgrounds, and indeed, leverage their cultural backgrounds as a source of competitive advantage.

This session will take the form of an informal fireside chat with senior legal practitioners who have been decision-makers in recruitment processes at corporate and commercial firms, including:

• Gillian Woon, Special Counsel at Baker McKenzie;
• Natasha Toholka, Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright; and
• Tuanh Nguyen, Director (Legal) at PwC.

The topics intended to be explored include:

• preparing for interviews;
• responding to questions; and
• building rapport and establishing cultural fit.

There will be a 1 hour panel discussion, followed by 30 minutes of Q&A.

Zoom dial-in details will be provided in the confirmation email following registration.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a mock interview after the session.

Learn more

4. Sexism and the Law (Tuesday 13 October)

5. Global Stewardship in Practice (Wednesday 21 October)

Effective stewardship of investors covering hundreds of companies in global portfolios requires significant, specialist resources. Because of the associated costs and the fact that benefits of stewardship are shared and often occur many years after interventions, even large asset owners and managers rarely have put such resources in place.

This webinar by Dr Hans-Christoph Hirt, executive director of EOS at Federated Hermes (EOS), London, will focus on formalised collaborative engagement involving groups of investors as a solution to the costs/benefits dilemma of properly resourced stewardship activities across diversified portfolios.

Date: Wednesday 21 October

Time: 5.30pm – 6.45pm

RSVP here

6. Class actions, the governance landscape in Australia and the Myer decision (Monday 26 October)

7. ACCC seminar: Is protecting sunk investments the primary economic rationale for competition law? (Wednesday 28 October)

Monash student and staff event

What is the economic rationale for competition law? What is the economic harm that competition law is designed to address?

These questions are of fundamental importance for competition agencies or courts who seek to apply the law, and for public policy professionals seeking to reform the law.

In this talk the ACCC’s Dr Darryl Biggar will propose an alternative hypothesis as the economic foundation for competition law.

Learn more

1. How to be a Stand-Out Clerk (Monday 17 August)

This session from Baker McKenzie will support students undertaking the clerkship process or wanting to learn more about Baker McKenzie.

Bring a cuppa and join Ellen Leishman, Brett Walker, Emmanuel Respall, Kristina Hewetson and our Talent Management team who will share their top tips and answer all of your questions.

We look forward to sharing the Bakers experience with you and setting you up for clerkship success.

Date: Monday 17 August

Time: 4.00pm – 5.00pm

Register here

2. Developments in Environmental Law (Thursday 20 August)

Legal Buzz invites you to an exciting discussion with Associate Professor Gerry Nagtzaam about the changing landscape of environmental law.

Gerry is a world recognised environmental scholar and currently teaches International Environmental Law at Monash University.

In 2019, he attended the international COP25 conference to observe the negotiations, with a particular emphasis on the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.

We will be interviewing Gerry about his research, how environmental law has changed over the course of his career and how current students can get involved in environmental law, both now and in the future.

Date: Thursday 20 August

Time: 7:30pm

Register here

3. CLARS Law & Business Seminar Series: Role & Effectiveness of ASIC v the SEC (Monday 31 August)

The recent Hayne Royal Commission found ASIC’s enforcement activities were relatively toothless. After facing criticism, what reform does ASIC need and what lessons can we learn from the USA’s SEC

Date: Monday 31 August

Time: 4.30pm – 5.45pm

4. MSA – Free Weekly Art Classes

From mood boards and puzzle painting to rock painting and gratitude journals – MSA has you covered!

Hosted on Fridays 12-2pm (Week 2-10) by the MSA Art Committee.

Register Here

5. MSA – Free Weekly Drawing Sessions

Join MSA’s weekly drawing sessions where 2 artworks are chosen each week for the group to draw.

Check out the registration form for the artworks selected.

Hosted every Wednesday 2-4pm (Week 2-10) by the MSA Art Committee.

Register Here

6. Persist with purpose: Managing stress and motivation in your studies (Monday 7 September)

1. Duffy & Simon Clerkship Program 2020

1. Research Assistant – Transnational Criminal Law Group

The Transnational Criminal Law Group (TCLG) is looking to recruit current Monash Law students (LLB, JD, LLM or PhD) as Research Assistant(s) to provide research and administrative support for the Group, and to undertake research and advocacy support tasks.

Applications are now open and close on Friday 31 July at 5:00pm. This is a paid position.

About the TCLG

The Transnational Criminal Law Group is a research group in the Faculty of Law at Monash University. Our research addresses key challenges in criminal law and justice. Our work is doctrinal, socio-legal, and interdisciplinary, and is policy and practice-relevant.

Our research centres on these themes:

• transnational corporate criminal liability and accountability
• transnational enforcement
• the criminal trial, including improving courtroom communication and practice
• criminal law and technology

Education Requirements

• The applicant must be a current student in the Faculty of Law (LLB, JD, LLM or PhD) and should have completed at least two years of law studies.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Group Convenors, you will:

• Provide research and administrative support for the Group, including online events
• Undertake research and advocacy support tasks
• Contribute to the Group’s communications and publications

Key Selection Criteria

• Strong academic record and research skills
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated time management and organisational skills
• Experience working in an administrative role
• Demonstrated experience and/or interest in criminal law/justice

Hourly pay: HEW Level 5 – $45.32 per hour

Preferred Start and End Dates: 10 August – 31 Dec 2020   

Please ensure that your application includes:

• a 1-page cover letter explaining, based on the Key Selection Criteria, how you demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for the role
• a 2-page CV

Please email your application:

• to Prof. Liz Campbell, liz.campbell@monash.edu
• titled “Research Assistant – Transnational Criminal Law Group”
• by 5pm Friday 31 July 2020

2. PwC Legal Clerkship

Did you know PwC was recently recognised as the AFR’s Most Popular Clerkship Employer 2019? It’s an achievement we’re proud of as it shows our commitment to fostering your development as a Legal Clerk.

Through the Legal Clerkship you’ll build your skills and networks whilst working with our lawyers on client engagements. You’ll gain invaluable exposure to the fundamentals of commercial law in one or more of our key pillars – Corporate Advisory, Regulatory, Employer and Workplace Relations, Projects & Finance, and Legal Tax Services.

The projects you work on will see you learning from leading legal professionals as well as other business professionals who will help you to develop a broad skillset, giving you a headstart towards our Graduate Program.

Learn more

Applications close Monday 31 August 2020.

2. Monash Careers Expo (August 5-6)

3. Change Makers: Ethics in AI (Wednesday 12 August)

Join this enthralling discussion, moderated by Professor the Hon. Kevin Bell AM QC, on diverse aspects of AI ethics such as Australia’s AI Ethics Framework – released in 2019 by Data61 and underpinned by eight ethical AI principles.

The discussion will include Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, lead author of ‘Australia’s AI Ethics Framework’ and head of strategic foresight at Data61, Professor Liz Campbell from Monash Law, who has undertaken research in AI ethics and facial recognition technology, and Dr Campbell Wilson, the Associate Dean (International) of Monash Faculty of IT who will draw on his experience with AiLECS Lab, a partnership with the Australian Federal Police among others.

Date: Wednesday 12 August

Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Location: Zoom

RSVP: Register here

4.Your Future in Law (12-14 August)

Are you wondering whether it’s too early (or too late) to start taking the first steps in your career?

Now is the time to learn where your career could take you, how you can get yourself there and how you can manage your self-care on the journey.

Your Future in Law is a 3-part career series created by the Faculty of Law. It’s designed for all Monash Law students, no matter what stage you are at in your studies. The series is your opportunity to learn tangible skills from some of the industry’s best minds in career planning and recruitment.

Day 1: What career do I want after law school?

Date: Wednesday 12 August

Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Location: Zoom

RSVP: Register HERE

Get the inside word on how you can use your law degree in your career. You’ll hear firsthand from law graduates working as:

• In-house counsel at Toyota;
• Senior Associate commercial lawyer at Baker McKenzie; and
• Professional services Senior Consultant at KPMG.

Day 2: How can I ace the recruitment process?

Date: Thursday 13 August

Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Location: Zoom

RSVP: Register HERE

What’s the STAR technique? What’s my personal brand? Learn what employers are looking for in this Q&A featuring representatives from Gilbert + Tobin and Landers & Rogers. You’ll also learn how to improve your job prospects with tips and tricks from a current Monash JD student who has successfully gone through the clerkship process.

Day 3: Balancing your career and personal life

Date: Friday 14 August

Time: 10:00am – 11:30am

Location: Zoom

RSVP: Register HERE

How do you successfully balance your clerkship, internship or graduate applications with your study and personal life? Learn from professionals from Herbert Smith Freehills and Ashurst, as well as a professional counsellor who will provide insights on resilience, finding your career, balancing your personal life, and how to optimise your mental health and wellbeing while studying.

5. Whither the Implied Freedom of Political Communication? (Thursday 27 August)

Monash Law is honoured to present the 2020 Lucinda Lecture, to be delivered by The Hon Justice Geoffrey Nettle AC, High Court of Australia.

Justice Nettle will explain why it might be thought that, despite such differences of judicial opinion and the difficulties and uncertainties that are said to have attended the doctrine’s application, the implied freedom of political communication is soundly based in accepted constitutional principle. His Honour will also explain how the recent invocation of structured proportionality analysis as a test of “appropriateness and adaptedness” is likely to result in increased certainty in the doctrine’s application.

Date: Thursday 27 August

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: Zoom

RSVP: Register here

6. The Role & Effectiveness of ASIC versus the SEC (Monday 31 August)

Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) regulatory oversight of securities and financial markets increased considerably over time. However, the wisdom of this model has most recently been challenged by the Hayne Royal Commission as ASIC’s enforcement activities were found to be relatively toothless.

What can ASIC learn from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s regulatory structure and enforcement trends since the Global Financial Crisis?

Date: Monday 31 August

Time: 4:30pm – 5:45pm

Location: Zoom

RSVP: Register here

1. MGA Virtual Meetups (July/August)

Have you been sitting around staring at walls, waiting patiently for all the fun to start? Don’t wait any longer – your people are just a video chat away!

Our Virtual Meetups will connect you with a network of Monash graduate coursework students from different faculties. There’ll be games to play, prizes to be won and new friends to make!

To register and find a session at a time that suits you, please click here.

2. MGA Coursework Mentor Program

The Mentor Program will match new graduate coursework students with a current student from your faculty to support and guide you through your first semester.

The MGA coursework mentor program commences in Week 2 (w/c 10 August) and involves regular, guided check-ins with your mentor, who can help you to settle into university life by:

• sharing their knowledge and experiences;

• familiarising you with your faculty/school

• helping you navigate around University services;

• helping you build a student network.

To find out more about the program and apply by Friday 31 July click here.

1. Apply for The Accelerator

Do you want to make a difference in the world through launching your own business?

Applications for The Generator’s 2020 Accelerator Program are now open!

The Accelerator is an eight-week program for students, staff and alumni of Monash University to take their project, startup or social enterprise to the next level.

The program will run from Monday 31 August to Friday 23 October and includes:

• $10,000 in equity-free seed funding per team
• Weekly Masterclasses
• Mentoring from experienced Founders
• Founder Dinners with successful entrepreneurs
• Dedicated space in the brand new Generator co-working space on Clayton Campus
• Be guided by startup founder and investor Alan Jones, Entrepreneur-in-Residence for The Accelerator program.

Applications are now open and close 11:59pm Sunday 2 August.

Want to find out more? Book into the next ‘Ask Me Anything’ virtual session on Wednesday 29 July from 1:00-2:00pm.

Learn more

1. Q&A with former Chief Justice of Supreme Court [Updated registration link]

Please note: an email was sent recently featuring a broken registration link. Please use the correct registration link below.

You are invited to this exclusive and exciting event.

Prof the Hon Marilyn Warren AC QC had an inspiring and trail-blazing law career which saw her rise through the ranks and ultimately become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

She was the first female Chief Justice appointed to this position in both Victorian and Australian history.

Since her retirement from the Court, Prof Warren has joined Monash University as a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow.

This special event is your opportunity to ask Prof Warren your questions about her career journey and learn her tips for building resilience and finding success in your career.

Date: Tuesday 30 June
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Zoom
Register for the event here

Interviewers

• Cjay Aksoyoglu: Cjay is a current JD student and JD Peer Mentoring Coordinator (LSS).
• Simon D’Angelo: Simon is a recent JD graduate, recipient of the Chief Justice Marilyn Warren (Supreme Court) Prize for Best JD/LLM Student, and winner of the Planning and Environment category of the 2020 Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards.

2. Clerkship Masterclass

Are you about to undertaking a winter clerkship or traineeship? 

If so, don’t miss attending our Clerkship Masterclass.

The Masterclass is designed to deliver essential and practical skills relating to research, including:

• Writing
• Preparing memos
• Using legal databases
• Tips to work effectively during the Clerkship

3. Need Tax Return Help?

Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited Monash student volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax.

Appointments are available from the 1st of July – 31st of October and will be run on Zoom until further notice.

To make an appointment, visit https://msa.monash.edu/taxhelp  

4. Virtual Campus Tours, Website Tours, O Social Events  

MSA Volunteering is hosting an array of virtual orientation events and tours from mid-July.  

Including online campus tours, faculty website tours, Q&As, chat sessions, trivia nights, Netflix parties, a Virtual Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Virtual Monash Amazing Race.

All events are hosted by Monash students for Monash students.

For more information or to register, visit msa.monash.edu/events/orientation