22 February 2017: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying law at the University of Canberra will have greater interaction with the ACT’s legal system under a new mentoring program.
Students two or more years into their degree will be given access to court rooms, law firms and barristers’ chambers as part of the program, exposing them to the inner workings of the justice system.
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Back row L-R: Associate dean (education) Scott Pearsall, ACT Law Society president Sarah Avery, ACT Law Courts principal registrar and CEO Philip Kellow, ACT Chief Justice Helen Murrell and Professor Peter Radoll. Front row L-R: Ken Archer and dean of the ANU College of Law Professor Stephen Bottomley. Photo supplied.
The program is designed to prepare students for the workforce by having them shadow a judge, magistrate, barrister or solicitor for at least a week.
The University of Canberra, the Australian National University, the ACT Bar Association and the Law Society of the ACT have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the program.
The University’s dean of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership and Strategy, Peter Radoll, said the program was an excellent opportunity for students to make valuable contacts within the legal system.
“Work-integrated learning is central to many of our degrees at the University of Canberra and I’m delighted to be able to offer our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students this opportunity to gain valuable work experience,” Professor Radoll said.
President of the ACT Bar Association, Ken Archer, added that the partnership would create exciting opportunities for students to get a taste for what lies ahead in their career.
“It will also create mentoring opportunities that will assist the participant’s transition into legal careers,” Mr Archer said.
Students interested in a placement should contact the head of the school of law and justice Lorana Bartels or Peter Radoll.
