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Welcome to the second edition of the Melbourne LLB Newsletter for 2009. The purpose of this publication is to inform you of key issues and events related to your studies. If you need any further clarification on anything, please contact the Melbourne Law School Student Centre on 8344 4475, or the contact listed.
meetings with associate dean (undergraduate)
Associate Professor Maureen Tehan, Associate Dean (Undergraduate), will be available to answer questions and discuss any issues students may have in relation to any aspect of the LLB at informal meetings to be held every fortnight during Semester 1, 2009.
You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain information on your course, discuss difficulties, make suggestions, and generally contribute to ensuring the LLB program works well and meets your needs.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 26 March 2009 and they will be held every two weeks (please note there will be no meeting on 23 April 2009). The meetings will be very informal and you can come along at any time between 1:00 and 2:00pm. The venue is Room 108, Melbourne Law School. Details of further meetings can be found on the online LLB calendar of events.
The International Role of the European Union
Speaker: Professor Panos Koutrakos, Professor of European Union Law, University of Bristol
When: Wednesday 18 March 2009 at 1:00 to 2:00pm
Where: G08, Melbourne Law School
Native Title – A Constitutional Shift?
Speaker: The Honourable Robert S French, Chief Justice, High Court of Australia
When: Tuesday 24 March 2009 at 12:45 to 1:45pm
Where: GM15, Melbourne Law School
Is Justice Possible for First Nation’s Peoples?
Speaker: Ms Patricia Turner AM, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Television
When: Tuesday 31 March 2009 at 12:45 to 1:45pm
Where: GM15, Melbourne Law School
Centipedes, Liars and Unconscious Bias
Speaker: The Honourable Justice Tony Pagone QC, Supreme Court of Victoria
When: Tuesday 7 April 2009 at 12:45 to 1:45pm
Where: GM15, Melbourne Law School
The Guest Lecture Series is a series of weekly lectures in law and legal practice for Melbourne Law School students. All LLB students are invited and strongly encouraged to attend all lectures in the Melbourne Guest Lecture Series.
Details of all forthcoming Guest Lectures for Semester 1, 2009, are available online.
The University Counselling Service is providing free workshops that are available to all students of the University of Melbourne. The workshops for Semester 1, 2009, include:
To find out more or to register for these workshops, see the Counselling Service website.
key thinkers seminar series 2009
Key Thinkers is a series of public lectures held every Thursday evening during the teaching semester. Academics from the University of Melbourne, with occasional guests, will give an hour-long talk on internationally well-known thinkers whose works have inspired their own. This will be followed by thirty minutes of questions and discussion. This is a cross-faculty initiative and the thinkers are chosen from very diverse fields and disciplines. The lecturers are all highly experienced presenters and the content of the lectures will be aimed at a lay audience but with enough complexity to also appeal to more specialized listeners.
Further details and a schedule are available in the flyer.
leo cussen institute: practical legal training information session
Leo Cussen Institute has been training law graduates for admission to legal practice since 1974 and is recognized by the legal profession as providing comprehensive and quality practical legal training for prospective entry-level lawyers.
When: Tuesday 17 March 2009 at 1:00 to 2:00pm
Where:
GM16, Melbourne Law School
RSVP: law-careers@unimelb.edu.au
Richard Bourke, Senior Fellow, Reprieve
Richard Bourke graduated in law from the University of Melbourne. He worked as a youth worker, solicitor and then as a highly successful criminal defence barrister in Australia before he went to Louisiana, first as a volunteer, and later to work as an attorney full time. As a Reprieve Fellow, Richard works in three southern states on cases that the state refuses to fund or under-funds. Richard is licensed to practice law in Texas, where he represents death row prisoners seeking to overturn their convictions and sentences. Richard is also permitted to practice law pro hac vice in Louisiana and Mississippi where he represents indigent defendants in their capital trials and seeks to help those on death row with their appeals. Richard consults regularly with other indigent defenders in Louisiana to assist them with their cases and conducts training to improve the quality of representation across the state.
Richard will be speaking on Reprieve, their work and internship possibilities.
When: Wednesday 25 March 2009 at 6:30 to 7:30pm
Where:
Room 102, Melbourne Law School
RSVP: law-careers@unimelb.edu.au
careers in environmental law seminar
Are you interested in a career in environmental law? The Environment Defenders Office is running a seminar which offers an inspiring panel of five environmental law professionals discussing career options and the skills and background needed to enter and advance in the field. There will also be an opportunity for asking questions.
Panellists are:
Further details are available in the flyer.
When: Tuesday 24 March 2009 at 5:45pm for 6:00pm start
Where: 60L Green Building,
Meeting Room 2, Ground Floor, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Bookings are essential, please email edovic@edo.org.au or phone 03 8341 3100.
seasonal clerkships - office of parliamentary counsel
The Office of Parliamentary Counsel provides a range of services in developing, drafting, and publishing legislation.
The primary role of the Office is to enable the implementation of government policy by transforming drafting instructions into Bills for Cabinet and then Parliament. Bills may deal with a diverse range of subjects, including constitutional law, administrative law, human rights law, tax law, environmental law, property law, and criminal law. All Statutory Rules that are made by, or approved by, the Governor in Council are settled or drafted by the Office and certified that they are within power by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. The Office also drafts rules of court and other statutory instruments on request. The Office provides advice to Government on matters relating to legislation or proposed legislation.
The Chief Parliamentary Counsel has the dual role of Government Printer and is responsible for updating statutes, preparing Victorian legislation for publication and managing printing contracts for legislation.
The Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel is an administrative office of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The Office offers vacation employment over summer for law students (maximum 2 positions), which is usually for 6 weeks either side of Christmas.
What sort of work will be undertaken?
Clerks may be asked to research case-law that is relevant to legislation being drafted in the Office. These research tasks will increase awareness of the inter-relationship between the common law and written law. Other duties may involve (under supervision), assisting in the settling of Regulations and drafting of legislation.
What benefits or opportunities do you offer to graduates and/or vacationers?
A summer clerkship at the Office offers the unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight into the mechanics of the legislative process and the dynamics of legislative governmental practices.
The nature of the work offers insight into all facets of the government including its structure, strategy, and policy. Clerks are able to follow the progress of Bills through the drafting process until Cabinet submission with the opportunity to contribute to discussions and the drafting process. Although the Bills remain confidential until introduced into Parliament, clerks will be privy to weekly meetings conducted between the Parliamentary Counsel to track the progress and priority of Bills before they are delivered to Cabinet.
Apart from drafting Bills and settling Regulations, the Office also researches judicial consideration of relevant laws to the drafting of Bills.
Clerks will be able to leave the office with a vastly improved knowledge of the scope of Victorian law, including its structure, how to find the latest law, how to track amendments and the inter-relationship of laws. Such knowledge can be invaluable to those later taking up legal practice or considering alternative careers working with the law.
How to Apply:
Contact Terry Evans, Manager, Business Administration, email terry.evans@dpc.vic.gov.au, tel 03 9651 2192, fax 03 9651 2107.
Closing date for applications: 27 March 2009 for Summer 2009/10.
Not sure whether the legal research skills you've developed through your degree will be good enough for practice?
The Law School's Legal Research Skills Adviser, Natalie Wieland, is providing a four part series to help get you ready to work in a firm. This will provide you with the skills you need to be both effective and efficient when taking on research tasks. When completing a clerkship or traineeship, you will be required to complete numerous research tasks. By having the necessary skills you will become a highly valued employee and will be called on regularly to participate in client matters.
Each session will consist of a one hour lecture and a research task to be completed in class, working in groups.
At the completion of the four workshops you will receive certification that you have successfully attended and completed the tasks.
When: Friday 27 March 2009 at 9:30am to 4:30pm
Where: Large Computer Lab, Law Library
Session 1 - Understanding Legal Resources
This session will take you through legal research resources, ensuring that you are aware of what exists in and beyond Melbourne University. This session will help you:
Session 2 - Understanding Authority, Currency and Developing Methodologies
This session will take you through the importance of having sound methodologies that apply to all resources, whether they are paper-based or electronic. This session will help you:
Session 3 - How to Refine the Task
In practice you will be asked to do a variety of research tasks for different purposes. This session will help you ask the right questions so you can spend your time effectively. This session will help you:
Session 4 - How to Create a Research Trail
In practice all research you conduct needs to be charged out so you need to be accountable. This session will help you:
How to Book:
To register for the series, please click here.
Please note places are limited.
student ambassador leadership program
The Student Ambassador Leadership Program (SALP) is an extra-curricular program which provides opportunities for young people to create networks and develop their qualities and skills via active engagement within the University and volunteering within the wider community.
SALP aims to:
Applications for the 2009 intake close on 22 March 2009. Students interested in applying must attend an information session. Further details are available on the SALP website.
thinking about going on exchange?
Come along to the Law Information Session on:
Thursday 26 March 2009 at 1:00 to 2:00pm, GM16, Melbourne Law School
A Melbourne Global Mobility representative and the Law Exchange Contacts will be on hand to answer all of your questions about undertaking an exchange through the Law School. Come along to find out more!
To register for this information session, please visit the Melbourne Global Mobility website.
global mobility week and exchange fair
If you are considering completing part of your University of Melbourne degree overseas, make sure you check out some of the many events and activities during Global Mobility Week, which runs from Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April 2009.
There are opportunities to speak directly with staff and students from many of the University’s international partner institutions at the Exchange Fair on Thursday 2 April in the Grand Buffet Hall, Union House. Some former University of Melbourne exchange students will also be available to answer questions and speak about their experiences studying overseas.
For more information, visist the Global Mobility Week website.
Ms Lorna Stirling was a Music Director in the Melbourne University Drama Club in the 1940s. On her death in 1956 she bequeathed funds to the University for the purpose of promoting international student relationships through the creation of scholarships for the exchange of students between the University of Melbourne and other universities. The fund provides a one-off payment of between $500 and $4,000.
In order to be considered for a scholarship you must:
The closing date is Friday 15 May 2009 at 12.00pm. Further details are available online.
scholarships and prizes (updated)
Applications are open for the following Melbourne Law School scholarships and prizes:
Melbourne Law School Scholarships are awarded to four law students based on academic performance in legal studies prior to 2009 and demonstrated financial need. These scholarships, valued at $4,000 each, will be awarded to students enrolled in the Melbourne JD or the LLB. Further details. The closing date for applications is 27 March 2009. Download the application form for this scholarship here.
The Valerie and Lawrence Kennedy Scholarship is awarded to mature age undergraduate and Juris Doctor students based on academic performance and financial need (ie, being in receipt of Centrelink benefits or other demonstrable need). The scholarship is valued at $4,000. Further details. The closing date for applications is 27 March 2009. Download the application form for this scholarship here.
The Alastair Nicholson Memorial Scholarship, which is to mark His Honour’s distinguished career and his commitment to social justice, including advancing the interests of indigenous Australians, is awarded to an indigenous undergraduate student based on significant academic achievement and financial need. The scholarship is valued at $2,000. Further details. The closing date for applications is 27 March 2009. Download the application form for this scholarship here.
The Deborah and Colin Golvan Prize, named for Colin Golvan, SC, and his wife Deborah Freiberg in recognition of their commitment to education for indigenous students, offers tangible support to an indigenous student to successfully complete their LLB study. The prize is donated by the Leo and Mina Fink Fund in recognition of the financial difficulty faced by indigenous students undertaking undergraduate study. The Leo and Mina Fink Fund benefits worthy educational programs within Victoria. The Deborah and Colin Golvan Prize is awarded to an indigenous undergraduate student based on significant academic achievement in the face of adversity. The prize is valued at $1,000. Further details. The closing date for applications is 27 March 2009. Download the application form for this prize here.
The John and Alison Kearney Overseas Scholarship for students undertaking an exchange or study abroad, valued at $5,000 each. Further details. The closing date for applications is 27 March 2009. Download the application form for this scholarship here.
The Victorian Bar: Justice Kenneth Hayne Scholarship will be awarded to a law student based on academic ability and demonstrated financial need. A scholarship valued at $4,000 will be awarded. Further details. The closing date for applications is 27 March 2009. Download the application form for this scholarship here.
Further scholarships and prizes may become available shortly and will be advertised in future editions of the LLB Newsletter and on the LLB website.
For enquiries, please contact Roger Nelson, Advancement Officer, Melbourne Law School, tel 03 8344 4498, email renelson@unimelb.edu.au
chinese government scholarship
Students at the University of Melbourne are invited to apply to be nominated for one of several scholarships offered by the Chinese government to enable Australians to undertake study in China.
It is not necessary to speak Chinese, as language tuition, if needed, is included in the scholarship.
Applicants must be Australian citizens and may be undergraduate or postgraduate students. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Those wishing to undertake postgraduate studies in China are especially encouraged to submit an application.
Applications must be lodged with Melbourne Scholarships, Third Floor, John Smyth Building, by Wednesday 1 April 2009.
A link to further information and an application form is available on the Melbourne Scholarships website.
students in free enterprise recruitment
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is an international network through which university students, with the assistance of academic and business leaders, manage a portfolio of projects which operate on the principles of community engagement, knowledge transfer, and sustainability. Their aim is to deliver long-term, positive outcomes to disadvantaged community groups, whilst developing their own skills as socially responsible business leaders.
The University of Melbourne SIFE are currently recruiting for 10 positions.
For more information and to download the application documents, please visit
the SIFE
website.
Please direct all queries to hr@unimelbsife.org.au
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 22 March 2009.
aurora native title internship program
The Aurora Native Title Internship Program introduces law students to career opportunities in native title, policy, social justice and Indigenous affairs and aims to provide assistance to under-resourced and over-worked Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs) and Native Title Service Providers (NTSPs) as well as various other organizations working in these areas including Indigenous corporations, government bodies, community groups, and not-for-profit and policy organizations. Most NTRB and NTSP placements involve native title and land right-related work. Interns working in this area can also expect to deal with areas of law as diverse as constitutional law to local government regulations. |
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Applications are open to all law students who have completed, or are currently completing the property law component of their legal studies and are interested in working in native title, policy and Indigenous affairs. Most internships run for 5 to 6 weeks over the June to August and November to March university breaks. They are a full-time position usually around 40 hours per week and are unpaid.
Applications for the winter 2009 internships close on Friday 27 March 2009. Further details about the program and the application process are available online.
Tamsin Webster has written an article about her experience as an Aurora Intern. Her article can be downloaded here.
There will also be a presentation by former interns on Wednesday 18 March 2009 from 1:00 to 2:00pm in Room G27.
From Monday 16 March to Friday 20 March 2009, the University of Melbourne will be celebrating its diverse population with a lively program of events organized by staff and students. This important event celebrates the rich diversity within the University community and promotes the inclusivity of all staff and students at Melbourne. Further details, including a programme of events, is available on the Diversity Week website.
Please send any feedback/comments or suggestions you have about this newsletter to Tom Hewitt-McManus.
previous editions of LLB newsletter
Previous editions of the newsletter are available on the Melbourne LLB website.
