Diverse careers in the law

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Diverse careers in the law

Monday, 11 July 2022

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Students embark on legal studies assuming that upon graduation their law degree will enable them to embark upon careers in mainstream legal practice but without making further enquiry into any further career opportunities. There is, on the one hand, a surfeit of material to guide students towards this outcome, and, correspondingly, a dearth of material which confronts the idea that a law degree might lead to a satisfying career other than in mainstream practice.

Recognising this hiatus, the law discipline of SBL and Leo Cussen Centre for Law partnered to present a panel discussion ‘Alternate Career Paths in Law’ in June last year. As a result of the outstanding success of that event, the Law Discipline and the Leo Cussen Centre for Law again proudly partnered to present a panel discussion ‘Diverse Careers in the Law’ held at Council Chambers on 30 June 2022.

The focus of the panel discussion was the same, to confront the hiatus in knowledge on the part of students who are unaware of the many rich opportunities that present themselves to graduates who upon completion of legal studies and Practical Legal Training but who are keen to explore career opportunities outside mainstream law. The subtle difference in the title of the discussion, from ‘Alternate Careers’ in 2021 to ‘Diverse Careers’ this year, 2022, was to highlight the idea that the opportunities are ‘diverse’ indeed.

Underlining the diversity of career opportunities, the panel comprised four law graduates and present students, Femke Elferink, Jo Scullin, Sarah Hepburn and Suzanne Bundesen, whose shared characteristics only were that they were ECU law graduates or students currently engaged in very different careers, from providing strategic advice in the resources sector (Ms. Scullin), contract management with a large organisation providing services in the offshore and gas industry (Ms. Hepburn), Human Resources and Employee Relations Advisor employed by a service provider of support services for people with disabilities (Ms. Bundesen) and Registry Officer at the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission (Ms. Elferink).

The panel was perfectly complemented by Mr. Alex Giannopoulos, manager industry engagement and careers of Leo Cussen Centre for Law, who was uniquely positioned to provide his insights into the very question under discussion.

The event was an epic success. Comments included: a fantastic robust discussion on all aspects of the law; a great event.. I really enjoyed the networking; a fabulous initiative; a great event (from a different attendee)’ a really good insight into their professional and personal lives (of the presenters) and how they navigate both; I learnt a lot…

Given the importance and topicality of the subject matter and the hugely enthusiastic reception in 2021 and this year, the law discipline intend to run the event again next year.

The Law Discipline and School of Business and Law would like to warmly thank the speakers and attendees for making the evening a great success. Special thanks, as always, go to our friends at Leo Cussen Centre for Law for supporting the event and to Alex for taking time out to attend it and to provide us with his invaluable insights.

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