Issue 11 – June 2014

Melbourne Law School has always been at the forefront of innovation in legal education. We were reminded of our pioneering role at the conference last month to pay tribute to the life and work of the late Rt Hon. Sir Zelman Cowen AK GCMG GCVO QC. Sir Zelman's vision of legal education, and the innovations introduced during his term as dean from 1951 to 1966, laid the foundations for the international esteem in which the Law School is held today. I enjoyed the opportunity to join alumni, friends, academics and international experts to reflect broadly on the teaching of law and share ideas as we shape the law schools of the future. It was a very special honour that Lady Cowen, and members of the Cowen family, were able to attend and participate so generously in the various events.

In June, a former "fairly bolshy" student activist will take up the position of Director of International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva.

When JD student Emilia Budisavljevic received a phone call to confirm that she would intern for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Fiji, she realised she was in for a unique encounter,

A conference at Melbourne Law School has paid tribute to the life and work of the late Rt Hon. Sir Zelman Cowen AK GCMG GCVO QC, an outstanding leader whose vision helped usher in a new era of legal education in Australia.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote "…to know even one life has breathed easier, because you have lived. This is to have succeeded". For many alumni of Melbourne Law School the spirit of giving their time and skills has become a part of who they are.

When Melbourne Law School made the call for alumni under 40 years of age to talk about their community volunteering for this story, more than 150 nominations were received in a very short space of time – showing that the spirit of giving back is a strong part of the alumni community.

Melbourne Law School is taking its legal expertise to the world with a new course on common law delivered at major universities across China.

As we approach the centenary of the outbreak of World War I, a new book has captured a part of Australia's military history that was in danger of being lost.

Justice in arms: military lawyers in the Australian Army's first one hundred years uncovers the role of Army legal officers in Australian and expeditionary operations. Edited by Associate Professor Bruce Oswald with Colonel Jim Waddell, the book brings together nine authors to look at how lawyers in military service have contributed to the development of law and the conduct of military operations in war and peace.

A career within the machinery of government has long attracted lawyers - not just on the political side but in legal, governance, policy, strategy and management roles across government departments and funded agencies.

The University of Cambridge is the latest addition to international partnerships established by Melbourne Law School with Oxford University, NYU School of Law and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Katherine Abrat (BSc 1997, LLB(Hons 1997) who is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong and has been described as one of the leading women in hedge funds talks about her path from law school.

The Hon Justice GT (Tony) Pagone, a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, has been awarded a doctor of laws degree (LLD) in the graduation ceremony held on 15 March.

Professor John Tobin has been presented with the Paul Baker Award at the Law Institute of Victoria Awards. He was recognised for his extraordinary work, both within the Law School and beyond, in the promotion of human rights.

Amy Frew (JD 2013) has been awarded the 2014 Chief Justice's Medal for Excellence and Community Service. The medal is offered to one Victorian law student each year who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to community services.

Professor Ian Malkin has won the Award for Outstanding Leadership of University Teaching. The award is conferred annually by the University of Melbourne to recognise outstanding contributions tostudent learning.

James Merralls has been the editor of the Commonwealth Law Reports for 45 years. Now, his name will be associated with a new Melbourne Law School visiting fellowship that will bring leading scholars to Australia.