As we move towards the end of 2014 I am pleased to reflect on a very good year for the Law School. We have maintained our ranking as one of the top ten law schools in the world; continued to host a range of eminent and inspirational experts and leaders such as the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and the Rt Hon. Lord Dyson, MR; and, launched new initiatives to enrich our courses. One such initiative reflecting our strong engagement with the legal profession is the establishment of our first joint clinic with a law firm. The Sustainability Business Clinic with Ashurst builds on our growing public law clinical and internships program, which provide students with work skills while also serving the community. In this issue of MLS News we look at how this clinic has been working with businesses and non-profit entities to transition to a sustainable future.
I hope that many of you have already heard of our 2015 Gala Dinner for the Law School at the Mural Hall on the 7th February 2015. The Melbourne University Law School Foundation Board and I have given much thought to the right sort of opportunity to bring together our community. We are hoping this will be the first of a series of biennial gala dinners which acknowledge our outstanding alumni community and their connection to the University. In support of this event, Dr Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the highest ranking Australian at the United Nations, has generously agreed to give the address. I hope you will join our Foundation Board and me for what is shaping up to be a wonderful evening.
After the last issue of MLS News we wrote to you and invited you to participate in a survey about the publication. We want to ensure that the content is what you want. Thank you to the large number of you who took the time to respond to the survey. This information is helping us not only to shape our publications but also our programming to alumni for the future. I was pleased to hear from the results of the survey that 76% think that MLS News strengthens their connection to the Law School. We will draw on your responses to shape future content to make it more relevant to you.
I am looking forward to continuing to build our relationships with alumni in 2015. Early in February we will welcome back Professor Bryan Stevenson as a guest speaker and to launch his new book. In April, the Law School will be visited by Professor Paul Brand, a world-renowned medieval legal historian who will be here to help us celebrate the 800 year anniversary of the Magna Carta as part of his Miegunyah Fellowship. But first our Gala Dinner in February – I hope I will see you there.