Message from the Dean

By Michael Crommelin AO
Dean, Melbourne Law School
Zelman Cowen Professor of Law

Dear Alumni and Friends,

It is my pleasure to bring you this edition of Melbourne Law School News.

This publication aims to provide you with a snapshot of Melbourne Law School. I hope it will also give you insight into ways in which members of the Law School family are already currently involved, serving to inspire you to consider how you might like to be part of the many stimulating activities occurring both within and without the Law School building at any time.

This year we celebrate our 154th commencing class. It's a wonderful achievement of which we're very proud. We wish our newest members of the Law School family, characterized by diversity, all the best for their studies and future careers.

The student experience can be greatly enriched by opportunities available through international partnerships. On page 4 you can read about one such rewarding partnership with Oxford University, which has seen the emergence of the combined Melbourne Juris Doctor/Oxford Bachelor of Civil Law program.

Similarly, marvellous opportunities available to students through internships and mentoring can significantly enrich the learning experience. We are indebted to those of you who have shown your support by joining as mentors and offering internships.

Notable research is currently being carried out by our academics and students. You can read about the different ways in which the Law School is involved in highly topical research. In addition, many of our students are engaged in practical, deeply humane, endeavours. 

The Law School organises a large number of public events throughout the year and I extend a warm invitation to you to join us for one or more of them. In the second half of the year we look forward to the very exciting prospect of a visit from the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honourable John G. Roberts, Jr, who will deliver an international public lecture at the Law School on 27 July 2010. For details of the visit by the Chief Justice and other events, please refer to page 17.

Finally, the value of the Law School's offerings to students would be very different were it not for the generous contributions made by alumni and friends each year. Please see page 18 for our Honour Roll recognising these valued donors.

Yours Sincerely,

Michael Crommelin AO, Dean
Zelman Cowen Professor of Law

This article originally appeared in MLS News, Issue 3, May 2010.