Issue 5 – May 2011

In my new role as Dean I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you at public lectures and events.

I repeatedly come away struck by the diverse accomplishments of our alumni and their generosity in sharing their time and talents with the Law School. I look forward to getting to know more of you over the coming year.

It is an exciting time to lead Melbourne Law School. Supported by its talented staff, students and alumni, I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to this vibrant and remarkable law school.

Melbourne Law School researchers pursue a range of significant and important topics. Just how significant was confirmed earlier this year when the Law School was ranked "well above world standard" for its research.

For generations of students, Professor Emeritus Harold Ford AM (LLB 1948, LLM 1949, HonLLD 1987) was an inspiring teacher; for his colleagues, he was a modest and generous collaborator. Now the former dean of Melbourne Law School has lent his name to the Melbourne JD Harold Ford Scholarships.

Melbourne Law School Careers Office runs a successful mentor program for first-year law students. SO what's it like to be a mentor? Some of our alumni share their insights into the program, now in its third year.

Melbourne Law School student Heidi Edwards set out on her summer break with the intention of finding out more about international criminal law. After three months working in Cambodia, she has a remarkable story to tell.

Professor Mark Hall, a leading scholar of health law and policy and bioethics in the United States, wants to make it easier for doctors and patients to discuss medical costs.

Associate Professor Rufus Black (LLB(Hons) 1991) oversees a community of 365 students as Master of Ormond College.

Melbourne Law School alumnus, the Hon. Alex Chernov AO QC, has been sworn in as the new Governor of Victoria.

FORMER Supreme Court judge and University of Melbourne Chancellor Mr Alex Chernov was inaugurated last month as the 28th Governor of Victoria.

"We congratulate Mr Chernov and wish him well as he begins his new appointment," said Dean of Melbourne Law School, Professor Carolyn Evans.

To meet the global health challenges of the 21st century, the position of the World Health Organization (WHO) needs to be strengthened, according to internationally respected global health expert Professor Lawrence Gostin.

Masatoshi Suzuki is learning Mandarin. Having just graduated from Melbourne Law School, the Japanese commercial lawyer will soon begin working for a Chinese law firm in Shanghai.

Students from this year's JD class come from diverse professional and educational backgrounds, from Melbourne, Australia and around the world.

The Wednesday Lectures, hosted by Raimond Gaita, are coming to Melbourne Law School.

Professor Raimond Gaita hosted a public lecture series, which became affectionately known in Melbourne as The Wednesday Lectures, for ten years on behalf of the School of Philosophy at Australian Catholic University.

"Philanthropy and the concept of giving are part of the Australian psyche and particularly so in Melbourne. This city and its premier university have prospered due to the generosity of generations of its citizens…