Occasions rather than events
In June this year, in partnership with DLA Piper, Melbourne Law School celebrated its inaugural John Middleton Scholar at an event held at the firm’s Melbourne office. The scholarship, largely funded by alumni, supports students from diverse and regional backgrounds to study at MLS.
Then, in September, leading defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC headlined an anticipated ‘Back to Law School’ evening as part of the James Merralls Fellowship in Law Lecture. Registrations quickly exceeded capacity and we were thrilled to welcome over 200 alumni back to the law school. The Melbourne Law School Foundation Board has been a crucial think tank behind initiatives such as these.
James Waters leds hosts the audience questioning at the 2025 James Merralls Fellowship in Law lecture.
Founded in 1984, the Board was established to encourage and promote excellence in education, study, teaching, and research at MLS. Scholarship initiatives and alumni events remain a core part of its remit.
Barrister and Foundation Board member James Waters champions the value of connection and the role of the alumni community in shaping positive change at MLS.
He describes the Board’s overarching objective as developing and implementing targeted alumni initiatives and programs that are relevant and valuable to MLS’s alumni. “The Board is a key channel for alumni to influence the direction of the School,” he says.
“A core part of our remit is to foster the collegiality that’s woven into the fabric of MLS and to be that conduit for alumni in Australia and across the globe - and to continue supporting an institution that gave many of us our start in the legal profession.”
“The James Merralls Lecture with Sue Chrysanthou SC was amazing. I know so many of my fellow alumni had a really positive experience. The ‘Back to Law School’ component, with tours led by current JD students, was a lot of fun and the response was great.”
“Earlier in the year, the John Middleton Scholarship celebration reflected exactly what this Board aims to achieve—to help reduce the financial and demographic barriers that prevent talented students from studying law.”
Donors and alumni celebrate the study of the innaugral John Middleton Scholar, in partership with DLA Piper, hosted at the firm's Melbourne office.
Mr Waters says the Board hopes to channel the societal impact of the MLS alumni community through such scholarship initiatives and collegial occasions. His own motivation, he explains, stems from recognising the opportunities his MLS education afforded him.
“I can trace my start in law back to MLS,” he says.
“I’ve been a barrister for a decade now, but the leg-ups we all need in life, for me, came from the people I met at MLS. I’m sure many of them also received their own leg-ups from others they met here.”
“My graduating cohort was quite close. That closeness was beneficial not only academically but socially too. When I speak with my former classmates, I see they’re still passionate about MLS. The Foundation Board tries to capture that enthusiasm with occasions, rather than just ‘events’.”
As Australian society evolves, so too does the demographic of MLS students. Increasingly, talented students from diverse regions and backgrounds are transitioning from students to alumni. Mr Waters notes the Board is energised by this diversity and the new perspectives it brings.
“Youth and diversity are always energisers,” he says. “We want to engage with people from the moment they finish their studies at MLS, through their professional careers, and even as they consider life after law.”
In 2027, Melbourne Law School will celebrate its 170th anniversary. The Foundation Board is already exploring opportunities to engage with alumni as the milestone approaches.
“What a great opportunity to celebrate MLS and its people this will be,” says Mr Waters.
The Melbourne Law School Foundation Board membership is:
Mr Neil Young KC
Foundation Board Co-Chair
Barrister, Victorian Bar
Melbourne Law School alumnus 1973
Foundation Board member from 2014
Mr David Laidlaw
Foundation Board Co-Chair
Melbourne Law School alumnus 1976
Foundation Board member from 2019
Mr Philip Crutchfield KC
Foundation Board Member
Barrister, Victorian Bar
Melbourne Law School alumnus 1986
Foundation Board member from 2015-2016, 2020
Ms Emma Hossack
Foundation Board Member
CEO, Medical Software Industry Association
Melbourne Law School alumna 1986
Foundation Board member from 2021
Ms Andrejka Kapusta
Foundation Board Member
In-house Counsel, OneDigital (Wesfarmers)
Melbourne Law School alumna 2008
Foundation Board member from 2021
Ms Stella Loong
Foundation Board Member
Corporate Counsel, CenITex
Melbourne Law School alumna 2010
Foundation Board member from 2021
Ms Sonia Petering
Foundation Board Member
Chair Vitrafy Life Sciences Ltd and member, Vic. Council, AICD
Melbourne Law School alumna 1993
Foundation Board member from 2021
Mr James Waters
Foundation Board Member
Barrister, Victorian Bar
Melbourne Law School alumnus 2012
Foundation Board member from 2021
Associate Professor Gary Cazalet
Foundation Board Member
MLS Co-Director of Studies, Dispute Resolution
MLS Co-Director of the Digital Citizens Research Network
MLS Director, Civil Justice Research Group
Foundation Board member from November 2020
Professor Heather Douglas AO
Foundation Board Member
MLS Associate Dean (Advancement and Engagement)
Fellow, Academy of Social Science in Australia and the Australian Academic of Law
Mr Michael Perez
Foundation Board Member
Tax Partner
King Wood Mallesons
Melbourne Law School alumnus 1990
Foundation Board member from November 2025
Mr Henry Dow
Foundation Board Member
Lawyer
Marrawah Law
Melbourne Law School alumnus 2018
Foundation Board member from November from 2025
Mr Alexander Mackinnon
Foundation Board Member
Partner, Melbourne Corporate Group
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Melbourne Law School alumnus 2009
Foundation Board member from November 2025
Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs AC
Foundation Board Member
Melbourne Law School alumna 1968
Foundation Board member from April 2025
Professor Michelle Foster
Foundation Board Member
Dean, Melbourne Law School
Foundation Board member from October 2024