Orientation
JD Orientation events
Explore the full program for all students below. All events will be hosted online via Zoom.
Wednesday 3 February 2021
Come and meet the Dean, Associate Dean and Course Director who will provide you with an overview of the JD and what to expect for the duration of your course. Hear from current JD students and learn about the extra support services available throughout your student life.
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
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9.30am
Welcome to Country
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
9.45am
Dean and Associate Dean's welcome
A formal welcome to the Juris Doctor Program by Melbourne Law School's Dean - Professor Pip Nicholson and Associate Dean - Associate Professor Arlen Duke
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
10am
Student panel
Current JD students will share their insights and advice on how to thrive in the JD program
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
11am
Break
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
11.15am
Legal Method and Reasoning subject overview
Presented by Subject Coordinator - Professor Ian Malkin
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
11.45am
Legal Academic Skills Centre
Presented by Associate Professor in Legal Writing and Academic Skills - Associate Professor Chantal Morton
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
12pm
Student wellbeing and professionalism
Presented by Assistant Dean Teaching and Learning - Judith Marychurch
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
12.30pm
Library
Introduction to the MLS Library and quiz
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
12.35pm
Lunch break
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
1.30pm
Occupational health and safety briefing
Learn about important emergency procedures and safety information at the Law school
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
1.35pm
Melbourne Law School building virtual tour
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
2pm
Student association presentations
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
2.30–3.15pm
Oration lecture
Presented by the Hon Anthony North QC, Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission
- Wednesday 3 February 2021
-
3.30pm
Conclude
Thursday 4 February 2021
- Thursday 4 February 2021
-
10am
International student panel
Hear from fellow international JD students about their experience and ask them anything about being a student in the JD.
- Thursday 4 February 2021
-
10am–12pm
Drop-in sessions
Check out the offerings we have from the Legal Academic Skills Centre and our Mentoring program in these casual drop-in sessions, and have the opportunity to ask our Library staff any questions you may have.
Drop-in sessions in breakout rooms:
- Library
- Legal Academic Skills Centre
- Mentoring
11am–12pm
Drop-in session: Course questions11am–12pm
Drop-in session: Meet with student associations
Friday 5 February 2021
- Friday 5 February 2021
-
11am-1pm
Law Students Society online social activity
Join the Melbourne University Law Students' Society for a fun social activity where you’ll get a chance to meet with some of your peers in a relaxed and welcoming setting. There’ll be plenty of ice-breakers and games which will help you to feel comfortable and connected with the first-year cohort. See you there!
MLM Orientation events
Select an event to see the list of activities for that day, or explore the full program below.
Orientation for full-time students
All full-time orientation events will be hosted online via Zoom.
- Day 1: Welcome to Melbourne Law School / getting IT ready
Monday 19 July 2021 - Day 2: Australian Legal System / program tips from teaching staff / Law Library
Tuesday 20 July 2021 - Day 3: Academic skills for success / wellbeing, professionalism and academic integrity
Wednesday 21 July 2021 - Day 4: Research strategies
Thursday 22 July 2021 - Day 5: Common Law Legal Reasoning / career services and mentoring / legal research
Friday 23 July 2021
Register for full-time student orientation
Skills workshops for all MLM students
Multiple dates
Hosted at Melbourne Law School or online via Zoom
MLM Orientation Day 1
- Monday 19 July 2021
-
12 – 12.30pm
Welcome to Melbourne Law School
Professor Pip Nicholson, Dean of Melbourne Law School
Professor Belinda Fehlberg, Associate Dean (Melbourne Law Masters)
- Monday 19 July 2021
-
12.30 – 2pm
Student life at Melbourne Law School
Meet the Melbourne Law Masters Student Association (MLMSA) and hear from a panel of current MLM students who will share their experiences at MLS with you and will try to answer any questions you may have.
- Monday 19 July 2021
-
2 – 3pm
Socialising and networking
Meet your fellow MLM cohort and socialise in the breakout rooms.
- Monday 19 July 2021
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3 – 4pm
Getting IT ready
Come along to this information session and Q+A on everything you need to know about using IT at MLS, obtaining Student IT assistance and free software.
MLM Orientation Day 2
- Tuesday 20 July 2021
-
12 – 2pm
Australian Legal System - Q+A Session
This session is an opportunity to discuss any questions or comments that arose after reviewing the resources on the Australian Legal System.
Hosted by Natalie Wieland
- Tuesday 20 July 2021
-
2 – 3pm
Socialising and networking
Meet your fellow MLM cohort and socialise in the breakout rooms.
- Tuesday 20 July 2021
-
3 – 3.45pm
Tips from teaching staff
Interactive discussion with MLS teaching staff as they share tips on how to thrive in the MLM program
- Tuesday 20 July 2021
-
3.45 – 4pm
Law Library essentials
An overview of what you need to know to make the most of the Law Library’s amazing print and online collections and the Law Library staff’s expertise.
MLM Orientation Day 3
- Wednesday 21 July 2021
-
12 – 1.30pm
Interactive workshops: skills for success in the MLM program
Overview of legal academic skills and the LASC services.
Reading with purpose: how to get the important information from your class materials with a focus on case law.
Hosted by Associate Professor Chantal Morton
- Wednesday 21 July 2021
-
1.30 – 2pm
Wellbeing, professionalism and academic integrity
Hear about the wellbeing support services available to you at the law school from our Assistant Dean, Teaching and Learning Judith Marychurch.
- Wednesday 21 July 2021
-
2 – 2.30pm
Socialising and networking
Meet your fellow MLM cohort and socialise in the breakout rooms.
- Wednesday 21 July 2021
-
2.30 – 4pm
Interactive workshops: skills for success in the MLM program
Continued with Associate Professor Chantal Morton
MLM Orientation Day 4
- Thursday 22 July 2021
-
12 – 2pm
Research strategies
This interactive workshop will get you thinking about implementing strategies that will maximise your research.
Hosted by Natalie Wieland
- Thursday 22 July 2021
-
2 – 3pm
Socialising and networking
Meet your fellow MLM cohort and socialise in the breakout rooms.
MLM Orientation Day 5
- Friday 23 July 2021
-
12 – 2pm
Interactive workshops: skills for success in the MLM program
Common Law Legal Reasoning
Hosted by Associate Professor Chantal Morton
- Friday 23 July 2021
-
2 – 3pm
Socialising and networking
Meet your fellow MLM cohort and socialise in the breakout rooms.
- Friday 23 July 2021
-
3 – 3.15pm
Career services and mentoring overview
Hear about the MLS Alumni and Mentoring Program from our Graduate Services and Careers team.
- Friday 23 July 2021
-
3.15 – 4.30pm
Legal research with the Law Library
Our Law Librarians will demonstrate tools for note-taking, managing your references, other time-saving ways to find information and answer your questions about the Law Library.
Skills workshops for all MLM students
The standalone sessions are fast-paced workshops that cover:
- the basic elements of writing a legal research essay
- preparing for a take-home exam
The same material and activities are covered on multiple dates in order to provide options for students who are joining us from around the world. If you are not able to attend a session, the materials can be found in the Legal Academic Skills Centre LMS Community.
The essay workshop is appropriate for anyone new to writing an 8,000 legal research paper for Melbourne Law School. Topics covered include:
- Setting a research question
- Critical engagement with the material
- Developing an argument
- Structuring your analysis
- When to footnote
- Formatting your document according to the Australian Guide to Legal Citation
The exam workshop is primarily designed for people who are new to the common law legal system.
- Preparing for the exam (review and exam ready notes)
- Managing your time over the weekend
- Answering hypothetical problems
- Answering exam essay questions
You will need to register using your unimelb email address and password. Zoom links will be sent out only to students who have registered to attend.
Saturday workshops
-
Saturday 24 July 2021
CANCELLED -
10am – 4pm in-person at Melbourne Law School (Room G08)
Fast-paced workshop on 8,000 word Legal Research Essays AND Take-Home Exams
- Saturday 31 July 2021
-
10am – 1pm online via Zoom
Fast-paced workshop on 8,000 word Legal Research Essays
(same essay content as the in-person option)
- Saturday 7 August 2021
-
10am – 12.30pm online via Zoom
Fast-paced workshop on Take Home Exams
(same exam content as the in-person option)
Evening workshops
- Wednesday 25 August 2021
-
4.30 – 7pm online via Zoom
Fast-paced workshop on 8,000 Legal Research Essays
(same essay content as in-person and Saturday options)
- Wednesday 22 September 2021
-
4.30 – 7pm online via Zoom
Fast paced workshop on Take-Home Exams
(same exam content as in-person and Saturday options)