Login
Holding Redlich awards Indigenous Law Scholarship
Two James Cook University students have been awarded the Holding Redlich Indigenous Law Scholarship, and the firm said both have an “outstanding academic record”.
Lauren Croft
National law firm Holding Redlich has revealed the two recipients of its 2022 Indigenous Law Scholarship: Rikisha Phineasa and Caitlin Watson, both undergraduate law students at Queensland’s James Cook University.
Ms Watson commenced a bachelor of arts and bachelor of laws in 2021 and studies at James Cook University’s Cairns campus. Ms Watson identifies as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and belongs to the Boigu Island and Mamu tribal groups.
The Holding Redlich Indigenous Law Scholarship will provide both recipients with a $5,000 contribution to support the completion of their degrees. In addition, both students were invited to attend Holding Redlich’s First Nations Business Forum in late May 2022 and the renaming of the firm’s meeting rooms in Yidinji and Turrbal language in Cairns and Brisbane, respectively. Holding Redlich will also continue to offer opportunities for both recipients to connect with the firm.
Holding Redlich national managing partner Ian Robertson AO congratulated both recipients — and said the scholarship is intended to help more First Nations students to enter the law profession as graduates.
“This year’s Indigenous Law Scholarship recognises two students who both have an outstanding academic record and firm aspirations to shape the future law profession in Queensland. On behalf of the firm, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Rikisha and Caitlin for their excellence,” he said.
“Australia’s legal profession is in need of more First Nations voices. In the years to come, it’s vital that universities, government and law firms invest in a clearer and well-supported pathway for First Nations law students. Holding Redlich is deeply committed to this outcome and partnering with James Cook University to offer this scholarship is just one step we are taking to support and work alongside First Nations law students.”
James Cook University head of law Dr Jamie Fellows said he was thrilled with the students’ achievement and the opportunity the scholarship provided.
“JCU Law is very proud to work in conjunction with Holding Redlich in offering these scholarships to our students,” he said.
“The Holding Redlich Indigenous Law Scholarship is a commitment of the firm to assist emerging Indigenous leadership in the law and develop the local legal profession and in north and far north Queensland. I would like to thank Holding Redlich for their support with this and other professional initiatives the firm has undertaken.”
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
