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Law students take home $10k prize from BigLaw firm
A team of law students from the University of Queensland has won $10,000 with their innovative proposal that would fill a major gap in pro bono legal practice.
Naomi Neilson
With a proposed pro bono digital marketplace dubbed “Elysian”, a team of law students from the University of Queensland (UQ) won $10,000 for creating technology that filled a gap in legal services and successfully pitching it to King Wood & Mallesons (KWM).
Team member Melanie Karibasic said it was all “very exciting” and the team is planning to put the prize money towards getting Elysian up and running: “Hopefully, in the long-term, we can further develop the platform to apply to different legal jurisdictions.”
Ms Karibasic worked with Tristan Latcham, Anastasia Laczko and Abi Ketheeswaran, who were all thrilled that their hard work was recognised by KWM.
“As law students, we have worked in the pro bono sector for many years and witnessed the struggle that CLCs endure in order to recruit experienced and motivated volunteer lawyers who also have expertise in the required area of law,” said Ms Ketheeswaran.
“We have come to realise that many lawyers working at firms are eager to share their knowledge and expertise, but the administrative work remains deterrent.”
While Elysian can make targeted and niche recommendations for users, it also allows community organisations to choose registered lawyers to their own liking. Ms Karibasic said it removes the administrative inefficiency lawyers experience when searching for pro bono matters “that are tailored to their skillsets and expertise”.
Ms Ketheeswaran said mentoring from industry professionals and the UQ team during the incubator-style program was integral to the team’s success.
“While it was very clear when we talked to our mentors that our initial idea may have been theoretically correct, without a deeper understanding of how the entrepreneurial and tech industry worked, our product was as good as useless,” she said.
“It is incredibly valuable to have the external, objective perspective of a mentor. Someone who can see the tiny cracks on the glass.”
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
