Login
ATSILS moot fosters bright careers in law
A Queensland moot is showing Indigenous law students just how boundless their future careers can be, Allens partner John Hedge has said.
Melissa Coade
Mr Hedge, who is chair of Allens Brisbane Reconciliation Action Plan Committee, told Lawyers Weekly that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students’ (ATSILS) moot aims to inspire students.
Organisers hope the ATSILS moot will go some way towards addressing an under-representation of Indigenous lawyers practising in commercial law and at the bar, Mr Hedge said.
"You find Indigenous lawyers are under-represented in commercial law and [among] barristers," Mr Hedge said.
"We perceive things like the moot as a potential gateway to other competitions, commercial law or practice at the bar. I think the moot is a great opportunity for the current generation of Indigenous law students to be a bit of a trail blazer in an area where Indigenous lawyers are under-represented."
The Allens Brisbane office, together with Ashurst, North Quarter Lane Chambers and the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland Inc, are supporting the moot as part of a wider program for Indigenous law students.
"Before the mooting comp there is a networking event that is the ‘kick off’ to the season," Mr Hedge said.
"That is followed by two workshops that are hosted by barristers from the North Quarter Lane Chambers; one that is focused on written submissions and one that is focused on advocacy skills. And then the moot itself is held in the Supreme Court of Queensland."
Mr Hedge commended members of the local profession who have joined forces to ensure Indigenous law students are offered the same level of opportunity as their peers.
"Initiatives such as the moot are a step towards making sure Indigenous students are able to access the same level of opportunity as other students," Mr Hedge said.
“It is really pleasing that we have been able to partner with others in the legal profession to achieve that."
Competitors of the 2016 Queensland ATSILS Moot L-R: Bethany Allen, Joan Cassimatis, Zachary Fraser, Mollie O'Connor, Mikaela French and Davina Lucas
