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THE UTS LAW STUDENTS’ SOCIETY PRESENTS

ISSUE Nº 01 — OCTOBER 2026

BEYOND

ENTS 12 STUD S EMBER M Y T L 4 FACU I N M U 2 AL

A deep dive into the UTS Law Community, beyond the textbooks

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Editors Grace Ryan, Education (Publications) Director Luis Clarke-Nguyen, Education (Publications) Director Designed By Matthew Ham Grace Ryan Luis Clarke-Nguyen Special Thanks Siya Khatri, 2025/26 UTS LSS President Matthew Ham, 2025/26 UTS LSS Vice-President (Education) Beyond The Books is published in Sydney by the UTS Law Students’ Society. 61 Broadway, Ultimo NSW 2007 UTS Central, Level 14, Room 104 Ph (02) 9514 3448 Fax (02) 9514 3427 www.utslss.com © 2026 UTS Law Students’ Society This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any process without specific written consent of the UTS Law Students’ Society. Enquiries are to be addressed to the publishers. Images & Illustrations Where unspecified, all photos have been contributed by the UTS Law Students’ Society. Disclaimer All expressions of opinion published in the Beyond the Books are not the official opinion of the UTS Law Students’ Society unless expressly stated. The UTS Law Students’ Society accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any opinions or information contained herein and readers should rely on their own enquiries to make decisions in their own interest.

Acknowledgement of People and Country The UTS LSS acknolwedges the Gadgial People of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknolwedging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

TABLE OF 12 10 CONTENTS CONTENTS Faculty of Law

Faculty of Law

04 04

Prof. Isabella Alexander - p. 12 Derick Luong - p. 13 Kenneth Wu - p. 14 Dr Lisa Billington - p. 15

President’s President’s Address

Address

Siya Khatri Siya Khatri

16 Students

Students

05 05

Director’s Directors’ Address

Address

Grace Ryan & Luis ClarkeGrace Ryan &‌ Nguyen Luis Clarke-Nguyen

Alumni

Alumni Margaret Cunneen SC - p. 08 Kurt Cheng - p. 09

BEYOND THE BOOKS — ISSUE 01

Sophie Gallagher-Horne - p. 18 Grace Ryan - p. 19 Alisha Pillay - p. 20 Julian Foy - p. 21 Max Galanti - p. 22 Terry Tragotsalos - p. 23 Fan Ruoyu - p. 24 Alex Marinos - p. 25 Amelie Parker - p. 26 Luis Clarke-Nguyen - p. 26 Ariella Tracton - p. 27 Ihfaz Musa - p. 27

FROM THE UTS LSS PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS SIYA KHATRI

Hi everyone! My name is Siya Khatri and I am President of the UTS Law Students Society for 2026! I am a fourth year Law and Business student. I chose law because I had a fantastic legal studies teacher in high school, who fuelled my passion for the law and inspired me to take my career in that direction. Coming into UTS Law, I was incredibly shy and was too scared to get involved with the LSS. At the end of my first year, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for a marketing director position on council which was the start of the next best three years of my life. Through volunteering on council, being a camp leader, participating in moots and so many more opportunities, I was brought out of my comfort zone and transformed myself into a confident person that my first year self could never have imagined. Outside of being President, I love to go on extremely long walks (whilst listening to a full album from start to end), watch movies and review them on my beautifully curated letterbox and am also the biggest Chi fan who is infamously known for having a high nutella than yoghurt ratio.

My favourite thing about the UTS Law Community is how welcoming everyone is. At every event, there's always someone ready to say hello and make you feel like you belong, and that’s what makes this community so special to me. 4

FROM YOUR EDUCATION (PUBLICATIONS) DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS’ ADDRESS

GRACE RYAN & LUIS CLARKE-NGUYEN Welcome to the inaugural edition of Beyond the Books! Law school has a way of making us all look the same on paper: the same readings, the same deadlines, the same late-night group chats before an assessment. Beyond the Books began with a simple belief that the UTS Law community is far more interesting than that. We wanted to celebrate the people behind the student numbers, tutor profiles and graduation photos. In the pages ahead, you'll meet students, academics and alumni as they are away from class. Amongst them you’ll find performers, athletes, bakers and travellers.

Their reasons for choosing law differ, and so do their passions, but each story is a reminder that we are so much more than a stressful degree we happen to share. As you read, we hope you recognise a few familiar faces, discover something new about someone you thought you knew and perhaps find a kindred spirit who shares your most niche interest. We also hope it reminds you that the friendships and experiences we collect along the way are what we'll remember most.

Welcome to the UTS Law community, beyond the textbooks. With love and gratitude, Grace and Luis

ALUM ALUM

NI NI FEATURING FEATURING Margaret Margaret Cunneen SC Cunneen SC

Kurt Cheng Kurt Cheng

MARGARET CUNNEEN SC Bachelor of Bachelor of Laws Laws (UTS (UTS 1982) 1982) Master of Master of Laws Laws (USyd (USyd 1989) 1989) UTS Law UTS Law Alumni Alumni Award Award (2014) (2014) I am so fortunate to have been in the very first intake of the Faculty of Law at the NSW Institute of Technology, which became the University of Technology, Sydney, in February 1977. I was just 18, straight out of school and the youngest of the 150 who attended the first lecture by the inaugural Dean, the late Professor Geoff Bartholomew.

Only 10% of us were women and the course could only be undertaken part-time. Lectures were from 6pm-9pm three times per week, and our examinations were held on Saturday mornings. Most of the cohort were mature age students, and some were very mature indeed. I started work as a Clerk in the NSW Attorney General’s Department the same day as I started Law, became a Crown Prosecutor, and am now in practice as a barrister at State Chambers, Sydney. It was possible to accelerate what was a 6 year part-time course and I was proud to finish in 5 years and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1982. All of our lectures were conducted in an almost condemned former shopping emporium, the Anthony Horderns building, which stood where World Square is today. It was sweltering, or freezing, or leaking, and a scuttling rat often came to lectures. Much conviviality took place in the nearby Century Hotel, and our lecturers, most of whom were in legal practice, frequently joined us. “The course was my pathway to promotion and an extraordinarily rewarding professional career in criminal law. I am ever grateful for it, and for the maturity and resilience it developed in me. I am a grandmother of 5 and still do boxing 3 times a week. I was honoured to be awarded the UTS Law Alumni Award in 2014, and also to be invited to judge the Margaret Cunneen SC Witness Examination Competition, an annual event since 2014.”

KURT CHENG Bachelor of Bachelor of Laws, Laws, Bachelor Bachelor of of Communication Communication (Social (Social and and Political Sciences) Political Sciences) (2024), (2024), UTS UTS Friend Friend of of Distinction Distinction (2024) (2024) Hey, I'm Kurt. I recently worked at Ashurst Perkins Coie based in Sydney, advising on major infrastructure projects, renewable energy and transport assets that define the places you and I live and work within. But before I started my career, I was exactly where you are, reading publications like this, soaking up everything there is to know about the legal industry, getting involved with the UTS LSS and ploughing through the assessments and readings of six years at UTS. All career roads twist and turn, and for me, I took a slightly unconventional pathway. I joined Ashurst Perkins Coie as a summer clerk in 2022, left the year after to become a policy adviser to a Minister at the NSW Government Ministerial Offices, before returning two years later to Ashurst Perkins Coie as a law graduate, before being admitted as a lawyer in 2025. I took the two years apart to dive into my public policy interest, which I suppose came from my second degree, but also my passion for wanting to be part of a newly elected NSW Government that made major policy reforms to support our generation when it comes to access to housing, supporting essential workers and rebuilding our education system. My path to UTS was also unconventional. I never got the 96+ ATAR (as it then was) to join UTS Law. In fact, I was never on a path to university at all. Most of my high school years were turbulent owing to personal circumstances and shrouded by domestic and family violence. I was often suspended and when the weather was right, did some pretty rogue things that found me in the principal's office. I was by no means the perfect student, a bit rough around the edges but always with the ambition of wanting to do good (mostly).

“In Year 10, a teacher intervened, realising something was wrong.” I'm indebted to the school that rallied around me and that particular teacher, Mrs Rodgers, who tutored me after hours for two afternoons a week for months. By Year 11, my marks shot up, and by Year 12, I took on Industrial Timber for the HSC to build a desk – the one subject I had been good at since year 7 – and that desk got me a decent HSC result, but not quite enough to get into UTS. Mrs Rodgers and I sat down one afternoon to submit an equity pathway application to UTS. In 2019, I started at UTS. Timid and shy, I was roped into the UTS LSS by a few older students. Before long, I dived into the UTS Labor Club, volunteered in my first State and Federal elections of that year, then ran for the UTS LSS, Academic Board and the Faculty Board in Law. These things got me out of my shell. I ended up doing four years before jumping into my final role on the UTS Council in my final two years at UTS. These were positions that enabled me to shape teaching and learning policies at the university, create the events and initiatives that would help the student who is trying to get out of their own shell, and develop board governance experience for one of Australia's largest universities. In the years since my time at UTS, I often reflect that the person I am and the things I am doing now were all once the goal. To be educated to define a life of your own, to uplift the family and friends in the community you grew up in and be intellectually challenged in a career where you can impact the socioeconomic outcomes of others. I encourage you to take the time to pause and realise that where you are today was once the goal, and to look back on today in your next chapter, no matter what form that takes, and realise that

“everything works out in the end.”

FACU FACU

LTY LTY

FEATURING FEATURING Prof. Isabella Prof. Isabella Alexander Alexander Derick Luong Derick Luong Kenneth Wu Kenneth Wu Dr. Lisa Dr. Lisa Billington Billington

PROFESSOR ISABELLA ALEXANDER Dean - Faculty of Law (UTS)

If anyone had told me when I was a student at ANU back in the ‘90s that I’d end up teaching law I would have laughed at them.

ISABELLA ALEXANDER

I chose Law only because I had no idea what I wanted to do and a combined Arts/Law degree meant I didn’t have to decide for a while. What I really loved was history and travel. So after a brief stint at Clayton Utz inFACULTY Sydney I OF formulated a plan which could combine both, and applied to PROFESSOR · DEAN, LAW (UTS) do postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, proposing I write my thesis on the history of copyright law. To my surprise the application was accepted and I packed my bags and moved to the UK.

“If anyone had told me when I was a student at ANU back in the ’90s that I’d end up teaching law I would have laughed at them.”

I chose Law only because I had no idea what I wanted to do and a combined Arts/Law degree meant I didn’t have to decide for a while. What I really loved was history and travel. So after a brief stint at Clayton Utz in Sydney I formulated a plan which could combine both, and applied to do postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, proposing I write my thesis on the history of copyright law. To my surprise the application was accepted and I packed my bags and moved to the UK.

To earn some extra money whilst studying for the PhD I started teaching and to my surprise I enjoyed it! So when I finished the PhD I applied for a college teaching position at one of the Cambridge colleges, Robinson. Fast forward ten years, I had acquired a husband and two children, and it was time to come home. When the job at UTS was advertised it seemed like fate. I’ve now been at UTS since 2012. Aside from one semester teaching Criminal Law, I have mainly taught the intellectual property subjects, which is the area of my research interest. I love the human stories, but also the way that this area of law intersects with creativity, technology, science, and the arts. When I am not teaching, researching or engaged in Deanly duties, I work as a part-time parentchauffeur and play club football (right or centre back). p.

DERICK LUONG LECTURER AND ACADEMIC, FACULTY OF LAW (UTS) · UTS LAW ALUMNUS

I grew up in Western Sydney, and my parents are Vietnamese refugees who fled political and religious persecution on dangerous journeys to Australia in the 1970s. I entered UTS at 18 through a low socioeconomic pathway called inpUTS, and it has genuinely changed my life. What drew me to UTS Law was its commitment to social justice and practice-oriented learning, which really helped with my career. After graduating from UTS, I practised as a solicitor at MinterEllison, which is one of the top-tier law firms in Australia, and in-house. But I kept coming back to UTS — first as a Tutor, then as a Lecturer. Teaching here felt like coming home. I teach Criminal Law and Procedure and Foundations of Law, and I love making law come alive for students. I want my students to think and advocate like lawyers from day one.

“I never planned on teaching law, or studying it, for that matter…” I am also fortunate to be able to travel a lot for work. While teaching at UTS, I studied my Master’s and Doctorate at the University of Oxford. I have been able to participate in their famous tutorial system, including in their very famous Bachelor of Civil Law program. I model my seminars on the way my tutors at Oxford taught — students debate, defend their ideas, and think on their feet. A fun fact: I lived in a mediaeval prison cell in Oxford Castle! I have also travelled to New York, Paris, and Brussels for work. I am a passionate advocate for democracy and human rights — a cause deeply personal to my background. UTS holds a special place in my heart. I have seen first-hand the transformative power of education, and my hope is that future students are inspired to chase opportunities they never thought possible.

Chiko

The dry ager

KENNETH WU

LECTURER, FACULTY OF LAW (UTS) · UTS LAW ALUMNUS

I studied at UTS between 2014 and 2018 when we were still down in the old Haymarket building! I enjoyed my uni experience, joined/ran a few clubs and societies, did a short exchange living and teaching English in a Vietnamese Buddhist monastery and even worked for ActivateUTS and organised the 2018 O’Day. I came back to UTS after three years of practice; it was just casual teaching designed to be a quick career break before I headed off to my next role in criminal law.

“I soon found myself loving being in the classroom (more so than the courtroom)”...

teaching and building the confidence of the students I interacted with. Fortunately (or unfortunately if you’ve been on the other end of my marking), that turned into a slightly longer stint teaching into Criminal Law, Foundations, Civil Practice, Evidence and Criminal Sentencing Law and I’m now a permanent member of staff.

Old Haymarket

Outside of class (because your teachers do have a life), the two interests I talk the most about are Chiko – my Aussie Terrier x Maltese (look how cute he is) and cooking (my dry ager being the pride and joy of my house right now). Chiko is a rescue from Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) and even though he looks like a puppy is actually 13 years old. If you can’t tell, along with age, he comes with a massive spoilt personality, including taking up the entire sofa as his bed and clawing at you if human meals are not shared. The dry ager (second hand from Facebook marketplace) is probably the best kitchen investment I have made so far – my fave is dry aged duck breast (and it beats restaurant pricing any day); though dry aging a whole sirloin is a close second!

LISA BILLINGTON DR · LECTURER AND ACADEMIC, FACULTY OF LAW (UTS)

Hi, I’m Lisa! I’ve been a UTS Law Academic since 2022 (and part-time Research Assistant since 2018!). When I started studying law as an undergraduate, I had NO plans to become an academic. I didn’t even know what an academic was! I was studying counselling and working in social work settings, like drug and alcohol rehab. In my work, I was constantly confronted by people desperately needing good legal representation, but unable to afford it. I started studying law to help fill that gap.

“The further I progressed in my law studies, the more convinced I became that the law itself is part of the problem”... – producing unjust outcomes, even when people can access legal representation. As I chose my electives, my focus shifted away from practice, toward reform. By the time I finished my LLB, I had completed a 20,000-word honours thesis on ‘Criminal (In)justice’ (a WILD progression when crim was one of my lowest grades in first year!).

Now, my research demonstrates and critiques the ways colonial states are using criminal law systems to control their relationships with Indigenous peoples – not only in Australia, but all over the world. I was recently interviewed on the radio in Kanaky (New Caledonia), talking about how France uses punitive incarceration, policing, and prosecutorial strategies to suppress Indigenous Kanak resistance. I love UTS Law and completed my PhD studies here. I’ve worked at other universities too, and they all have their strengths; but I love the social justice focus embedded in the DNA of UTS Law, and our critical approach to law and justice education. When I’m not ‘academic-ing’, I’m generally acting as household Uber driver for family sporting commitments or running. I’ve loved running for about ten years; I’m currently chasing a sub-25min 5k and preparing for my first marathon.

S S T T U U D D E E N N T T S S

FEATURING FEATURING Sophie GallagherSophie GallagherHorne Horne Grace Ryan Grace Ryan Alisha Pillay Alisha Pillay Julian Foy Julian Foy Max Galanti Max Galanti Terry Tragotsalos Terry Tragotsalos Fan Ruoyu Fan Ruoyu Alex Marinos Alex Marinos Amelie Parker Amelie Parker Luis ClarkeLuis ClarkeNguyen Nguyen Ariella Tracton Ariella Tracton Ihfaz Musa Ihfaz Musa

SOPHIE SOPHIE GALLAGHERGALLAGHERHORNE HORNE 2nd Year, Law and Business Student

I didn’t expect my double bass to lead me to law school, but eight years with the Sydney Youth Orchestra has shaped my direction in law more than anything else. Through two rural outreach tours, I saw firsthand how music can transform a community. In towns where orchestral music was completely new, we were able to bring a connection between communities and music. Singing with the Wilcannia choir, performing in Broken Hill, and meeting people from diverse socio economic and First Nations backgrounds has been a highlight of my life so far.

After performing our Broken Hill gala, an audience member expressed that, “this is the first event that has brought both sides of the community, Indigenous and Non Indigenous, together.” That moment stayed with me. It proved that music is a non-political vehicle for bringing people together from all cultural backgrounds.

“I argue music can be the most transformative form of social justice, providing a lifeline to education and the arts.”

That is why I chose to study Law at UTS, to protect musicians and ensure rural communities continue to experience the power of music. From my experience, music transcends politics, but law can protect the spaces where connection with music becomes possible.

GRACE RYAN GRACE RYAN 4th Year, Law and Communication (Social and Political Sciences) Student

Little 17-year-old-Grace chose to study law at UTS after attending the UTS Open Day back in 2022. What stood out most to me was that I felt a kindred spirit with the UTS law students presenting at the Open Day. UTS’ focus on social justice also made the university and my double degree a natural fit for me. What led me most to study law is my passion for civil issues which largely stems from hearing different peoples’ stories through public speaking competitions in school. I went on to study 3 HSIE subjects and Exension English for the HSC. I even portrayed a defence lawyer in my Year 12 Drama monologue devised from Suzie Miller’s play ‘Prima Facie.’ Baby Grace at the UTS Open Day in 2022 manifesting her future!

So what about my interests outside of the law? Well, my parents were professional performers who met at the Opera House and my brother currently studies Acting at university, so performing arts is in my blood! I love to sing, dance and act, as well as watch live theatre. Come chat to me about Wicked anytime - I have seen the stage production 10+ times, including on Broadway! I’m also a big lover of a sweet treat, travelling, sleeping and find so much comfort in listening to music. I have been rotating Olivia Rodrigo’s and Noah Kahan’s new albums since June. I also love the classics, especially Fleetwood Mac and Queen.

“If you know me well enough, you will have heard me mention my dog George. He’s a tiny rescue Moodle that we got last year in October and he is my whole world.” We are so much more than what we study. I love learning about the law, but I will more so remember my time at UTS for the friendships I’ve made and experiences I will cherish.

The diva himself: George!

ALISHA PILLAY ALISHA PILLAY 3rd Year, Law and Business (Finance) Student

I wanted to study law because it seemed like a safe option – I combined it with a business degree fully expecting to follow the business route, but now I can confidently say that law is WAY more interesting! Hence, I’ve discovered a newfound ambition to wear expensive blazers and have coffees with colleagues around Martin Place (of course with some actual lawyer-related work done on the side, too).

“I came into UTS knowing a few people, but the law community welcomed me with open arms. If there is one thing that UTS Law can guarantee, it’s that you will meet a wide range of characters, from the academic weapons to the mooting prodigies to those with a keen theatre interest (a trait that I notice translates well into the courtroom) – and everyone is equally lovely.”

Outside of law, I play piano and have also been teaching piano for the last 4 years. I find playing music to be an amazing way to detach from life and recently have been enjoying learning Billy Joel’s songs (my favourite right now being ‘Vienna’). I also love to travel, and hope to carve out more time (and money) to see more of the world.

JULIAN FOY JULIAN FOY 2nd Year, Law and Science (Environmental Biology) Student

I only decided to study law at the start of Year 12; my passion has always been environmental science, however legal studies have inspired me that I can drive more change through environmental law and advocacy. I went to high school in Newcastle, so the choice came with a lot of deliberation. I ultimately decided to study at UTS because it was one of the more prestigious institutions I had received an offer for, and I had anecdotally heard great things about the culture. I have no regrets with my choice. UTS Law has been full of so much fun and friends, starting university not knowing anybody was admittedly daunting, however I have made so many cherished friends and memories, along with a plethora of experience in the UTS LSS. As a first-generation university student, let alone law student, it has felt liberating to have these experiences.

“Aside from my studies, I am a diehard pop music fan, having been to 9 concerts this year so far, and barricading at Olivia Rodrigo, Addison & Slayyyter. Olivia’s new album has gone triple platinum in my bedroom, and you can bet that I will be barricading her next show in Sydney.”

MAX GALANTI MAX GALANTI 2nd Year, Law and Business Student

I chose to study law because I’ve always been passionate about using communication to problem-solve and contribute to something bigger than myself. My business/law double degree lets me pair my interest in commercial spaces with skills like research, critical thinking, and case analysis. Balancing commitments with my hobbies is still a work in progress, but I’ve always loved sports and music. I’ve played football and baseball for over 15 years and I’m a diehard Barcelona and LA Dodgers fan. World Cup season is my favourite, when I properly tap into my Argentinian roots to cheer for my team .

🤍🩵

I’m music-obsessed too, especially Hip-Hop, RnB, Soul, Latin, and more recently House and EDM. My biggest flex is my ever-growing vinyl collection, with Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, J Cole, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac and The Weeknd displayed all around my room in vinyl form.

Though I was born in Australia, my family’s Argentinian culture is a huge part of my life. I’ve always spoken Spanish at home and enjoyed delicious asados and empanadas . Anyone who’s spent five minutes near me and a Bluetooth speaker knows all about my love of Latin music (shoutout Bad Bunny).

🤤

“My first two years of uni have been so memorable: amazing friends, a real passion for my work, and countless late nights (early mornings?) of both partying and grinding lectures. My highlights include First Year Law Camp/Launch, Sip & Sing, Law Ball, and Social Sport, which I’ve really gotten into this year. I can't wait to see what the next few years have in store.”

TERRY TERRY TRAGOTSALOS TRAGOTSALOS 3rd Year, Law and Medical Science Student

Καλημέρα! My name is Terry Tragotsalos and I am a third year student here at UTS studying a Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Laws, Majoring in Medical and Health-related Sciences. Technically I'm in my fourth year since I switched from just a Bachelor of Laws, but who's counting? Law wasn't something I originally saw myself pursuing in school. However, performing one of my favourite plays, Twelve Angry Men, alongside discovering my passion for complex literature during the HSC, helped me realise how much I enjoyed argument interpretation and speaking in front of a crowd. Choosing law has since become a decision I wholeheartedly believe to be the right one.

“Still missing my STEM side though, and coming from a family with a strong medical background, I combined both interests with the hope of eventually helping people navigate intimidating medical and legal systems.”

Through my studies and the welcoming UTS LSS, I’ve loved exploring where this path might take me. My German Shepherd Klio!

“I still find time to enjoy drama, volleyball, being a foodie, and walking with my German Shepard Klio. She says, “Thanks for reading!”

FAN RUOYU FAN RUOYU 1st Year, Master of Laws Student

I came to law from a slightly unexpected direction. In China, I studied both Fashion and Apparel Design and Law. Studying fashion made me notice things like branding, copying and the value attached to a name or design before I really understood the legal rules behind them. As I studied more law, I became increasingly interested in intellectual property and consumer protection, and eventually decided that law was the path I wanted to continue. “I chose UTS because I wanted to study law outside the Chinese legal system and look at familiar issues from a different perspective. What I have enjoyed most is being able to work on questions that are still developing. My studies have included AI-generated marketing, counterfeit goods and the regulation of shared e-bikes in NSW. These are issues where technology often moves faster than the law.”

Outside university, I have completed legal internships in China, including work in a court, which gave me a very different view of law from what I learned in textbooks. After graduation, I plan to return to China and continue building my career in law.

ALEX MARINOS ALEX MARINOS 3rd Year, Law and Business Student

My pipeline to studying law, I have quickly learnt, was nothing unique at all. I absolutely loved reading and English during my secondary education to which I was quickly encouraged that it was an absolute no brainer to then study law at university. While the readings have been plentiful, regrets are minimal, and I don’t think I will ever look back.

But beyond the books, I am actually an avid golfer. It’s one thing making friends in tutorials and different societies but it is just that little bit more special being able to then organise a round of golf at our earliest convenience. There is absolutely nothing better than teeing off at the crack of dawn while the sun is coming up or finishing a round just as the sun is setting. The best part about it is that I have played with people far better than me and people that have never played before and yet it always ends the same.

“When are we playing next?” 25

AMELIE PARKER AMELIE PARKER 4th Year, Law and Communications (Social and Digital Media) Student

I didn’t always know I wanted to study law. I mainly chose my Communications degree and added Law because my Mum suggested I might enjoy it; apparently, my childhood habit of reading everything from novels to the backs of shampoo bottles was excellent preparation for legal reading. My connection to choosing UTS Law began through rowing, long before I enrolled. In high school, I trained up to nine times a week across several different sheds, but UTS was where people were always especially kind and welcoming. When our boats were damaged, they even lent us theirs. Their generosity really stayed with me, so when it came time to choose a university, UTS felt like the natural choice.

Unexpectedly, Law became my favourite part of my degree! I realised that even without knowing exactly where my career would lead, understanding law would always be valuable because it shapes so much of our lives.

“Outside university, my greatest passion is teaching English to primary and high school students. It is incredibly rewarding to watch students grow in confidence, strengthen their writing and speaking, and develop a genuine love for English. It has even made me wonder whether, after some years in practice, I might eventually return to university, this time, teaching law.”

LUIS CLARKE-NGUYEN LUIS CLARKE-NGUYEN 2nd Year, Law and Business Student

Pursuing law felt like a natural choice thanks to my incredible HSC Legal Studies teacher, but choosing UTS was less clear. With most of my high school friends heading to Macquarie, I nearly made the safe decision and stayed in my comfort zone. Stepping outside it to accept my offer for a Bachelor of Laws and Business at UTS was the best decision I could have made.

“What I love most about UTS Law is its sense of community. Nearing the end of my second year, and having thrown myself into everything it offers, I can safely say it’s a welcoming bunch that defies the stereotype of law as hyper-competitive.” Beyond the books, I’m a massive foodie, and being Wasian (Vietnamese and English) means I’ll happily eat anything, from a bowl of phở to a Sunday roast. I’m also a keen traveller and an avid follower of global politics and aviation. Above all, I’ll never say no to a side quest, rightly or wrongly.

ARIELLA ARIELLA TRACTON TRACTON 4th Year, Law Student

I came to law because I have always been fascinated by people, advocacy, systems and governance, particularly how laws and institutions can both empower people and constrain individual freedoms. “I am a singer, dancer and performer, and throughout my degree I have performed in university and community theatre productions at UTS and UNSW. I also sing backing vocals for indie-pop artist Jasmine Golden, performing live gigs and recording vocals for released music. I love that alongside studying law, I have been able to maintain such a creative part of my life.” I am also a proud Jewish woman, and my culture and community are incredibly important to me. I love learning about other cultures, languages and people, and travelling and studying overseas have only deepened that curiosity.

That is part of why I chose UTS. I loved its diversity, its location in the heart of Sydney and its emphasis on applied learning. From the Law Tech Challenge to Summer School in London to performing on stage, UTS has shown me that there is no single way to be a law student, and that the most interesting parts of us often never make it onto a transcript.

IHFAZ MUSA IHFAZ MUSA 3rd Year, Law Student

I chose to study Law at UTS for its practice-ready approach — the emphasis on real-world skills, industry connections, and a curriculum that treats students as future practitioners from day one. Coming from a multi-jurisdictional background across London, Dhaka, and Sydney, I was drawn to a law school that would let me build on that global perspective rather than leave it behind. “Beyond my degree, I stay closely engaged with international affairs, particularly developments in Bangladesh — following its political and legal landscape keeps me grounded in the region I come from and reminds me why comparative legal thinking matters.” On weekends, you'll usually find me watching cricket — there's nothing quite like the tension of a close run chase, and it's a passion that connects me to family and friends across every country I've called home. I'm also proud to have completed both stages of the UTS SOUL Award, UTS Peer Networking clocking over 90 hours of social impact action. It's given me a tangible way to translate the values I study into action, and a reminder that law is ultimately about people.

THANK YOU FOR READING

BEYOND THE BOOKS 2026