obiter
Acknowledgments
[SPECIAL THANKS]
O B I T E R I S P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E U T S L A W S T U D E N T S ' S O C I E T Y Copyright T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n i s c o p y r i g h t E x c e p t w h e r e p e r m i t t e d u n d e r t h e C o p y r i g h t A c t , n o p a r t o f t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n m a y f o r m o r b y a n y m e a n s ( e l e c t r o n i c o r o t h e r w i s e ) b e r e p r o d u c e d , s t o r e d i n a r e t r i e v a l s y s t e m o r t r a n s m i t t e d b y a n y p r o c e s s w i t h o u t s p e c i f i c w r i t t e n c o n s e n t o f t h e U T S L a w S t u d e n t s ’ S o c i e t y E n q u i r i e s a r e t o b e a d d r e s s e d t o t h e p u b l i s h e r s
Images & Illustrations
I V E T E A M A N D
R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
U n l e s s p r o v i d e d b y t h e d e s i g n e r s o r c o m m i s s i o n e d s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r t h e p u r p o s e o p u b l i c a t i o n , u n c r e d i t e d p h o t o g r a p h s h a v e b e e n s o u r c e d f r o m r o y a l t y - f r e e d i s t r i b
l i c e n s e d u n d e r C r e a t i v e C o m m o n s Z e r o
Table of Conten
Anintroductiontothepurpos publication.
SemesterOneOverview
Aninsightintostatisticsandinformation regardingeverythingthathappenedwithin theUTSLSSinSemesterOne.
SecretariatAddresses
AnaddressfromourPresident,Secretary, VicePresident(Sponsorships),and Treasurer.
ExecutiveAddresses
AnaddressfromourVicePresidentsof Competitions,SocialJustice,Education, Activities,Marketing,andCareers.
RepresentativeAddresses
AnaddressfromtheRepresentativesofourFirst Nationscommunity,Queercommunity,Women community,communityofthosewhohave disabilities,andcommunityoffirstyears.
President’s Foreword
This publication was introduced in 2022 as a mechanism to increase transparency and accountability about the successes and challenges faced by the UTS LSS After a year of strong successes and some difficulties, the 2025 edition of Obiter will update our members on the progress of the UTS LSS since the publication’s last edition!
The aim of the 2025 edition of Obiter is to provide our members with a greater understanding of the internal workings behind the events and initiatives of the UTS LSS Each of our Executive members, as well as our wonderful seven Representatives, will be exploring their visions for their respective Portfolios in 2025, their achievements, and any areas for improvement they have identified for the rest of the tenure.
We hope you enjoy reading about what we have been up to behind the scenes since our last publication!
Semester One Overview
As the largest student run organisation at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the UTS Law Students’ Society (UTS LSS) aims to enrich the UTS Law student experience by catering to their educational, vocational and social needs
So far in 2025, the UTS LSS has:
had 19 firms attend the Clerkship Networking Evening; returned to in-person clerkship seminar series; sold out every social event in the Autumn Session; over 400 buddy pairings; received 120+ nominations for Director and Representative roles;
distributed 4 publications to its members;
sent 12 delegates to Canberra f th ALSA N ti l Conference
S E C R E T A R I A T
ADDRESSES
President’s Address
NIPUN KAR
My name is Nipun Kar and I am the elected President of the UTS Law Students’ Society for 2025 I am incredibly excited to be presenting to you the 2025 Obiter publication! The Obiter publication is more than just a summary of the highlights of the year so far; it is a reflection of the direction the UTS LSS is going, the challenges it has faced, and the vibrant community that we are continuously building. As such, the Obiter remains an important tool for transparency, celebration and accountability
As I write this mid-year address, I am pleased to report that the UTS LSS has reached 1,173 membersour highest mid-year figure ever! In addition to this, our initiatives are all hitting new heights with record engagement from our students We had a record 400 applications for the Buddy Project, over 100 students sign up to the revamped Mooting Mentoring Program, hit capacity for each of the Careers, Social Justice and Educational mentoring programs, and saw unprecedented levels of participation in both Mooting and Skills Competitions. As always, our social events remain ever-popular, continuing to sell out consistently and create memorable experiences for our students!
Within the internal side of the LSS, our society has made some significant strides forward On the Treasury front, our society has regained the important “Charity Status” with the ATO. Our sponsorship partnerships are larger than ever, with more forms of initiatives offered to the UTS LSS’ largest number of sponsors to date This growth was on full display at our Clerkship Networking Evening, which welcomed a record 19 law firms, as well as through the return of our in-person Clerkship Seminars Our Marketing Portfolio has continued to excel, delivering consistent and exceptional graphics that help drive engagement and visibility for our events and initiatives.
I am pleased to report that our relationship with ActivateUTS is stronger than ever The support and guidance received from ActivateUTS representatives has made an immeasurable difference to how our society governs and manages all its operations. In addition, the impressive levels of student engagement in our society’s initiatives would not be possible without the strong partnership and unwavering support of the UTS Faculty of Law. On behalf of the UTS LSS, I extend our sincere thank you to both ActivateUTS and the Faculty of Law for their extensive support!
The society’s continued involvement with the Australian Law Students’ Association is also of notable mention The UTS LSS was proud to host the 2025 ALSA January Conference at UTS, and this July, we will send our largest cohort of delegates to date (12 students) to the National Conference in Canberra We are incredibly proud of the strong ties
we have built within the ALSA community and the opportunity to represent UTS on the national stage.
My personal goal for the UTS LSS this year has been to continue building the strong, inclusive community, while also developing and delivering initiatives that provide real, lasting value to our students. For the remainder of my tenure, my focus remains to making sure every law student at UTS feels not only welcomed by the UTS LSS but empowered to engage, contribute and thrive within it
In the pages ahead, several Councillors will be providing more specific snapshots of the UTS LSS year to date in their perspective, detailing the milestones the society has reached and giving an insight into their goals for the remainder of 2025. I hope this publication is just as informative as it is inspiring, and I hope to see your passion and enthusiasm for the UTS LSS in all the upcoming initiatives!
Secretary' Address
In the area of governance and administration, the UTS LSS has made significant progress in improving the outputs of the society. This ensures that our members gain high value from our different initiatives and events This year, we continued the appointment process for director and representative positions that was implemented last year We received high levels of engagement from applicants and recorded a record number of applicants for director and representative positions This places the UTS LSS in a terrific position for future years
We successfully merged our Education Internal and External Directors into our two Education Engagement Directors This has allowed for more collaboration between the two roles and effective delegation of responsibilities We additionally updated our Disability Representative role to the new label of Accessibility Representative I thank our Social Justice portfolio for getting the ball rolling on that change which ensures that the UTS LSS remains a positive and inclusive environment for all
Our Special General Meeting provoked some productive and collaborative conversations about the UTS LSS Constitution, with several amendments passed These amendments will improve the function of the UTS LSS Council to align with our newly acquired charity status As such, we will be able to uphold the charity status requirements Other amendments have improved the overall function of the Constitution to further align
with the guidelines of Activate UTS, our governing body.
Further discussions are underway about improving the accountability of Councillors in upholding their roles The UTS LSS commenced function this year, with the removal of our Grievance Policy The policy proved to be a significant burden on members of the Secretariat, and the UTS LSS has now pivoted to aligning our dispute resolution measures with the ones outlined by Activate UTS So far, this has been a successful move, and I think the members of last year's LSS Council for making this change before the end of their tenure.
The UTS LSS has maintained its strong relationship with the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) this year and sees immense value in its involvement with ALSA We look forward to sending 12 delegates to the annual conference being held in Canberra over the semester break
The UTS LSS Council this year has made significant strides in progressing their roles. We have seen unprecedented levels of collaboration and engagement and it is due to the passion and energy each council member has brought to their role This has been to the betterment of many of the events and initiatives The opportunity of being on the UTS LSS Council is seen by many as a unique chance to develop professional and personal skills I encourage any UTS LSS member to consider this opportunity
HARRISON O’BRIEN
As Secretary, I assist the Postgraduate and First Year Representatives in successfully carrying out the duties within their roles
POSTGRADUATE REPRESENTATIVE
Yasmin Nikro has been exceptional in her role She has brought passion and enthusiasm to the postgraduate space This has been demonstrated by her effective liaising with the UTS Law Faculty, which brings value to our postgraduate members. Yasmin made significant efforts to engage the postgraduate community and bridge the gap between them and the undergraduate community. While this wasn’t able to come to much fruition, Yasmin will keep up her admirable work in semester two.
FIRST-YEAR REPRESENTATIVES
The 2025 First Year Representatives, Annabelle Wu and Max Galanti, have been exceptional additions to our LSS Council. They rallied the first-year cohort into a supportive community for one another. Annabelle and Max successfully planned and conducted the First Year Hustle and Hunt, which included an unprecedented first-year collaboration with the UTS Business Society! This event was a great success and was a terrific event for all those involved I have no doubt they will continue to thrive in the UTS LSS into semester two I encourage any first-years to reach out to them with any questions or concerns, or just for a chat!
POSTGRADUATE
NETWORKING EVENING
FIRST-YEAR HUSTLE & HUNT
Treasurer' Address
The Treasury is proud to report that our financial position is stronger than ever
Following extensive meetings with the LSS’s accountants, the collation of multiple tenures' worth of information, and a great deal of dedication, we are thrilled to have finally regained our charity status after five years. This achievement means we are now officially exempt from income tax an incredible milestone that reflects our restored standing with government agencies and significantly boosts our overall financial health
A primary financial goal for this tenure is to return to profitability, as the UTS LSS has recorded losses in recent tenures. Regaining charity status has been a pivotal step toward this, and the Treasury is now focused on maximising revenue while continuing to deliver high-impact initiatives for UTS Law students Sponsorship income has increased significantly, helping to support this strategy
The budget has also been carefully curated with this goal in mind It balances initiative costs with income generation through ticket sales, while ensuring transparency across portfolios Each portfolio is equipped with the resources needed to deliver outstanding initiatives, with budget-smart cross-portfolio collaboration such as Speaker Series playing a key role in this success
WAFA RAHMAN
These initiatives bring together diverse perspectives and skill sets, fostering innovation and unity across the UTS LSS
We are also grateful for the financial support we have received this tenure Instances of this include an ActivateUTS grant for the renowned Buddy Project, a generous donation from the prestigious law firm Clayton Utz for the Textbook Equity Scheme, and the opportunity to collaborate with the UTS Business Society on our annual cruise These partnerships have not only strengthened our relationship with external stakeholders but also our financial position.
In addition, financial procedures have been reviewed and refined to offer greater flexibility to Council The quotes process has been streamlined, reducing administrative burden while empowering councillors and accommodating last-minute approvals more effectively This ensures swift yet informed financial decision-making
Moreover, the Treasury continues to closely monitor revenue and expenditure to ensure accountability and responsible financial management.
We are confident in our ability to meet our financial goals, maintain stability, and continue delivering exceptional initiatives for UTS Law students in 2025
Vice-President
(Sponsorship) Address
In 2025, the Sponsorships division of the UTS LSS has demonstrated strong momentum and continued success, driven by consistent engagement with industry partners, innovative strategy, and a sustained commitment to relationship management The year began with a renewed focus on consolidating existing partnerships, establishing new connections across both legal and non-legal sectors, and reinforcing the Society’s position as a key student-led organisation on campus
January marked a significant period of planning and outreach The Sponsorships team launched a comprehensive 50-page Sponsorship Prospectus on the first working day of the corporate calendar year This document was distributed to all firms that supported the Society in 2024, as well as an expanded network of prospective sponsors The Prospectus, which highlighted more than 70 planned initiatives, was praised for its professionalism, visual design, and clarity in articulating the mutual benefits of sponsorship The early launch of the document ensured that the Society could capitalise on sponsors ’ planning cycles and allowed for early engagement and negotiations
The first week of January saw a record number of sponsorship meetings, laying the foundation for a year of active collaboration These meetings provided valuable insights into sponsor priorities and market trends, and allowed the Society to tailor its approach to meet the evolving needs of external stakeholders In addition to corporate sponsors, the team also met with Faculty representatives to reinforce the Society’s alignment with the university’s broader objectives These conversations are set to create new opportunities for student engagement, resource sharing, and integrated programming
ANTONIA ASSAF
The portfolio also played a key role in preparing for Autumn Orientation Week Through outreach to a range of non-legal sponsors, the team successfully secured vouchers, merchandise, and goods that were used to fill 500 branded tote bags for distribution to first-year students These contributions added significant value to the orientation experience and helped increase the visibility of the Society’s brand among new members
Throughout the semester, there has been a noticeable increase in firms proactively reaching out to express interest in partnerships This reflects the strong reputation the Society has built over recent years and the value that sponsors see in aligning with its activities Sponsorship funding has directly supported the delivery of several flagship events, most notably the Clerkship Networking Evening This event featured full participation from all major sponsors and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, faculty members, and firm representatives Its success is a reflection of careful planning, meaningful engagement, and the mutual respect built between the Society and its sponsors
The first quarter of 2025 clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the Sponsorship division’s strategy Through early planning, responsiveness to partner feedback, and seamless cross-portfolio collaboration, the team has established a strong foundation for the remainder of the year Moving forward, the focus will remain on deepening existing relationships, exploring new streams of sponsorship, and maximising value for both sponsors and Society members The team remains committed to delivering professional, impactful, and mutually beneficial outcomes across all initiatives
E X E C U T I V E
ADDRESSES
Vice-President
(Activites Address
My biggest priority for 2025 was creativity, inclusivity and fun. This year, we ’ ve built on past wins and pushed things even further with exciting new events and beloved classics that brought people together in the best ways. From day one, inclusivity and accessibility have been at the heart of everything we do
FIRST YEAR LAW CAMP
First Year Law Camp 2025: Euro Summer was an unforgettable experience and with tickets selling out in under 4 seconds, it was clear this was the event everyone had been waiting for One hundred first-year UTS Law students made their way to Milsons Island for a weekend packed with excitement, connection, and unforgettable memories
NATASHA ABDULGHANI
make the weekend such a success Together we fostered a safe, inclusive, and fun environment for everyone involved.
From a beach bonfire under the stars to a high-energy Amazing Race and a vibrant Euro Summer party to top it all off, the weekend brought everyone together in the best way possible, setting the tone for a supportive and close knit first-year cohort
A massive thank you goes to our incredible team of leaders whose energy, dedication, and care helped
LAW CRUISE
This year ’ s Law Cruise was nothing short of wild Continuing on from last years success, we teamed up again with the UTS Business Society to bring this wild ride to life
For years, the UTS LSS has explored collaborations with other Law Schools but the move to join forces within our own university paid off in a huge way, resulting in a insane turnout of over 500 guests!
For years, the UTS LSS has explored collaborations with other Law Schools but the move to join forces within our own university paid off in a huge way, resulting in a insane turnout of over 500 guests!
The theme? Call of the Wild a celebration of vibrant chaos, carnival colours, and jungle glamour. From feathered masks to animal prints and tropical silks, our guests went all out, transforming the boat into a floating festival straight out of Rio
With pumping music, endless dancing, and a truly electric atmosphere, this was a night to remember!
START OF SEM & FIRST YEAR LAW DRINKS
Our First Year Law Drinks kicked off with a wild start at Side Bar, right around the corner from campus With a bigger capacity than last year, we were able to rope in even more first years for a night of mingling, and making new connections
As the night rolled on, the herd moved on to Kit & Kaboodle, where the Start of Semester Party: Raunchy Rodeo, really hit its stride With over 300 students turning up, the dance floor was packed, the drinks were flowing, and energy was at an all time high! It th f t t ddl f
PILATES DAY
This year we kicked off our first-ever sport event with an amazing Pilates Day, organised by our Sport Director, Anna Sundquist! Held in the UTS gym ’ s fitness room, we had a private instructor guide us through new techniques to stretch, move, and feel great
It was so awesome to see a mix of experience levels everyone got involved, making the session super fun and inclusive A fantastic initiative that we hope becomes a regular part of the calendar!
SOCIAL SPORTS
Throughout Semester One, many of our members had the chance to stay active and have fun through our futsal social sport teams Held on campus in Ross Milbourne Hall, the weekly games offered a great mental break from study in the middle of the day A big congratulations to our futsal team! Don’t forget to check out the hilarious weekly recaps shared by our Sports Director, Anna, on the Get Active Facebook Group
Vice-President
(Careers) Address
The Careers Portfolio plays a vital role in connecting our student members with the dynamic and competitive legal industry. Whether you're in your first year just exploring your path, or you're approaching graduation and looking to secure your next opportunity, our portfolio is here to support and empower you
Our primary goal is to bridge the gap between students and the profession through events and resources designed to provide genuine insight and access. From our flagship Clerkship Networking Evening, Beyond Corporate Mentoring Program, networking events, panels and our various publications, the portfolio is structured to cater to students at every stage of their legal education and careers
LINKEDIN PHOTOSHOOT
Our annual LinkedIn photoshoot was sponsored by Clayton Utz this year which drew over 200 students to register and attend our event. This event allows students to come and receive a free professional photoshoot in their best corporate attire
BEYOND CORPORATE PROGRAM CLAIRESSA NG
The Careers Portfolio is excited to continue the Beyond Corporate Mentoring Program. The program offers students the opportunity to be paired with an industry professional outside Corporate law which aligns with their career path, interests and aspirations.
The program remains one of the most competitive mentor programs our Society has to offer and has provided students with an invaluable opportunity for students to gain a strong mentorship outside of University This year, we had 15 mentors paired with successful applicants
CLERKSHIP SEMINAR SERIES
The Careers team hosted our annual Clerkship Seminar Series (CSS) through a hybrid of in person and virtual seminars for over a five week period Our team was fortunate to have our sponsors host their CSS at their respective offices which drew attendance from many of our penultimate and graduate students
CLERKSHIP NETWORKING
EVENING
This year, the Careers Portfolio hosted the largest Clerkship Networking Evening (CNE) with over 175 student and firm attendees at the Aerial Function Centre
The CNE is our largest flagship initiative that is offered to penultimate and graduate students looking to secure a clerkship at top commercial firms in Australia This year we had a record of 19 firms in attendance for the CNE and a waitlist of over 80+ students As one of the most valuable networking opportunities provided to students, the portfolio will continue to expand and further improve upon this event for future tenures.
CLERKSHIP GUIDE
The Clerkship Guide is our primary publication dedicated to providing advice and clarity of the Clerkship process for penultimate and graduate students The publication provides practical tips and information from the firms regarding their application process and the opportunities provided within their clerkship and graduate programs It also includes general tips on how to perfect a CV and cover letter as well as interview etiquette and tips The Careers (Publications) Team has continued to deliver a high quality and engaging guide which is reflected in the design and contents of the publication.
CAREERS BLOG
This year, the Careers Blog is sponsored by Sparke Helmore which is the first time that our blog has been sponsored by a firm. The Careers Blog serves as a dynamic platform for UTS law students to access and share career-related advice and insights This blog complements the two primary publications, the Clerkship Guide and Careers Guide, in offering timely articles on a diverse range of topics on legal careers and the legal industry. The Careers Blog features contributions from the Careers (Publications) Team, UTS law students, recent graduates in order to provide practical advice guided by personal experiences to assist UTS law students in navigating their future legal careers
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SPRING?
First Generation Program Breaking Into Law Panel Careers Guide
Vice-President
(Comps) Address
The 2025 Competitions Portfolio has had a productive and rewarding first half of our term. We have delivered a full calendar of internal and intervarsity skills and mooting competitions throughout the Autumn Semester, while actively preparing for the Winter Break and Spring Semester ahead As we reflect on our progress so far, we are pleased to say that we have advanced our core objectives for this tenure – increasing the number of competition opportunities available to our members and improving their accessibility to grow and strengthen our competitions community.
From expanding our intervarsity offerings, to record participation in longstanding competitions, our focus has remained on ensuring that every student interested in developing their legal and advocacy skills has the opportunity to do so in a supportive, well-organised, and challenging environment
MOOTING
The Autumn Semester was an exciting time for mooting Our Subject Mooting Directors ran three successful Open moots – the Tort Law Moot, the Ashurst Commercial Law Moot, and the Criminal Law Moot
GEORGIA MITCHELL
YOUNGONE OH
Each of these moots saw record engagement, a testament to both the commitment of our student competitors, as well as the strength of our competitions community The Subject Mooting Directors are now preparing for our upcoming Open moots in the Spring Semester – the King & Wood Mallesons Contract Law Moot, the Constitutional Law Moot, and our inaugural Humanitarian Law Moot
INTERVARSITY MOOTING
This year, UTS participated for the first time in the Multilateral Novice Criminal Advocacy Moot, hosted by SULS This new opportunity allowed junior mooters to challenge their understanding of criminal law whilst developing foundational advocacy skills in a supportive setting. Our participation marked an exciting step forward in broadening the intervarsity horizons of UTS competitors. Looking ahead, we are preparing for a number of upcoming intervarsity moots, including the Nicholas Cowdery AO KC Criminal Law Moot with SULS, the Bilateral Contract Law Moot with MULS, and our flagship Ashurst Legal Technology Moot These opportunities will provide UTS students with access to a wider array of intervarsity moots as we continue to develop and support high-quality external mooting pathways.
WRITTEN SKILLS
The UTS LSS Sparke Helmore Advice Writing Competition was held in the Autumn Semester, and drew a record number of participants and submissions. Over the Winter break, we are excited to continue our preparations for the upcoming UTS LSS Sparke Helmore Affidavit Drafting Competition
NEGOTIATION
Additionally, the UTS LSS Herbert Smith Freehills Open Negotiation Competition (now Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, or ‘HSFK’) took place in the Autumn Semester Looking ahead, the UTS LSS HSFK Junior Negotiation Competition will take place in the Spring Semester, with the aim of introducing our junior students to the fundamentals of effective negotiation.
CLIENT INTERVIEW
The Autumn Semester saw the successful running of the UTS LSS Allens Open Client Interview Competition, attracting a mix of new and returning competitors. In the Spring Semester, we will be running the UTS LSS Allens Junior Client Interview Competition, focused on equipping first and second-year students with foundational skills in client interview through structured feedback and a welcoming competition environment
TORTS MOOT
WITNESS EXAMINATION
Completing our trio of Skills Competitions, the Autumn Semester also saw the successful running of the UTS LSS Open Witness Examination Competition, featuring a highly competitive and engaged cohort. The Spring Semester will see the UTS LSS Junior Witness Examination Competition, encouraging junior engagement with building their courtroom advocacy skills.
INTERVARSITY SKILLS
The Autumn Semester saw the return of our flagship intervarsity skills event, the UTS LSS Maddocks Intervarsity Negotiation Competition, which attracted a record numbe universities. In the Sp Semester, we look forward hosting the UTS LSS x M Margaret Cunneen Intervarsity Witness Examina Competition, and continuing engagement with exter organised skills competi such as the HSFK-NLU D International Negotia Competition, and the UNSW Intervarsity Skills Competition
COMPETITIONS GUIDE
A key initiative introduced at the beginning of this year was the launch of our inaugural UTS LSS Competitions Guide. This comprehensive guide was created to increase the accessibility and awareness of our competitions to students and equip our members, especially first-time competitors, with the knowledge they need to participate confidently It provides an overview of each competition, outlines eligibility, and includes practical tips from past competitors. The guide has been instrumental in reducing barriers to entry and enhancing transparency, and we intend to update and refine it each year moving forward.
CONCLUSION
We are incredibly proud of the strong engagement, diversity of opportunities, and culture of inclusion that the 2025 Competitions Portfolio has fostered in the first half of our term Looking forward, our focus remains on consolidating our progress and delivering an ambitious Spring Semester filled with educational, competitive, and community-building opportunities for all our UTS LSS members.
Vice-President
(Education) Address
What a semester it has been! From academic assistance to social events, the Education Portfolio has been on a roll! We’ve broken records, seen consistent attendance and have provided so many opportunities for law students to form genuine connections with those around them.
THE BUDDY PROJECT
This year, the team saw 310 buddies register for the program, made up of 275 Junior Buddies and 135 Senior Buddies This success has flowed from the strong reputation of the Buddy Project in 2024, following the program winning the “Best Engagement Initiative” at the Australian Law Students Association conference, and the reliable network the UTS LSS has with the Faculty of Law Strong promotion of the program was best built at Orientation and First Year exclusive events, as well as through positive experiences of Junior Buddies in 2024, who returned to the program as Senior Buddies in 2025
The Buddy Project has seen strong attendance levels across all of the events, including the Launch event which was held on the rooftop of Building 2, and the annual Sip and Sing which was held, for the first time, at Arcade Bar & Club. Attendees saw some unforgettable performances and some amazing costumes throughout the night
ROSALIA BAUTISTA
SPEAKER SERIES I
The first iteration of the Speaker Series was a collaboration with the Social Justice and Careers portfolios. The theme for this year was “What’s in her toolkit: Tips, Branding and Resilience in Practice,” and the event was held at the Clayton Utz office and saw an amazing turnout The theme aimed to discuss how female identifying individuals can adapt their personal qualities and bring them into workplace environments and beyond Our panellists provided excellent insight on the theme, opening up the dialogue of how to keep authenticity in the workplace and overcoming gender based issues women may face
PEER MENTORING
Peer Mentoring has been a huge success with several workshops have been provided to cover assessments and study methods for first year subjects The training day was a great experience getting everyone up to speed There are currently plans to expand the engagement of Peer Mentoring by a Study Hall in Semester 2, and for an expansion of subjects covered
ADVOCATES MENTORING PROGRAM
The Advocates Mentoring Program has received positive reviews from its participants; after making the initial pairings and carrying out an initial welcome event, the pairings have made their own arrangements for students to meet with barristers to learn tips and tricks The feedback since then has detailed numerous meetings with Barristers in a range of professional settings, indicating that the program has met its purpose of helping students develop lasting mentoring relationships.
EQUITY X WELLBEING PANEL
The Equity x Wellbeing Panel was an enjoyable collaborative effort carried out with the Social Justice Portfolio which amounted to an engaging panel discussion hosted at the Baker McKenzie office in Barangaroo The discussion was highly compelling, thanks to a well crafted group of contributors who offered frank disclosure about their experiences in the legal industry and provided tips on managing mental health in the process of leaving student life and entering the profession.
SMILE PROJECT
The Smile Project event for 2025 was a smash hit! The efforts of the Wellbeing Subcommittee were also a huge positive for the event, providing an incredible effort assisting its organisation. Smile Project unlocked some inner artists despite the rainy weather, and put a smile on attendees faces
LAW SCHOOL MANUAL
The 2025 publications work began with the Law School Manual when planning began late in the 2024 Spring session The final design was inspired by a mystery theme which “unlocks UTS Law ” A total of 400 copies were printed this year, over three times the 2023 figure, which allowed for the LSM to reach more eager readers Overall, the standard of this publication and its mystery theme is a testament to the creativity of the publications team.
(Marketing Address Vice-President
This year, the primary objective of the Marketing Portfolio is to increase the exposure of the UTS LSS across all social media platforms whilst boosting engagement from both members and the wider UTS community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
To strengthen our online presence, the Marketing Team has continued to push the boundaries of creativity in our visual outputs Eye-catching graphics for events such as the UTS LSS BSOC Cruise, First-Year Law Camp, Drag Trivia, Sip & Sing, and most notably, Law Ball, have significantly increased our engagement rates across all social media platforms.
Interactive Instagram stories and the regular sharing of student achievements have fostered a greater sense of community online These highlights have helped us showcase the achievements of UTS Law students, ensuring their accomplishments are celebrated by our audience
SIYA KHATRI
Sharing event recaps has consistently attracted high levels of interaction and positive feedback, allowing students to relive memorable moments while also sparking interest and encouraging greater involvement from others. Additionally, our TikTok content continues to thrive, offering casual and relatable videos that resonate with students on a more informal level
NEW INITIATIVES
With support from the Queer Representative, we have expanded our outreach to the LGBTQIA+ law student community on Facebook Through targeted marketing, we have seen a measurable increase in engagement with LGBTQIA+ events, demonstrating the effectiveness of inclusive strategies
In collaboration with the Brennan Program Director, we have launched a new initiative to publish Brennan Justice Program submissions on our social media platforms. This has opened up new avenues for UTS LSS members to engage with the program
and the society more broadly
The UTS LSS website has also seen major improvements under the creative guidance of the IT Director. New features such as the website carousels, seen on the Sparke Helmore Careers Blog and the Allens Diverse-Abilities Blog, have significantly improved navigation, making information more accessible and enhancing overall user engagement
OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LOOKING INTO SPRING
Moving into the next semester, we are looking at conducting a merch drop and releasing new merch
The Marketing Portfolio encourages all members of the UTS LSS to reach out to vpm@utslss com if they have any ideas for our team We aim to remain responsive to the interests of our broader community, and hope that our efforts to engage you throughout the Autumn Session has been effective.
Vice-President
(SocialJustice Address
EVA OSSOWSKI
The first half of 2025 has been an exciting and energising time for the Social Justice portfolio From launching new events to strengthening long-standing initiatives, our focus has been on building spaces that prioritise accessibility, community, and celebration. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many thoughtful and driven students who continue to engage critically with issues of justice and equity in both legal and broader social contexts!
One of the highlights of the semester was our participation in the annual Walk for WAGEC With perfect weather and an enthusiastic turnout, our team raised thousands of dollars to support the Women and Girls Emergency Centre. This initiative continues to be a powerful reminder of the collective impact students can have when we show up for the causes we care about
Another standout moment came from our Equity Charity Trivia Night, which raised funds for the Justice & Equity Centre The event brought together students from across the faculty in support of the Centre’s vital work, and it was a joy to
connect directly with members of their team.
The night reinforced the strong sense of community that underpins our portfolio and the importance of supporting those working on the ground for justice
This semester also saw the introduction of a new event to our calendar: Drag Trivia. Held in collaboration with MULS and SULS, and attended by students from WSU and UNSW, the event was a celebration of queer identity, joy, and community. It was an especially affirming night for students across campuses to gather and connect in a space that welcomed both authenticity and celebration
We also had the opportunity to take part in the Intervarsity Women in Law Conference alongside UNSW and USYD Centred on the theme of advocacy for self and for others the event brought together law students and professionals to reflect on the evolving nature of leadership and allyship in the legal field It was a rich and meaningful day, and we ’ re proud to have contributed to its success.
Alongside these key events, we ’ ve continued to support the incredible consistency of the Social Justice portfolio through a range of initiatives. The Brennan Discussion Groups and Justice Talks Series have continued to offer meaningful forums for student reflection The Women’s Mentoring Program has sustained its important work in fostering connections between students and legal professionals. We’ve supported equitable access to resources through the Textbook Equity Scheme, relaunched the Diverse Abilities Blog, and hosted the Equity x Wellbeing Panel which explored the intersections of mental health, identity, and legal education We also enjoyed the first crossportfolio Speaker Series for Women in Law, a collaboration we hope will continue to grow in the years to come
None of these achievements would have been possible without the commitment of our Social Justice directors, representatives, and Justice Action Committee Their hard work behind the scenes has shaped every event and initiative this semester, and I’m so grateful for their energy, creativity, and leadership.
We are so excited for all of our spring initiatives to kick off be sure to check out our Directors’ and Representatives’ reports for more details on how to get involved!
R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
ADDRESSES
Women's Representative Address
2025 has definitely started out strong for the women in UTS law. In semester one there were many opportunities for students to empower themselves and other women!
To start there was the Speaker Series, ‘What’s in her tool kit?’ Held at the Clayton Utz Office, the inter-portfolio collaboration was a huge success The all female pannel discussed topics including marketing yourself, issues of imposter syndrome and challenges of gender stereotypes in the field of law.
Shortly after was the launch of the annual women ’ s mentoring program held at DLA Piper! This year the quality of applications was outstanding, and we were blown away by the number of submissions from UTS Law students across various backgrounds, year levels, and degree combinations Ultimately we were proud to have formed around 30 mentor/mentee pairings who met for the first time at our launch night! It was great to see the beginning of what we hope to be meaningful mentorships
The next big event was the Women in Law Intervarsity Conference hosted at UNSW This event was organised over
AVA KEEVERS
many months in collaboration with the women ’ s representatives of the USYD and UNSW This year the theme was ‘Raising the Bar - Advocating for yourself and others’ The day consisted of two pannels, the first focusing on advocacy for the community and the second on advocacy for yourself in the legal field It was amazing to hear from the experiences of so many esteemed women in the field, including the key note speaker Her Honor Justice Dina Yehia SC
Finally, Semester 1 finished with the Walk for WAGEC WAGEC is a charity organisation which supports women and children who have experienced domestic violence. The Walk for WAGEC was a powerful day to support a great cause
With starting the new semester in mind, I encourage everyone to continue to involve themselves in supporting these causes As always I am keen to hear about your ideas or suggestions on how we can continue to empower women in our community For updates on events make sure to follow the Women’s Collective Facebook page If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to me women@utslss com
Accessibility Representative Address
My role as the Accessibility Representative for the UTS LSS has been both rewarding and energising. Early in the year, I successfully advocated for renaming the position from "Disability Representative" to "Accessibility Representative" - a change that better reflects the inclusive nature of the role as a point of contact for all students seeking support, not only those with disabilities
This year, I relaunched the DiverseAbilities Blog for its fifth edition. The blog continues to be a powerful platform to raise awareness of disability in legal education, challenge ableism, and amplify student voices It invites honest reflections on the structural barriers within law school and the profession, while promoting the need for inclusive reform and equity for future legal professionals. It has also given me deeper insight into the complexities of current university policies and practices, and how to effectively advocate for students’
KIKI LOKE
accessibility needs by working to shift institutional procedures.
My major initiative for the second semester is organising the 2025 Accessibility Panel: Intersectionality, Law Reform, and Shaping Inclusive Futures I’m especially excited to moderate this event and engage in conversation with four leading experts in disability law and justice It’s an incredible opportunity for students and attendees to gain insight into evolving legal frameworks, network with professionals, and be part of an open, meaningful discussion about change in the legal landscape
Looking ahead, I hope this relatively new role continues to grow - building stronger connections between students, faculty, other universities and the broader legal community. I’ve met many inspiring advocates and professionals I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise, and I feel so grateful to be part of such a supportive Social Justice portfolio and UTS LSS Council
HUW WATSON
FirstNations Representative Address
This year, one of my main goals has been to strengthen the First Nations presence within the LSS by encouraging greater engagement with our events among First Nations law students. It’s been great to see that space slowly grow, and I’m excited to keep building on that momentum.
Next semester, I’m planning to run a barbecue fundraiser to support the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) With help from the Social Justice portfolio and broader student community, we ’ re hoping to raise funds and awareness for the important work the ALS does in advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Keep an eye out for more details I’d love to see you there!
This year I’ve also had the opportunity to work alongside the Law Faculty in advocating for the meaningful inclusion of Indigenous content within the Bachelor of Laws.
One of the highlights has been writing a media release on behalf of the LSS in support of this initiative — a small but important step in affirming the value of Indigenous knowledge in legal education.
Thanks to everyone who’s supported these efforts so far here’s to continuing the work next semester
Queer Representative Address
A big focus for my tenure as Queer Students’ Representative for 2025 has been in strengthening our intervarsity connections and networks first established by my earlier predecessors The kick-off to our year of Queer events in 2025 was the very successful Drag Trivia hosted in collaboration with MULS and SULS. We saw great engagement across the board from all universities, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students Absolutely loved to create an environment where we could all come together for some fun before heading into exam season alongside stunning performances from a local drag queen and a highly competitive trivia match won by a team of (mostly) LSS students! 2025 saw the Queer Intervarsity network soar to new heights as I represented UTS, alongside the Vice-President (Social Justice), as a delegate to roundtable discussions hosted at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Ashurst With deeper and newer connections forged with both these partner firms, and with our fellow social justice representatives at Western Sydney, ACU, ANU and Newcastle, there is so much fertile ground to further collaboration with benefits for students that will certainly be reaped in the semesters to come.
DECLAN BOLGER
For the remainder of my tenure, I would like students to remain engaged and excited for the opportunities to engage in professional environments and our intervarsity networks I want to continue to create opportunities for LGBTQIA+ law students to see themselves within the legal profession with upcoming panels hosted in collaboration with the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights and UNSW Law Society focused on the intersections of Queer identity and the law. I am also especially excited for the annual Pride Mooting competition between UNSW, SULS, and MULS in October where we will also be welcoming some very exciting Judges
I am very excited to see what the rest of the year holds, and to see what future tenures make of this role
First-Year Representativ Address
What an amazing semester it's been! For many of the First-Years, this is the very beginning of their university journey and despite the challenges that come with settling into a new environment, we saw great engagement in First-Year and UTS LSS events, and the effort from everyone to put themselves out of their comfort zones and make new connections was so awesome to see
Firsties, from us to you: it has been such a privilege representing such an enthusiastic, open and generous First-Year cohort
Following the success of camp, First-Year drinks and the Start of Semester Party, our big First-Year event was the Hustle & Hunt. The cohort arrived fantastically dressed in their colour-themed costumes, embracing the randomised groups and mingling as they ran around the city completing different tasks which ultimately created long-lasting memories for all involved It was a successful night and we can't wait for next semester's events!
One of our goals when we took on the role of First-Year Representatives was to get FirstYears involved in all the different facets of the Law Society, not just the First-Year social events It has been such a pleasure seeing those familiar faces at the Speaker Series, competitions grand finals, Buddy project gatherings and Trivia Night
MAX GALANTI ANNABELLE WU
In the coming semester, we encourage everyone to continue getting involved in the opportunities that the UTS LSS brings, including competitions, social justice opportunities, networking events, and so much more! Our community is built around inclusivity, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us or any UTS LSS council members to find out more about how you can get involved!
This semester, we have had the privilege to work alongside the amazing Education portfolio, who have helped us become active council members as well as taking part in the organisation of staple events like the Buddy Project Launch, Sip & Sing, and the Smile Project. To Rosalia and the whole team, we thank you for taking us under your wing as we work towards delivering the best events and opportunities possible!
So, what next?
We are just getting started, Firsties The coming semester will feature even more social events, competitions, and opportunities to get involved! In particular, keep your eyes peeled for our second major first year event!
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, we are here to represent you Let’s keep this energy going, and make the second half of our first year as memorable as the first
UTS LSS Council
SECRETARIAT
President - Nipun Kar
Secretary - Harrison O’Brien
Treasurer - Wafa Rahman
Vice-President (Sponsorship) - Antonia Assaf
ACTIVITIES
Vice-President (Activities) - Natasha Abdulghani
Socials Director - James Massasso
Socials Director - Isadora Lianos
Sports Director - Anna Sundquist
CAREEERS
Vice-President (Careers) - Clairessa Ng
Careers (Activities) Director - Pablo Aquino
Careers (Activities) Director - Olivia Davis
Careers (Publications) Director - Jessica Trinh
COMPETITIONS
Vice-President (Competitions) - Georgia Mitchell
Vice-President (Competitions) - Youngone Oh
Subject Mooting Director - Rishabh Vats
Subject Mooting Director - Oliver Crawford
Intervarsity Mooting Director - Oscar Platt
Mooting Development Director - Zachary Boswell
Witex Director - Alexander Marinos
Client Interview Director - Jacqueline Lee
Negotiation Director - Mahir Munot
Intervarsity Skills Director - Chantelle Truong
Written Skills Director - Daniel Hayes
EDUCATION
Vice-President (Education) - Rosalia Bautista
Education Engagement Director - Matthew Ham
Education Engagement Director - Kyarah Bouchahine
Education (Publications) Director - William Staber
Education (Publications) Director - Imeelya Al Hadaya
Wellbeing Director - Sophie Hamilton
MARKETING
Vice-President (Marketing) - Siya Khatri
Marketing Director - Joseph Papa
Marketing Director - Ananya Sharma
Marketing Director - Sophie Grzina
Marketing Director - Evan Hronis
Information Technology Director - Vincent Aqui
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Vice-President (Social Justice) - Eva Ossowski
Equity Director - Sarah Pratt
Brennan Director - Ma’ayan Granot
Brennan Director - Chloe Ferreira
REPRESENTATIVES
Women's Representative - Ava Keevers
First Nations Representative - Huw Watson
Queer Representative - Declan Bolger
Accessibility Representative - Kiki Loke
Postgraduate Representative - Yasmin N
First Year Representative - Max Galanti
First Year Representative - Annabelle Wu
