Expect More of Law: The Podcast

Flinders Law graduate Kristy Zander has enjoyed an international legal career, working as a Litigator in London and Australia. Today, as Director of LK Law, Kirsty has an eye on emerging issues, saying: “Increasingly people are looking to Company Directors to have a social conscience. As a lawyer, there’s a role to play in advising companies about ethical behaviours.”

Kerry Clark, Flinders Uni’s first female silk, credits her experience at university for influencing her rise to Senior Counsel, saying, “Flinders Uni is a place where social justice is very much at the forefront—not only in teaching but in everyday life. I believe the culture of your university influences your outlook and ultimately, what you take out into the world.”

In his first year at Flinders Law, Adam Ludlow had a meaningful conversation with his lecturer who’d noticed him becoming distracted from his studies. “The Law is so intangible,” Adam said to his Lecturer who replied, “You can’t touch or feel the Law, but you can always see the results. The traffic lights, the people going about their business, the daily interactions—that’s the result of the law.” Having rekindled his passion for the law, Adam went on to become a Partner at HWL Ebsworth Lawyers.

For the past 13 years (since graduating from Flinders Law) Kylie Dunn has practised law at DMAW Lawyers. Today, she is Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution and Risk Management team, with a focus on Workplace Law. In this episode, Kylie talks about her experience at Flinders Uni, the challenges of adjusting from high school to law school, and more.

Flinders Law alumni and Principal at Port Adelaide Lawyers, Sari Kheder, is passionate about helping those without English as their first language gain access to legal services. Speaking 5 languages—Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish, English, and basic Greek—Sari uses his multilingual skills to advocate for minority groups and those who may be disadvantaged in society.

Stepping away from the traditional legal path, Brigid Emmett went from Solicitor into HR consultancy. Today, as Senior Consultant for Perks People Solutions. Brigid uses her legal knowledge to advise on HR, corporate training, and bullying/harassment issues. ‘I like to think my clients get the benefit of all my legal experience within a really practical context.’

Attending a Careers Fair in Year 11 (and chatting with our former Dean of Law) sealed the deal on Flinders Law graduate Victoria Shute’s legal future. Graduating in 2005 with a double degree in Law and Arts, Victoria is Associate Director of boutique law firm Kelledy Jones Lawyers where she gives specialist advice on planning, building and environmental law to local government.

Meet Judge Anthony Allen, the first Flinders Law graduate to be appointed to the Judiciary. He says: ‘Everything I learned at Flinders Uni helped me to get where I am now.’ Judge Anthony Allen also credits the stories his brother (who is 13 years older and a practicing lawyer) shared at the dinner table for fuelling his desire for a legal career.

Dissatisfied with his job as a Property Valuer in his dad's firm, Benjamin Goodyear applied for Flinders Law at 30 years of age. Graduating in 2012, Benjamin worked as an Associate to a Federal Court Judge. After studying  at Oxford, he went on to work as a solicitor for many years, and then took the Bar Exam. Today, Benjamin has a rewarding career as a Commercial Barrister at the Sydney Bar.

A law career that began as an act of rebellion (her mum wanted her to be a doctor) has taken The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP on an incredible journey from Flinders student to Tax Lawyer, Partner at Finlaysons, Owner at NDA Law, and, today, Member of Parliament. With a talent for maths and an analytical mind, Andrea originally saw Tax Law as her calling. She was surprised when her path eventually led her into politics.

Assistant Vice President for Genpact Australia, Steven Hailstone, has come a long way since graduating with a law and commerce degree from Flinders University in 2006. Key to Steven's career success—in both private practice and as an in-house lawyer—is his personal mantra: ‘Be humble, think logically, ask questions, delve deeper.’

2009 Flinders Law & Commerce alumni, Marissa Mackie, overcame an enormous fear of public speaking to study law. Now a successful Commercial Barrister (specialising in taxation and finance) at Anthony Mason Chambers, Marissa is also President of the Women Lawyers Association of SA, Chair of the Women Lawyers Committee of the Law Society, and sits on the Council of the Law Society. Amazingly, she also finds the time to teach law at a local university.

Singaporean Vieshnavee Pandyan moved to Adelaide to study law at Flinders because we’re one of 10 Australian universities with law degrees accredited in Singapore—and we’re the only one in South Australia. Vieshnavee says, 'Being an international student at Flinders was one of the best experiences of my life.’ Homesickness was soon replaced by a sense of belonging. Getting involved in student life helped, and she says, ‘Flinders is such an understanding environment.’ Today, Vieshnavee works as a lawyer in Singapore, having argued several high-profile cases and attracted a share of media attention.

Flinders Law alumni Tom Schinckel, who started his law career in Sydney as an Insolvency Litigator, moved to New York in 2019 with his wife (also a Lawyer) looking for ‘an adventure’. He says, ‘If you have an Australian law degree and you want to work in New York just take the qualifying exams which, although challenging, are easier than I’d expected.’ Today, Tom works as Senior Associate at Corrs Chambers Westgarth specialising in insolvency and helping companies in distress rehabilitate their business.

Flinders Law alumni Rebecca Ross has built a career around social justice—protecting the rights of the most vulnerable and giving dignity to people during their most challenging times. After completing a double degree in Law & International Studies, Rebecca worked as a law clerk and criminal defence lawyer. Her passion to serve others led her to the NT where she created technology solutions to help the Courts increase access to justice. Today, as CEO of JusticeNet SA, Rebecca continues the good fight.

Flinders Law alumni Emily Crawford shares the inside scoop on her brilliant international career, and her work as a Corporate Law Advisor in Copenhagen. Currently Senior Advisor for Human Rights and Social Impact for MAERSK, Emily discusses her rewarding work specialising in Human Rights and Environmental Social Governance (ESG). This episode is a must-listen if you’re interested in learning about careers beyond the law.

In this episode, Flinders Law alumni Nicole Catabran chats with Professor Leiman about an app she created in her studies to help clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) apply for NDIS funding. The conversation delves into Nicole’s interest in augmented human lawyering and using digital tools to automate time consuming tasks. Since graduating, Nicole has been promoted to a full-time associate at PwC.

Ashum Owen, a proud Kaurna Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman, graduated in 2018 with a double degree in Law & Psychology from Flinders. In this episode, she talks about her experience as an Indigenous law student with its unique challenges and rewards. Ashum, who now works as a Senior Policy Officer at the Office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, says: ‘I’m privileged to be in the 0.8% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the legal profession.’

Hannah Guest left high school in Year 11 and her future has never looked brighter. After sitting for an adult entry pathway at 18 years old, Hannah was accepted into Flinders Law. While studying, she works as a part-time law clerk at a Wallman’s Lawyers, a financial services firm. In this episode, you’ll hear how a university assignment opened the door for Hannah to lead the development of her employer’s digital compliance platform.

Twenty years ago, Rebecca Wilson came to Flinders Law as a mature age student. After graduating with her law degree, Rebecca went straight from Office Manager to Tax Lawyer in the same organisation. Throughout her career, Rebecca has leveraged her legal skillset across diverse roles. Reflecting on the path to her current role as CEO at Scouts SA, Rebecca says: ‘Studying law gives you strategic and analytical skills which are transferable across many careers.’

Aris and Dimitra Tolis met thirty years ago when they were law students at Flinders University. Since graduating in 1996, they’ve forged ahead fearlessly—getting married, raising four children, and building their own successful law practice. Today, Aris works in civil litigation and Dimitra practises family law in their business, Tolis & Co Lawyers, which employs 10 staff. They say the key to their success is having a ‘fire in your belly to help others.’

Professor Tania Leiman chats with Flinders University law student Caitlin Bishop about how her studies have given her a platform to advocate for the most vulnerable by using digital tools to enhance social justice. The conversation focuses on the intersection of law and technology and the positive implications of law in a digital age.

Alumni Paul Gordon’s early appreciation of John Grisham novels gave him his first taste of the law. After graduating from Flinders University with a law and commerce double degree in 2009, Paul found his niche in intellectual property and corporate governance. Now a Partner at a leading Adelaide law firm, Paul shares his career defining moments as a Flinders Law student and beyond.

Thirty years ago, Phaedra Deckart was one of our very first law students. Since then, she has fearlessly forged ahead in her career, saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity. Starting out as a commercial litigator and in-house lawyer, Phaedra leapt mid-career into Senior Executive roles and is now CEO for a leading gas network operator, Tas Gas. ‘You may stop being a lawyer, but you never stop using the skills from your degree’, she says.