Think Global: Careers in International Law

In this episode, Isabella from the GLSA sits down with Dr Bruce Oswald CSC, a former professor at Melbourne Law School, the former director of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law and Legal Officer for the Australian Regular Army. Bruce has seen operational service in Rwanda, the Former Yugoslavia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Reflecting on his career, Bruce provides a number of insightful lessons for law students as they transition from law school and into their legal careers. Isabella and Bruce discuss the challenges of working in international law, the importance of those around you during your journey, and how to make the most out of your career and opportunities that arise.

In this episode Mimi is joined by Margaret Young, a professor at Melbourne Law School who specialises in public international law, the law of the sea, international trade law and climate change. They discuss Margaret’s diverse range of experiences at the UN, the World Bank and NGOs, as well as in private practise and academia. Margaret provides us with an invaluable insight into how the law, both in a practical and theoretical sense, interacts with the climate change crisis.

Emmanuel sits down with David Burke, a Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre in Melbourne. They discuss David’s corporate experience as a young lawyer and his transition to public interest law at HRLC.

In this episode Bella sits down with Jacqui Zalcberg, a Human Rights Officer at the United Nations. They discuss Jacqui’s pathway from her legal studies through to her current position at the United Nations, and her various other experiences along the way. Jacqui discusses some of the challenges involved with working in this field and offers some tips for people interested in pursuing a similar career.

In this episode, Emmanuel sits down with Sophie Snow, an Associate in Baker McKenzie’s Dispute Resolution team in the Melbourne office. They discuss Sophie's work experience in New York and her pathway to Associate at Baker in Melbourne.

Mimi sits down with Madeleine de Garis, a Partner in Ashurt’s Banking Practice in the Melbourne office. They discuss Maddi’s insights into working in various common law jurisdictions. Mimi and Maddi explore the opportunities you can have working internationally and at global firms such as Ashurst. Maddi completed her legal studies at the Australian National University. She then began her career at corporate firms in Melbourne and Sydney, before working overseas for over 4 years in New York, Hong Kong and London. She returned to Ashurst in Melbourne in 2017 and became a partner in 2019.

In this episode Sophie sits down with JX Zheng, an Associate in HSF’s Corporate team in the Melbourne office. They discuss JX's clerkship experiences in Hong Kong and his pathway to Associate at HSF in Melbourne, including his time in Singapore during his secondment.

Isabella sits down with Peiwen Chen, Counsel at White & Case's Hong Kong office and associate Justin Chang who transferred from White & Case Melbourne to their Seoul office on 6 July 2021. They discuss Peiwen & Justin’s pathway to a legal career, their international experiences and important tips for students looking to pursue a career in law.

In this episode, Mimi from the GLSA sits down with Ella Wardlaw, an Associate in Allen & Overy’s Litigation team in the London office. They discuss Ella’s pathway from law school in Melbourne straight into an international legal career in Hong Kong through to her current role in London. In this episode, Ella also speaks about the differences between qualifying in Hong Kong as opposed to Australia.

In this episode sponsored by Clifford Chance, Isabella from the GLSA sits down with Karen Jiang, a fourth seat trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance’s Hong Kong office. They discuss Karen’s pathway to a legal career and her experiences during her training contract at Clifford Chance.