Catherine Nguyen

Which degree are you studying? Juris Doctor

Are you both working and studying? I am lucky to have a job as both a research assistant to UTS Law senior lecturer Jason Harris and a paralegal research assistant to Phil Stern and Nicole Tyson in the insolvency/corporate reconstruction team at Addisons.

My research assistant role involves the publishing of ancillary material for a company law textbook, doing various research tasks such as preparing a citation analysis of Australian commercial and corporate law journals in international courts and literature and case reviews on the Business Judgment Rule and registration errors under the Canadian Personal Property Security Act.

My paralegal and research role involves:

(1) researching and publishing the firm corporate focus papers (on topical issues in corporate/commercial law) which are published on the firm website and distributed to clients and colleagues

(2) attending court and briefing counsel, preparing briefs,  photocopying, undertaking legal research tasks, attending Law Council of Australia committee meetings with my partner.

How do you balance study and work commitments? Working for a partner and legal team that is understanding and supportive of my university commitments is very helpful.  The key is prioritising and being organized – being on top of the assessment calendars is important to prioritising because it ensures I am never in a situation where work and study commitments directly clash.

How have/will your studies at UTS contributed to your career? How have they informed the way you work? Undertaking law at UTS has taught me to become extremely well organized and a good independent learner. In law there are less contact hours than other degrees but there is a large amount of pre-readings and independent study that needs to be undertaken. You have to take initiative and learn to work to your own schedule. I’ve found that if you are not prepared for classes then you do not ultimately learn as much, and the responsibility falls on you to be organized and up to date. This translates to work life – the more you get out of a case or project depends on how much you are willing to commit to it personally, without a lecturer or senior partner spoon feeding you.

What sets UTS students and graduates apart in your field? UTS students and graduates have an extremely supportive attitude towards one another. Whether it’s in a tutorial group, or studying in the communal law area, everyone is willing to help each other out and communicate – to share notes, swap ideas and form study groups. There isn’t the competitive edge that some other institutions are renowned for fostering, and everyone genuinely seems to want to help each other learn and succeed. As a result, I think UTS students develop the confidence to perform better.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? Being able to help people through the application of the law. For instance, I used to volunteer at the Shopfront Youth Legal Centre where I conducted the legal research for many cases. When I followed the solicitors to court, it was very rewarding to see the work to which I had contributed be used in the advocacy of the centre’s clients. The most rewarding aspect of my studies is the knowledge that my law degree has equipped me with the tools to potentially grant an accused person liberty, which is the fundamental right of every person.

What is the most useful or important thing you’ve learned from your studies at UTS so far? The most important thing I have learnt is to never underestimate the wealth of support and knowledge your teachers – particularly your tutors – can provide. They are definitely an untapped resource.

I have been fortunate to have had course coordinators as my tutors, who are passionate and extremely knowledgeable about their subjects. There is an enormous benefit to staying back after tutorials and picking their brains, asking questions without the intrusiveness of a lecture or a line of people waiting, or knowing they have to rush off to another lecture. Also it is nice to forge relationships with your tutors – they are interesting people who have a wealth of experience which they are willing to share, and are genuinely interested in helping you learn.  

I have found I have learnt more and performed better in subjects where I have engaged with the tutor, asked questions and shaped ideas under their guidance. This has helped me to fully understand the course content.

Has anyone in particular at the University had a significant influence on your studies? Jason Harris was the lecturer/tutorial leader for my first ever law subject Legal Method and Research, and subsequently instructed me in Corporate Law. He has been a fantastic inspiring mentor ever since. He is always willing to stay back and schedule out of class appointments for questions and assignment/ exam feedback and is actively interested in the learning and development of his students. This was reflected in his engaging teaching style, which significantly contributed to our understanding of the course.

Jason saw my interest in legal research and has fostered it, providing me with many opportunities to help him on various research projects. I am now undertaking my thesis for the Research Paper subject under his guidance, and would never have realised my potential if it had not been for his belief and encouragement in my ability.

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? Don’t go into Law with a pre-conceived idea of what area of law you want or don’t want to do, because this will significantly limit your ability to explore other possible areas of law to which you might be better suited. I went into law school vowing to never work in commercial/ corporate law, and they are actually the subjects in which I have excelled.

Go into law with an open mind and prepare to surprise yourself. There are so many areas of law and career opportunities, and it would be a shame to pigeon hole yourself into, or exclude, any one aspect.

Find out more about our JD program at our information evening.