Deena Palethorpe

Which degree are you studying? Juris Doctor

What led you to choose UTS:Law for your postgraduate studies? I always knew that I wanted to study law. The difficult decision for me was deciding which university to attend. From the beginning UTS stood out to me because of its many unrivalled features. The beauty of being situated in the middle of the city and its reputation were two very strong selling points. As a student wanting to accelerate my degree, the flexibility of the course structure was also a compelling factor in my choice to study at UTS.

Are you working while studying? How do you balance both commitments? I am currently working as a paralegal at a specialist family law firm located in the CBD. In this role, I am involved in all aspects of family law, including drafting legal correspondences, attending court and liaising with various stakeholders in the legal profession. Although it is difficult to manage university, assessments and work deadlines, I have found that if you are able to remain organised, stay on top of your workload and start assessments early, you should not encounter any problems during your time at UTS.  

How have your studies at UTS contributed to your career? UTS is very much a practical university, and as such employs a considerable number of staff who teach and currently practice in the legal profession. In this respect, I believe that I have obtained an education which is grounded in practical knowledge, and I feel that I have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle any issues with which I may be faced in practice.

What sets UTS students and graduates apart in your field? UTS is where best and brightest minds converge. The key distinguishing factor between UTS:Law graduates and graduates of other universities is the high standard of learning and education which is provided by the UTS teaching staff and the consequently high standards displayed by its graduates.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your degree? The most rewarding aspect of my degree was being selected for the Family Law Moot team and competing in the National Family Law Moot. This was the culmination of my years of study and it was a great honour to represent UTS on an Intervarsity scale. It was an invaluable experience to formulate and present a case in front of real Justice of the Family Court and to put all the theoretical knowledge I had acquired up to that point into practice.

What is the most useful or important thing you’ve learned from your studies at UTS so far? The most useful thing I have learned in my time at UTS is that it is imperative to maintain a balance between work, life and play.

Has anyone in the University had a significant influence on your studies? My family law tutor and thesis supervisor, Jenni Millbank, has been a real inspiration to my studies. It is fantastic to have tutors who are so well versed in their respective fields and provide a wealth of knowledge from which UTS students can learn, grow and develop.

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? Most importantly, I would advise prospective UTS students to develop and finesse your skim-reading skills, as this is a necessary skill in practice and a skill you will need if you wish to successfully get through your law degree!

I would also advise prospective UTS students to obtain employment in the legal profession during your studies. Whether this means working as a clerk, paralegal or legal assistant, some experience in the legal profession will have invaluable corollary effects on your studies at UTS.

Do you intend to maintain a relationship with or continue your involvement with UTS after graduating? I am sure it will not be too long before I’m back at UTS:Law to undertake my Masters! Considering the high calibre of the Masters program offered by UTS, there is no doubt in my mind that I will choose UTS for my continuing legal education.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:Law, or the University as a whole? The experience of studying Law at UTS was so much more than I ever imagined. With UTS, you have the power to control your experience. Whether this means accelerating your degree or working whilst you complete your degree, UTS provides the means for the individual student to tailor their own experience.

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