Katrina Ambler

What position do you currently hold and where?

I am currently completing my last subject in the UTS Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice to fulfil the requirements for entry to the legal profession in NSW. I will commence work as an Industrial Advocate, at the Public Service Association in early June. I am enthused by the role’s community service, public affairs and social justice focus and keen to hone my professional skills as a solicitor/advocate. 

What does your job involve?

• Interpreting legislation, awards and agreements
• Negotiating industrial outcomes
• Preparing and advocating cases before relevant Tribunals /Commissions
• Preparing briefings and communications on issues
• Providing advise on industrial rights and entitlements
• Representing the organisation and its members in the public/political arena.

What led you to choose UTS: Law for your studies?

I have undergraduate degrees from UTS in Human Movement and Teaching and thoroughly enjoyed studying at UTS. I have also studied politics/social work and policy at the University of Sydney and International Relations at the University of NSW. So when I chose to pursue Law, I wrote letters directly to the Law schools of these three universities (UTS, USYD and UNSW) expressing my keen interest, explaining my background and asking how best to apply to Law school (through UAC or direct application). The universities of Sydney and NSW both gave rote responses with the tone ..."that's nice..join the queue!" but UTS was outstanding in the response I received. 

I had a personal phone call  from Ms Heni Kusuma the then Manager of Academic Programs Faculty of Law (UTS). On the first occasion she advised me about the new post-graduate Juris Doctor (JD) program and how to I could apply and she later called a second time specifically enthused to let me know about a mid year in-take which was ideal for me. I was so impressed with the attitude and service I received, that I chose to study Law at UTS. I applied and was accepted into the JD Law program and started mid year.

 Was your decision to study postgrad law to advance your current career path or a career change?

I chose to study postgrad law in order to enter the legal profession, which represents a career change.  Previous professional experience includes work as a : social worker, teacher, executive assistant and professional development events manager in the Finance industry. 

How do you see this degree advancing your career?

Having come from a background in social work and health education with a keen interest in politics and public/international affairs...I am drawn to opportunities for communication, advocacy, negotiation, problem-solving and social justice and community service. 

I see my JD Law qualification (as well as enabling entry into the legal profession) as providing a solid platform of professional skills and graduate attributes, from which to advance career opportunities and to effect broader advocacy and social justice aims.  

What was the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why?

A very rewarding aspect of the degree is the intellectual commitment of the academic staff and the way in which they encouraged my intellectual curiosity and areas of interest. A wide variety of options (elective subjects) are available for study. In these subjects in particular, it was rewarding to be encouraged (for example in a research essay or presentation) to formulate my own question and pursue more in-depth research into a specific area. It was also great to have that initiative and extra hard work rewarded with positive feedback and validation. Further, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to take an elective in European Union Law with a visiting lecturer from the University of Hamburg. He and other lecturers encouraged me about the quality of my writing and to continue to pursue research/writing opportunities throughout my life.

What is the most useful or important thing you have learned from your studies at UTS?

"Things are not always as they seem...Don't jump to conclusions!" 

..Studying Law at UTS involves not only the academic learning of the law but also skills acquisition and engagement with Law Graduate Attributes. If learning the law is "the what", then the skills and graduate attributes are "the how ". It is one thing to think you see what a 'set of facts' means, think you know what the problem is and what remedies you can offer to solve it... but it is quite another thing, to delve deeper and to question the facts presented - what further details do you need to know?  the true personal circumstances and individual interests, the subtle and often unforeseen aspects of a problem - usually to do with a breakdown of relations between people. So an important thing I've learned from my UTS Law studies is that to exercise successful legal problem solving requires more than just working through the facts...it requires an ethical commitment to systematic logical reasoning, unbiased assessment of those facts presented and intellectually sound and personally integrous further inquiry into those facts not presented, including determining the likely outcomes for the social/commercial relationships involved.       

Was there anyone in particular at the University who had a significant influence on your studies?

I am very grateful to all my lecturers and tutors for their dedication to the legal profession, to their particular craft and to excellent teaching. I would however like to mention and thank a number of people in particular as follows: 

Lynn Whatman (Student Administration): thank you to Lynn for her ongoing above-and-beyond administrative assistance, guidance and support throughout my studies.

Dr Roberto Buonamano (Human Rights Law) ; Dr Stan Palassis  (Public International Law), and  Prof. Dr Udo Mayer (Europoean Union Law): for challenging my thinking, for providing opportunities for rigorous intellectual debate, for encouraging and validating my research/writing, and for rewarding intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of learning.

Geoff Holland (Australian Constitional Law): for his inspiring dedication and sound legal knowledge in ACL and Media Law developments, which I continue to follow with interest. 

Dr John Felemegas (Equity and Trusts): for encouraging intellectual commitment and thorough principled approach to legal/equitable problem-solving.

Peter Alexander  (Perspectives;Civil Practice) : for being real, personally encouraging and challenging me to ask questions without preempting the answers; and iterating that one can remain lateral/creative whilst maintaining logic.  

Dr Phillipa Ryan (Civil Practice) and Professor Katherine Biber (Evidence) : for being such great role models of a successful barrister/practitioners and lecturers. 

Dr Honni van Rijswijk   (Law and Literature) : for her brilliant interdisciplinary approach/inspiring classes dealing with literary and legal responses to violence and trauma; and the expectations of the law following violent events.  

Professor Natalie Stoianoff (Climate Law and Carbon Markets) and  Katia Falco (Litigation and Estate Practice): for taking time/demonstrating personal interest, for encouragement, sound advice and practice tips, gleaned from a wealth of life and professional experience.    

Thank you to all of you for your contribution to and support of my Law studies at UTS. I hope to keep in touch in the future. 

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS?

(The Nike Advice): " Just do it !"  Make no mistake studying Law, requires a lot of hard work, focus, dedication and masses of reading (you will need reading glasses at the end - if you don't have them already!) but if you want to do it, you should definitely do it... Studying law is a far richer experience  than you imagine. There will be areas that you think you're already interested in, that you can pursue more deeply and there will be areas you think you're not interested in at all but you will find yourself becoming very interested in, as you learn more about them. The law is intellectually challenging and fascinating - providing a rich understanding of the past (how society got to where it is) and full of prospects for changing the future. I recommend you go for it... you never know where you will end up!    

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:Law, or the University as a whole?

It's hard to believe it's almost over... I will miss it. I'm very grateful for the learning/experience and looking forward to where it takes me.. Thank you!