Evan James
The most valuable thing I learnt at UTS was how to prepare properly.
“It was the community of teachers and students I met at UTS that pushed me to be the best lawyer and barrister I can be.”
Evan James got a head start on his legal career while still completing his UTS Law degree – working with a criminal defence law firm in his final year.
He continued with the firm when he graduated in 2010, working on Court of Criminal Appeal cases in the NSW Supreme Court and quickly progressing to trials.
“Within a few months I helped instruct in a major Supreme Court manslaughter trial that ran for a number of weeks.”
Ten years on, Evan is a barrister specialising in criminal defence, sports law and urgent reproductive tissue extraction applications (a very specialised and niche area). He says the most rewarding part of his work is being able to help people who are going through a tough situation.
“Whether they're guilty or not - everyone has the right to representation and to have their case presented fairly. Getting a good and fair result is its own reward.”
Evan credits his readiness for life after university to the relationships he formed while studying at UTS. He learnt valuable lessons both in and outside the classroom by studying with the right people, and says his social group influenced him to pursue balance in his career and life.
Today, he balances his practice with legal aid and pro bono work to help those who need it most. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, he applies those preparation skills and lessons he learnt during his student years.
“Not everything needs days of preparation and reading hundreds of pages. Preparing properly and efficiently means you achieve better outcomes for your client in court, and it ensures that you have time for your personal life.”
Evan is still close to the friends he made at UTS and encourages students to make the most of university life by balancing study and a social life right from the start.
“The most valuable thing I learnt at UTS was how to prepare properly, whether it was for an exam, a court mention, a bail, or a hearing, or trial.”
