Undergraduate Student Profiles

Amanda Bedford, LLB (Hons)

Law Clerk
McCaw Lewis Chapman

Secondary School:
Fraser High School, Hamilton

Experience as a Waikato Student:
I thoroughly enjoyed studying at Waikato. I believe it offers very practical tools that assist greatly for both the professionals courses and the workforce. Waikato has a very friendly and co-operative atmosphere with great support which makes it possible to excel. Waikato offers much more than a degree and provides flexibility for you to study and achieve your other goals while at University (including travel and study – Waikato offers a fantastic exchange programme!)

Currently...
I am currently working at McCaw Lewis Chapman and am lucky enough to be learning from those at the top of their field. I aspire to learn and develop my career under the guidance of my team members and to become an expert in my chosen area.

Isabel Blake, LLB (Hons)

Lawyer
Webb Ross Layers, Whangarei

Secondary School:
Dargaville High School (1998-2000) and Whangarei Girls' High School (2001)

Experience as a Waikato Student:
At Waikato University you can really be yourself, you can let the geek inside have a chance to shine.

Challenge:
The challenge I faced was making the decision to leave my career as a legal secretary with a very promising career ahead of me – and taking on the risk that I may not succeed at university. As it turns out taking that risk was the best decision I have ever made. I had my "master plan" worked out well in advance so I only had to be away from work and my home for three years. Being at university brought with it more challenges. I intentionally challenged myself by aspiring to get first class honours. I also took papers that I was initially scared of because of their reputation as being notoriously difficult. There are so many challenges in life. It may sound cliché but challenging yourself and taking risks is how you learn and grow as an individual. If something is a challenge then it is worthwhile doing. If it was easy, everyone would do it and having done it would not make you stand out. The future will hold many challenges for me as I continue to apply the motto of my primary school - "Aim High".

Future Plans:
My goals for the future include being a partner of a law firm and being the top specialist in tax, corporate securities and competition law in Northland.

Seung Youn, LLB, BSocSci (Pol. Science major)

Staff Solicitor (Litigation team)
Preston Russell Law

Secondary School:
Burnside high, Christchurch; Senior College, Auckland

Experience as a Waikato Student:
While at Waikato I served as President of the Waikato Law Students' Association (WULSA) in 2007, and Secretary of the New Zealand Law Students' Association (NZLSA) in 2008.

Currently...
I am working as a criminal defence lawyer Public Defence Service in Auckland. I took up the position in January 2010 after a two year period of working as a staff solicitor in the litigation team for Southland’s Crown Solicitor, based in Invercargill.

Richard Annandale, BA / LLB (Hons)

Solicitor
Norris Ward McKinnon Lawyers

Secondary School:
Morrinsville College, Waikato

Background:
I had always been interested in law while I was at school but it was not until I was at University that I realized that I wanted to study and practice law. I had been heavily involved with theatre whilst I was at school and had applied to a New Zealand drama school to study performing arts. I was accepted into drama school for 2004, so I came to Waikato University to start studying a Bachelor of Arts in 2003. During this first year I ended up sitting through a few law classes, and really enjoyed the concepts that were being discussed. So after giving it some thought, I decided to start my law degree in 2004 conjoint with a Bachelor of Arts. Perhaps a factor that influenced me to choose law over performing arts school was that I could perhaps still use my performing skills in the Court room! I have definitely never looked back and regretted the decision that I made! I am currently working at Norris Ward McKinnon in Hamilton - I started as a Summer Clerk and am currently a graduate lawyer.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
My time at Waikato University Law School provided me with the necessary skills to 'hit the ground running' when I began working in private practice. The Waikato degree is unique in that in provided me with both a theoretical and practical understanding of the law, through mooting, client interviewing and negotiation assessments. Many employers throughout the legal profession recognize the uniqueness of the Waikato degree. Another factor is the people. From day one the lecturers are eager to engage in discussion with students, and this stands you in good stead when you enter the workforce with senior practitioners. If I had my time again, I would without a doubt choose Waikato!

Challenge:
The biggest challenge that I will continue to face is the study and practice of law itself! As law is constantly evolving with new laws being passed by Parliament and interpretations being declared by the Court, it is important to stay up with the play! This is what makes law exciting and ensures that no two days at work will ever be the same!

Future Plans:
I aspire to work as a Barrister Sole specialising in Commercial Litigation. I am focused on gaining the necessary skill-set so that I can both competently and effectively advocate my client's interests in and out of Court to the best of my ability.

Donna Hika, BSocSci / LLB

Secondary School:
Queen Vic and Otahuhu College

Background:
I was a full-time mother before beginning my studies at the Waikato Law School.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Studying with the School of Law at the University of Waikato holds on in good stead to continually reach for the top.

Challenge:
My personal challenge was going back to study as an adult student!

Future Plans:
I strive to do the best at whatever I aspire to do.

Achievements:
My achievemnts include being co-president of Te Whakahiapo (Waikato Maori Law Students' Association), meeting my husband, and of course my law degree!

Steve Farnworth, LLB (Hons)

Law Clerk
O'Sheas Barristers & Solicitors

Secondary School:
Te Awamutu College

Background:
I'm originally from Te Awamutu and my first degree was an Honours Degree in History from Victoria University. I moved to Auckland in 1995 and worked as a fitter/turner for 2 years before going to Auckland College of Education to train as a Secondary School History and Mathematics teacher. I moved back to the Waikato in 1999 and worked as a relief teacher in a variety of schools before settling in Taupo where I worked as a Maths teacher. I decided after 6 years of teaching that I wanted to make a change and applied to Waikato Law School.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
I came here to study but I never realised I would learn so much. At Waikato I exceeded my personal expectations taking first in class marks in essays and assignments for Contracts, Pub Law A and Jurisprudence. I was awarded the Evans Bailey Prize for Jurisprudence and the LEADR prize for Dispute Resolutions. I was then selected to be the first student to go on an exchange programme to the Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, Illinois where I spent five months studying with the Comparative Law LLM programme.

Challenge:
To get a good work/life balance now that Professionals has finished.

Currently...
I've now returned to Hamilton and am working as a law clerk with O'Sheas Solicitors.

Future Plans:
To become a great lawyer and a partner at my firm in the next five to seven years.

Jennifer Campion, BA / LLB (Hons)

Associate
Wilson Harle, Auckland

Secondary School:
Sacred Heart Girls' College, Hamilton

Background:
"I guess it was Dickens who drew me to law." Such a comment from Jennifer Campion might seem unusual to anyone familiar with Bleak House, but the highly individualistic law and arts student insists that her selection of her degree majors (English, history and law) stemmed from an interest in literature. "Every case is a story, it's just that the characters are real people."

Currently...
In 2009 Jennifer commenced work for Wilson Harle, a specialist litigation practice in Auckland. Her advice for anyone considering career possibilities? "The great thing about the law degree is that it prepares you for so many different career possibilities. There are a lot of opportunities, so take advantage of these, and try to use your time at university to find out what you are interested in."

Achievements:
Throughout her degree Jennifer was active as a student representative, and in her third year competed successfully in the law competitions, being a member of the winning Waikato pair who competed for the National Family Law mooting trophy. "Litigation always interested me, although I guess that means the 'characters' concerned haven't necessarily had a very happy story!" In her fourth year, Jennifer won a summer research scholarship to the Australian National University, which allowed her to study Australia's uranium and nuclear policies at the highly specialized and prestigious Strategic and Defensive Studies Centre. "It was a wonderful experience", she says.

Rochelle Roiri, LLB (Hons)

Law Clerk
Russell McVeagh

Secondary School:
Feilding High School

Background:
I grew up on a farm in the rural area surrounding a small town called Feilding, where I attended Feilding High School.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Studying law at the University of Waikato was an amazing experience which equipped me with the skills necessary to enter the workforce as an employee at one of New Zealand's leading corporate firms. The structure of the degree itself is such that I graduated feeling confident that I would be competent in most areas of law. Having been working since the beginning of the year, I can definitely say that students who leave with a law degree from the University of Waikato will have set them self in good stead for whatever career path they intend to pursue.

Future Plans:
In terms of my career, I would like to continue working at Russell McVeagh where I feel that my legal expertise will continue to grow.

Jeremy Upson, LLB (Hons)

Secondary School:
Pukekohe High School

Background:
Since graduating with a degree in philosophy he has been working in the area of academic quality assurance at an Auckland tertiary institution. After enrolling in the LLB, he was accepted to the Honours programme at the end of last year.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
I've always been interested in politics and New Zealand history, and studying law ties those and my previous study in philosophy together nicely. Of course it wasn't just that I'm interested in these things that led to me enrolling, it was also the career opportunities that law would give me. Even though I live in Auckland, I chose Waikato because of its focus on Treaty issues, and also for its reputation as having a more diverse student body. Although my main interest coming into the degree was in public law and in particular constitutional law, now that I'm here my mind is completely open to the other possibilities, including commercial and corporate law, whether it's litigation or transactional work. Whereas before I enrolled I thought papers like Contracts and Land Law would be a chore, I've really enjoyed both just as much as Public Law and Jurisprudence. The scholarship gives me a place on Simpson Grierson's Summer Clerk programme for the end of the 2008 academic year, which I'm thrilled about. I was really impressed with their approach during the interview and selection process. At the interview I was asked where I saw myself in 10 years time, and I hadn't really thought about an answer to that. I said that I could see myself pursuing an academic career, or doing policy work for the Government, but equally I was really keen to test myself in the corporate environment - and now I've got that chance. One thing I'm sure about is that there will be so many more potential career paths open to me than before I enrolled on the degree.

Erin Burke, LLB (Hons)

Director
Mediation Services New Zealand

Background:
Erin moved back to New Zealand after 15 years overseas in early 2005. Two weeks later she started law school and completed her LLB with Honours at the end of 2007. During her time at Waikato University she was active in the law competitions, particularly negotiation, where she and her negotiation partner Kirsten Griffin won the Regional title in 2006 and 2007, the National title in 2006 and represented New Zealand internationally in Singapore in 2007, placing 5th overall. At the end of 2007 she joined the commercial team at one of Hamilton's top law firms, Tompkins Wake. She was admitted to the bar in October 2008.

Challenge:
One of my favourite quotes is from the Roman Philosopher, Seneca who said:

Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.

Anyone can achieve their goals simply by identifying where you are, identifying where you want to be, and then identifying the steps required to get to where you want to be. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll get there!

Currently...
Erin is the director of Mediation Services New Zealand Limited as well as a practising Barrister admitted in the High Court of New Zealand. She is a qualified and registered member of the LEADR panel of mediators. Prior to entering the field of mediation, Erin was a solicitor specialising in commercial and employment law. After experiencing first hand the escalation of disputes that could have been settled more quickly and inexpensively through mediation, she trained as a mediator and set up Mediation Services New Zealand. She continues to act as a Barrister but sees the Court process as a last resort only when all other approaches have failed.

Achievements:
Erin won the Buddle Findlay Regional Negotiation Competition in 2006 and 2007, the National Negotiation Competition in 2006, was a semi-finalist in the Australasian Negotiation Competition (Melbourne) in 2006 and represented New Zealand in the World Negotiation Competition (Singapore) in 2007, placing 5th overall.

Rebekah Webby, BMS (Hons) / LLB (Hons)

Secondary School:
Tauranga Girls' College

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Studying at Waikato Law School gives you the tools and practical ability to hit the ground running both with professional studies and in practice. You are well grounded and have a good grasp on practical application. Waikato Law School is a great place to study - it is social, lecturers are approachable and you learn about 'real world' tasks. Being from Tauranga, it was also really close to home - so mum could do my washing and ironing at weekends if I needed it to be done. Waikato also has some great social aspects - whether it be one of the Law School BBQs or the Law School ball, you had the opportunity to be involved and develop networking skills at the various occasions.

Challenge:
The hardest thing at Law School for me was reading the cases - they seemed to go on for ever and never seemed all that relevant. In the real world though, the cases have a purpose and the one you want you can never find!

Future Plans:
To become an effective litigator, and learn the art and magic of becoming a persuasive and effective advocate.

Kevin Glover, LLB (Hons)

Barrister
Shortland Chambers, Auckland

Secondary School:
Hillcrest High School, Hamilton

Background:
Waikato Law School 1996-1999 Russell McVeagh, Auckland (2000-2002) Bell Gully, Auckland (2002-2003) LLM, University of Cambridge (2003-2004) Ashurst, London (2004-2005) Bell Gully, Auckland (2005-2009) Barrister, Shortland Chambers, Auckland (2009)

Challenge:
Doing two legal history papers as part of my LLM at Cambridge without having much prior knowledge of English history, let alone English legal history.

Currently...
I am currently adjusting to life as a barrister after working in large commercial law firms for nearly 10 years.

Future Plans:
I plan to carry on practising as a barrister in intellectual property and general commercial litigation.

Michael Brown, LLB (Hons)

Tax Consultant
Ernst & Young

Secondary School:
Poverty Bay Region / Gisborne Boys High School. My last year was 1998.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
I chose Waikato because of the diversity of the students and faculty who attend and teach at Waikato. I found the learning environment at Waikato offered a great variety of cross cultural experiences and the size and structure of our classes in the law school tended to mean that we were offered a more focused and in-depth learning experience. I found that the Waikato Law School offers a friendly, family orientated learning environment and this is shown in part by the availability and willingness of lecturers at the Waikato Law School to help students.

Challenge:
Working as a tax consultant at Ernst & Young, one of the worlds largest accountancy firms, offers its own set of challenges. As a graduate you enter a totally foreign environment and you are required to adapt to this environment, to learn company policies, to interact with clients and to provide advice to clients. All this can be pretty intimidating when you are starting out. However, my Waikato degree helped me develop the necessary skills to allow me to adapt to and succeed in this environment.

Future Plans:
I have been working as a tax consultant for Ernst & Young for the past 3 years and would like to continue my career with Ernst & Young, although I would like to work for one of our foreign offices at some point in the future.

Semisi Pohiva, LLB / BSocSci, LLM

Background:
I graduated from University of Waikato with an LLB, BSocSc (Major: Psychology, supporting subject Pacific studies). I am of Tongan descent, born and bred in the heart of New Zealand – that is Waikato of course! There was really no reason for me to study elsewhere. After spending my high school years at Wesley College in Pukekohe (technically in the Waikato) I commenced studying towards a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Sciences (majoring in psychology) at the University of Waikato. After completing my conjoint degree, I just couldn’t get away from the law school’s unique teaching style - emphasising professionalism, biculturalism and studying the law in context. So I immediately commenced study towards my LLM at Waikato. Waikato offers a modern approach that set you in good light to meet the challenges and future needs of the ever changing society out there!

Currently...
I am developing strong interests in assisting Pacific Island people to establish themselves within New Zealand and understand NZ based legal systems and processes. I assist in a research project investigating migration issues for Pacific groups. My LLM research focuses on issues faced by Pacific people in various aspects of the law. Specifically, I look into the citizenship rights of overstayer children in New Zealand and the effect of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2005 on children born to overstayers. I also look into the difficulties faced by Pacific people in trying to legalise their cultural adoptions. I am currently researching Pacific people and domestic violence, focusing on the barriers faced by pacific victims of domestic violence when trying to gain protection. I am heavily involved in local community cultural and youth activities and currently works part-time as a law clerk at McCaw Lewis Chapman. The University of Waikato offers great flexibility and support allowing me to maintain an all-round balance in life while fully encouraging me to flourish in my legal thinking and research. "It's challenging, but yet rewarding... There’s no stopping me".

Maree Brown, LLB / BSocSci, LLM

Background:
I completed my LLB at the University of Waikato, as well as a BSocSci in Psychology and Philosophy.I have recently returned from a year long exchange at the University of Copenhagen. Whilst in Denmark I attended the national Model United Nations, and competed as a member of the Danish moot team in the Telders European International Law Moot Court held in the Netherlands. My partner and I were placed 8th in this competition.

Currently...
I am currently undertaking an LLM in International Law, addressing issues pertaining to the problem of defining terrorism, the neutrality of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the exception of aboriginal subsistence to the ban on whaling.

Future Plans:
I plan on completing my Masters at the end of the year. I would like to get a legal job and get some experience before heading off overseas (probably London) again to work as a lawyer for a few years.

Angus Senior, LLB / BSocSci, LLM

Background:
I graduated from the University of Waikato with an LLB/BSocSc (majoring in Law and Politics and support subject of Economics). As an undergraduate student at Waikato I had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in a top European law school's Masters Course and comparably I am confident that Waikato is providing a quality post graduate programme.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
The Waikato Law School academic staff have a range of expertise meaning there is a wide array of possible projects that students can undertake that are both interesting for the students and useful for their future career paths. Furthermore the administrative staff at Waikato are excellent, always willing to help and provide assistance when needed.

Currently...
I am currently studying for my LLM and have chosen to do a 120 point paper. I am writing my thesis on the area of transnational organised crime, how the global community is dealing with it and how New Zealand can improve its efforts to combat transnational organised crime. I am supported in my studies by a scholarship from the University of Waikato.

Willow-Jean Prime, BA / LLB, GradDip (MPD), LLM

Background:
I come from Moerewa in Northland and completed a BA/LLB, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Maori and Pacific Development at Waikato University. I chose Waikato University because of its strong emphasis on biculturalism and because it offered the study of law in context which is important in the area of Maori issues - the law and how it applied to Maori.

After graduating I worked at Te Ohu Kaimoana for three and a half years. It was an excellent place to cut my teeth as a young solicitor. Now I am enjoying being self employed - working on various whanau, hapu and iwi projects and Treaty claims. It's great to be able to use my skills and experience to make a valuable contribution towards our positive development.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
It's good to be back studying. My two paper thesis will look at recent developments in the area of Treaty settlements, governance and indigenous development.

Currently...
This year I was awarded Waikato University Law School’s Haggie Scholarship – worth $5,000.

Future Plans:
It's important to me to keep learning and to keep abreast of political, legal and economic changes as well as cultural trends. That's why I've chosen to study for my masters. One day I'd like to move back to Northland to live and work and I've decided I can make a better contribution if I upskill.

Cathy Rowden, LLB

Solicitor
McCaw Lewis Chapman

Background:
Originally from Wellington, I was educated in the UK and returned home to NZ in 1986 to settle in Cambridge with my young family.

Experience as a Waikato Student:
Studying Law at Waikato University was the best decision that I could have made as it provided a gateway into the legal profession. The Law School has lecturers with such diverse experience and passionate enthusiasm for their subjects that it rubs off on their students, and it is a supportive and nurturing environment in which to learn. The School provides students with many opportunities to participate in activities and competitions which allows students to step out of their comfort zone, meet students from other universities and establish networks of professional contacts which more often than not are cemented for your entire career.

Challenge:
Returning to tertiary education as a mature student presented two major challenges for me. The first was that I wouldn’t be good enough to make the grade after an absence from the classroom of 25 years. This was a topic of ongoing amusement among some of my younger classmates as they hadn’t been born when I left school and I wasn’t allowed to forget it. The second was giving up the security of a well paid job to concentrate on studying full time again with the worry about how we would survive over the 3 years it took me to complete my degree.

Currently...
In December 2008, I was offered a position in the Employment Team at McCaw Lewis Chapman. My supervising partner Julie Hardaker has offered fantastic support and mentoring during the transition between student to solicitor, so much so that I can now quite comfortably provide an opinion in 2 hours rather that the 2 weeks we were used to at Law School.

Future Plans:
My plan for the future is too simply to be the best lawyer that I can be, and to never stop learning.