Each year, our law school community recognises students who have achieved outstanding academic success. In this two-part Student Spotlight series, we speak with some of the award recipients to learn more about the people behind the prizes. From study techniques and course highlights to personal motivations and career goals, these students generously share their experiences and advice. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, connection or practical tips, this is a chance to celebrate your peers and also see yourself in their journeys!
Student: Amy Hamilton-Jones
Amy received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence and was recognised as one of the five highest performing Juris Doctor students for 2024. She previously completed a Bachelor of Arts with an Anthropology major at The University of Melbourne. Recently, Amy has started a new position as a Winter Clerk at Clayton Utz!
Q: Any particular study tips for others?
A: Succeeding in law school is really about having a multitude of little habits that keep you on track. Having strategies to help me focus, like pomodoro timers and study music, is always beneficial. I also commit to attending all of my classes, regardless of how busy the trimester gets. Most importantly, I would recommend creating and sticking to a consistent study routine. And you want to make sure it is tailored to you. As I’m a morning person, I will always get to the library early and do my most demanding tasks first thing. Having a routine in place means that study stops being a choice that requires your will power. Instead, you simply show up each day out of habit and get it done. Finally, taking time to rest and avoiding burnout will benefit your study in the long-term! No matter how many assignments I have due, I will never do an all-nighter or study through the whole weekend.
Q: As a recent clerk at Hamilton Locke and Clayton Utz, do you have any advice for students for clerkship applications?
A: For clerkship applications, I would recommend putting the most emphasis on what makes you stand out as an individual. Everyone applying will have a strong academic record. Rather than simply focusing on your grades, you should discuss the things that make you different from other applicants. For example, within my clerkship interviews, I had a lot of questions about my previous degree in anthropology and experience as an editor at the Young Diplomat Society. The clerkship application process is so competitive and having small things that make you memorable will go a long way.
Q: How have you balanced your extracurricular activities with your study?
A: Balancing work, study and extracurriculars is definitely one of the hardest parts of law school! Having a system for staying organised does help a lot though. I use Notion to plan out my week in advance and to create weekly and daily to do lists. That way I can visually see everything that I have on. This also allows me to allocate specific time slots to working on extracurriculars, like my editing and law society commitments, rather than just getting caught up in study.
Student: Lily Puffett
Lily was a proud recipient of the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. She is a third year Bachelor of Laws student and is currently interning at RedeMont in their Dispute Resolution team.
Q: What skills or knowledge have you found most useful during your studies so far?
A: Some of the most useful pieces of information I have learnt so far through my studies
is being comfortable with the process of learning and that it is okay to not have
everything figured out. One of the most challenging aspects of a law degree is the sheer volume of information we have to grapple with. It is not uncommon to finish a subject with 200 pages of notes and understanding this information for an assignment or before an
exam can feel like an impossible task. Learning is not a comfortable process and what I believe makes a great law student is their ability to manage stress during times of intense study. It takes resilience, dedication and confidence to continue on a path which is inherently uncomfortable. But this in my opinion is what makes a law degree so useful. No challenge is too great, for we’ve been taught to build steps when faced with the steepest of paths.
Q: Why did you choose to study law?
A: The reason why I chose to study law was not necessarily because I knew I wanted to
become a lawyer but because I enjoyed communication and writing. As much as
people will tell you how important it is to have a career goal in mind, I view this
process as a journey. Being open to new experiences and trusting your gut allows
you to become your own guiding light. Regardless, if the news as of late is telling us anything, undertaking a law degree is a step in the right direction. Knowing your rights, the rights of those around you and how to communicate with them is extremely useful for so many aspects of life.
Q: Any advice for other students hoping to gain internships or legal experience?
Some advice I can offer for those seeking to gain internship experience is to take the
time to understand the firm. Making sure the firm aligns with your values and
promotes a positive culture is extremely important to help you build strong
professional connections. Legal experience allows you to get a clearer picture as to what is involved in practicing a certain area of law. How an area of law is taught in university is often very different to how it is applied in practice. Hence, don’t be disheartened if your experience is different to what you expected. All experience is good experience and allows you to narrow in on what you’re truly interested in. Good luck and happy studying!
Student: Jordan Garrett
Jordan received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Voiceless Animal Law Prize (awarded to the top performing student in Animal Law). She is a final year Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology student, and has recently taken a position as a Legal and Administrative Clerk at McTaggart Grant Lawyers after completing her internship.
Q: What advice would you give to other students who want to excel in their studies?
A: After nearly six years of university studies, there are a few things I wish I had realised earlier. First, more study hours do not necessarily equal better grades. I used to study every single day, rarely giving myself time off. However, everything changed after my back operation which allowed me to enjoy life like I was not able to before. I thought investing less time on study would come at a cost, but rather than hindering my grades, it in fact did the opposite. Since then, I have consistently achieved High Distinctions, and more importantly, I am more satisfied and fulfilled in life. So, I guess my main takeaway from this advice is your studies are an important aspect of your life, but they should not be your life. It just goes to show that balance really is the key.
Another lesson I have learned is the importance of recognising how you respond to stress. Don’t get me wrong, stress is part of life. But over time, I realised that much of what I felt was driven by my own reactions. Simply put – stressing won’t write your paper. It only makes it harder to focus when you're working, and even harder to switch off when you’re not. I know it’s easier said than done and I am still working on it too, but if you’re actively taking steps toward your goals, you just need to trust the process and it will all gradually fall into place.
I will leave you with a couple of my favourite quotes which sat on my desk to motivate me throughout my studies:
You wouldn’t plant a seed and then dig it up every few minutes to see if it has grown. So why do you keep questioning yourself, your hard work and your decisions?
The key to transformation: don’t attach your self-worth to your results. Attach it to your effort.
Q: What did you enjoy most about studying Animal Law, a niche law elective? Would you recommend it to others?
A: What I enjoyed most about studying Animal Law was how refreshingly different it was from the compulsory core law courses we are required to take. It felt like stepping into a whole different realm – one that challenges traditional legal thinking and brings in broader ethical and regulatory issues. Having had pets my whole life, I had an interest in animal welfare, but had no idea there was such a specialised area of law dedicated to it. That curiosity led me to enrol, and I found the subject both eye-opening and engaging. I would definitely recommend it to others who are looking for a unique and thought-provoking elective outside the usual scope of their studies.
Q: As a final year student, what has been your favourite experience in law school so far?
A: Honestly, there is not so much a favourite experience as such like a specific event or course of study, but it is the friendships I have been fortunate enough to make along the way. University friends understand you like no other friends do, and the bond is truly a special one. Some of my best friends I have met through Griffith, and that would no doubt be one of the things I will cherish the most from law school.
These stories remind us that there is no single path to success! From different goals and approaches, each student spotlighted here has offered something valuable to take away. Hopefully you now have a practical study habit, a mindset shift or simply a name that you can recognise on LinkedIn. I hope you have found inspiration and connection nonetheless! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll share even more insights.