In Part 2 of our Student Spotlight series, we continue our conversations with award recipients who stood out for their academic achievements. These interviews offer a deeper look into how students approached challenges, built confidence and found balance across their studies and broader pursuits. Whether you’re curious about how others manage competing demands or just want to get to know some of their stories, this instalment rounds out a rich and generous snapshot of excellence at our law school.
Student: Charli Broadhurst
Charli received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. She is a second-year law and criminology student and recently won the Griffith Law School Junior Moot Competition!
Q: What motivated you to aim high academically from the start of your law degree?
A: Coming out of high school and going straight into law school led me to aim high
academically, pushing myself to maintain the same results I had become accustomed to.
However, I quickly learned that law school is so different from any other educational path I
had experienced previously. My early grades were not what I was used to, and I began
questioning whether I belonged in this field. Over time, I realised that the start of law school is a massive learning curve. You aren’t just learning content; you learn the language and logic of law itself. As I adjusted and persisted through the demands of my first trimester, my understanding began to broaden, and my academic performance steadily improved.
Q: Are there any extracurricular activities that have helped shape your learning or confidence?
A: Notably, becoming involved in the Griffith University Law Students’ Association (GLSA)
brought me incredible opportunities to make my closest friends and amazing mentors. From
the social side of law, breakfasts and pub crawls held by the GLSA, to becoming involved in
mooting competitions, my learning was shaped by the great minds I surrounded myself with.
I gained practical insight into the pathways a law degree can offer.
Q: Any early lessons you’ve learned about managing stress that you can pass on?
A: In terms of managing stress, I won’t lie; I’m a natural stress-head, and the workload has become overwhelming at times. What helped most was developing a detailed calendar system that balanced university, work, and social life. This structure allowed me to avoid burnout and maintain a healthier lifestyle. I also became disciplined in prioritising my time by task importance and assessment weight, ensuring that I dedicated the right amount of effort to each assignment without overcommitting to less impactful tasks. Law school is hard for a reason, but staying organised, seeking out community and giving yourself the space and grace to learn will allow you to have the best experience.
Student: Tiffany Humble
Tiffany received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence, the Fletch Worland Prize for Contracts 2 (achieving the highest grade in Contracts 2) and the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in First Year (for the top 3 highest achieving first year LLB students). She is currently working as a Research Assistant at the Federal Court of Australia in the Pacific Judicial Integrity Program.
Q: As an international student with a background in English and Psychology, what inspired you to study law?
A: I started my law degree after completing previous degrees in English Literature and
Psychology. My academic background has helped me to develop strong skills in
persuasive writing and academic research. I thought these skills would be highly
transferable to the study and practice of law. Reading long 19th century novels might
seem like an unusual pathway into law, but it taught me how to interpret complex
texts, follow detailed narratives, and critically evaluate competing interpretations,
which are all skills essential to legal analysis.
One of the main reasons I chose to study law was the diversity of career
opportunities it opens up, not only in legal practice, but also in policy development,
government, and advisory roles. I was also motivated by a personal goal to become
a more assertive and confident verbal communicator, particularly in high-pressure or
formal settings. Participating in a variety of moot competitions has helped me make
progress towards this goal.
Q: Do you have any advice for other students aiming to succeed in Contracts?
A: In my experience, to succeed in Contracts, it is crucial to follow the IRAC structure
when answering hypothetical problems. Make sure to state the rules clearly and to
support these with relevant case law (always cite your sources). I think the analysis
section is particularly important, as it’s your chance to demonstrate not only that you
understand the law, but also how it applies to the specific facts and why the legal
outcome follows. I always try to make my writing well-organised, logically
sequenced, and easy for the reader to follow. I’ve learned that what may seem
obvious to the writer is not always clear to the reader, so I take care to spell out each
step of my reasoning to avoid any gaps in logic.
Attending workshops has been especially helpful for developing these skills. I’ve
found the instructors are very helpful for going through practise problems and
demonstrating how to apply the law to different contexts. It’s also a good opportunity
to bring up any questions you have about the lecture content. I keep a list of
questions as I go through the readings and lectures for any concepts that I found
confusing or didn’t quite understand. I make sure to bring these up during the
workshops, and if the instructor isn’t able to answer them then I email the lecturer.
Q: What are you looking forward to in the rest of your degree?
A: Looking ahead, I am excited to continue participating in moot competitions to further
develop my courtroom advocacy skills. I’m also looking forward to applying for
clerkships and gaining practical experience in a range of legal fields to better
understand where I might want to focus my future practice.
Student: Mahesh Rajamohan
Mahesh was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. is a fourth year Law and Business student (m. Accounting) who has been the Treasurer of the Griffith Law Students’ Association for two years running. He has completed an internship at MinterEllison and, most recently, participated in the Vis International Commercial Arbitration moot in April.
What area of law are you most interested in? Has that changed since you started?
I am most interested in Commercial Law, Family Law and Litigation more broadly. Yes, it certainly has. At the beginning, I had no idea about the different types of law, apart from the label 'Corporate Law'. With a deeper understanding now, I recognise the differences between areas like Contract Law and Property Law, or Corporations Law and Consumer Law.
Congratulations on participating in the 2025 Vis International Moot in Vienna. How has it shaped your experience at Griffith Law School?
It was a transformational journey which has converted my theoretical understanding into practical experience. I learned how to become a true legal advocate. I became more disciplined in the art of language, using words in various ways to engineer creative, logical arguments. I created a sense of team spirit which will always remain with me.
What advice would you give to your first year self?
I would tell First-Year me to slow down and take a proper break in Trimester 3 of that first year. My failure to do so made me enjoy my second year less and postpone my participation in competitions. The acceleration also made a negligible impact on when I would graduate, so I would thoroughly emphasise that I should take more decent break. Additionally, I would tell myself to stop stressing. In the past 4 years, stress only ever fed my procrastination. After overcoming it, I wish I knew this sooner. I regret not enjoying my university life more, especially since this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: early adult university. I would also recommend going to the gym - it is a huge confidence booster!
Each of these students has carved their own way through the challenges and opportunities of law school. We’re grateful to them for sharing their strategies and stories. Whether you’re in your first year or final year, I hope these insights stay with you as a reminder that success is right around the corner.