A young Curtin University student has been nominated as one of the best up-and-coming lawyers in the country.
Claudia Carr is 22-years-old and has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Law Student Lawyer of the Year category of the nationally recognised Australian Law Awards.
“I was really happy to hear it,” Ms Carr said.
“Curtin is a young university and I’m happy they’ll get exposure from it as well.”
Ms Carr joined Curtin after leaving an arts degree at the University of Western Australia.
Curtin opened its law school in 2013 – the youngest in Western Australia – and Ms Carr said its hands-on approach was what sold it to her.
“I liked Curtin’s pitch,” she said.
“They have a huge practical focus compared to other universities, which has been an amazing part of learning there.”
She was nominated for the event by one of her lecturers after she achieved high grades and undertook several work experience placements.
She even has a graduate position at a law firm secured when she finishes her degree.
However it was her development of a website which allowed law students to engage with the professional world that has earnt her accolades.
“I started my own law review for all Western Australian students,” she said.
“It provides a medium for law students to contribute to legal scholarship.
“It can be difficult to get published in terms of academic articles as a law student, because you’re competing with experienced lawyers.”
The review, called the “Western Australian Student Law Review”, is exclusive to students and Ms Carr said it helped develop interaction and collaboration between universities.
The 2017 Australian Law Awards winners will be announced on September 1.
