How Studying Law in Australia Sparked a Career in Youth Justice

Not everyone who goes to law school has it all figured out from the start—and that’s okay.

We had the chance to chat with Danielle, a Bond University Juris Doctor graduate. Her journey to becoming a lawyer didn’t begin with a lifelong dream, but with uncertainty, curiosity, and sense of wanderlust.

Now a staff lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid, she’s proving that finding your footing doesn’t always follow a straight line. Here’s how Danielle’s Australian law school experience shaped her career, and what she’s learned along the way.

Background & Law School Experience

What inspired you to pursue a law degree? 
To be very honest, I was a classic arts grad with no set career path. After completing my undergrad, I felt lost and didn’t know what my next step was. I knew I was interested in law as I took a few electives during my undergrad, but it wasn’t until I discovered Bond University that I gave pursuing a law degree any real thought.

Why did you choose your law school, and how did it shape your legal career? 
I have always had a passion for travel, and Australia was a bucket-list item for me; however, I was raised by a single mother and never thought the opportunity would arise for me. When I learned about Bond and compared cost of living prices to other Canadian law schools, I decided that if I was going to be stressed at school, I may as well do it somewhere warm.

Real talk: how challenging is law school (really)?  
Law school sucks. I have yet to meet a lawyer who would disagree with that statement. It’s time demanding, the work is hard, the caselaw never makes sense at first read, and there’s also a lot of students with different backgrounds and personalities that make things even harder. However, this all prepares you for real-world practice. All the warnings they give you at law school, become reality once you begin to practice.

 

Career Path & Professional Growth

What was your first job after law school, and how did you land it?
After law school, I was hired as a paralegal at a personal injury firm. This allowed me to get on the job training while completing my NCA Exams. After the NCAs, I was offered a clerk position and was hired as a lawyer once I passed the Bar.

Currently, I am employed as a staff lawyer at the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Youth Justice Office.

Can you describe a defining moment in your legal career?
I had a contested sentencing for an Aggravated Assault and Possession of Weapons matter. The Crown was seeking further custody for my client and most precedent caselaw was in favour of that. However, through referring my client to necessary resources to assist him with rehabilitation, and many late nights, he was sentenced to only 12-month probation. He is now working full time, has completed school, and phones me occasionally to provide me with further positive updates and reminds me that he wouldn’t be where he is today without my assistance.

 

Advice & Reflections

What advice would you give to current law students or recent graduates looking to enter the legal field? 
It’s okay to be yourself. Throughout law school, professors told me I was “too girly” and my “voice was too high.” I have heard female lawyers also describe this happening to them. I could have attempted to speak in a deeper tone or act differently. However, I chose to embrace this part of myself, as I do not want to lose a part of “me” just to try to please others. Now, I can be the person to tell the “girly girls” that it’s okay to use your real voice and that so long as you’re confident in yourself, the tone of your voice does not change the words that are being spoken.

How do you see the legal industry evolving, and what should future lawyers prepare for? 
AI technology is going to be a huge change for criminal lawyers. We are already seeing manipulated photos and evidence with those issues. I wish I knew how to prepare for this, but right now, I don’t!

What’s next for you in your career, and what excites you about the future? 
I was on contract with Legal Aid, for what was supposed to be 2 years; however, 1 year and 2 months in, I was just offered a permanent full-time position. I plan to stay with Legal Aid for a number of years, build more confidence in my work, learn new skills, etc. The lifelong goal would be to move to a small town and open a general practice, but that’s a long way down the road.

 

About the Bond University Law Programs

Bond University offers both a Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor program. Both degrees offer specialized Canadian law courses that make this especially appealing for those hoping to study in Australia and return home to work afterwards.

Offering three intakes per year, January, May, and September, you can start your law degree sooner, and Bond’s fast-tracked degrees allow you to graduate ahead of the rest.

Program: Juris Doctor (JD)
Duration: 2 years
Application deadline: No strict application deadline; you’re encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

Program: Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Duration: 2 years, 8 months
Application deadline: No strict application deadline; you’re encouraged to apply a minimum of three months prior to the program start date.

Start your application to Bond Law School!

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Would you like more info about Bond Law? Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Law Schools Admissions Team at law@oztrekk.com or call toll free in Canada at 1-866-698-7355.