Being part of The University of Queensland’s successful mooting team was the first step towards a potential career at the bar for Arts/Law Valedictorian Mia Williams.
“I’m definitely very interested in advocacy and I guess my ultimate goal would be to become a barrister,” Ms Williams said.
The graduand was part of the team which won the International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot title in the Netherlands this year, UQ’s second consecutive world-title win.
Mooting is a simulated court proceeding, where law students are able to argue a legal problem before a judge or panel.
Ms Williams said UQ’s mooting program was world class.
“The teaching and the education here is just incredible.
“I think mooting is probably the best emulation of what real life law is like – the going through the process of preparing a case and presenting it and working with other people.
“The Law School sends so many people around Australia and overseas, and there’s so much amazing support for it from the staff and a really good community of students who have done it before or who are doing it now.”
Ms Williams has excelled in a competitive field, securing numerous scholarships and prizes during her time at UQ, as well as undertaking exchanges at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and a language school in Switzerland.
A position with law firm Minter Ellison also kept Ms Williams busy, and led her to volunteer with the Brisbane Youth Service and Homeless Persons Legal Clinic.
She’s also worked with the UQ Pro Bono Centre, and recommends future students take advantage of similar opportunities.
“I think it’s not about doing the things you think you should do to build your CV, but figuring out what you’re interested in,” she said.
“For me, one of the most fun and the best community I found at university was in the Law Revue, a comedy show that the law students develop.
“I think just doing things that you enjoy helps you stay more motivated and focussed.
“The opportunities are there and it’s just about getting in and having a go, even if there’s a risk that it won’t work out.”
For now, she’ll work as an associate with the Queensland Court of Appeal.
Further study is on the table and that career at the bar, but first comes the Valedictorian speech at her graduation ceremony.
“It’s very exciting and I feel honoured and inspired because I know there are so many people in my cohort who are very impressive.”
Image above left: UQ Law’s winning mooting team Tessa Boardman, Jonathan Holl, Matt Singer and Mia Williams, and alumnus and coach Leo Rees-Murphy.
