Sydney Law School alumnus awarded Justice Peter Hely Scholarship
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours I) from the University of Sydney, Liam Ogburn will now travel across the world to study a Master of Law at the University of Cambridge.
Following his studies at Sydney Law School, Liam worked as an associate in the Federal Court of Australia, before joining law firm Allens and teaching as a casual academic with Sydney Law School.
In this time, Liam also volunteered with the Arts Law Centre of Australia – a not-for-profit organisation for creative artists seeking legal advice – as well as with various animal welfare and advocacy organisations.
Winning the scholarship is a testament to Liam’s dedication and passion for the law, paving the way for his future plans in commercial legal practice and academia.
This scholarship will aid Liam in exploring advanced studies in equity and commercial law, honouring the legacy of Justice Peter Hely.
The experience will open up doors for the future, enabling Liam to pursue an endless number of opportunities.
What are some of the fondest memories from your time at Sydney Law School?
My fondest memories of Sydney Law School all tend to revolve around conversations with friends, peers and academics.
University is a great environment for dialectical thinking and debate, and I was fortunate to meet many intelligent and engaging peers interested in discussing law, literature, philosophy and everything in between.
The post-exam pub celebrations with mates were also terrific, if not strictly part of the coursework.
What was the highlight of your studies here?
Completing my honours thesis on equitable tracing under the supervision of Professor Jamie Glister.
The honours program is a great opportunity to elevate your legal research and writing to a higher scholarly standard whilst pursuing an area of academic interest. In this sense, it is a unique and worthwhile intellectual opportunity to bookend your studies with.
Shout out to Jamie for his guidance and moments of comic relief throughout the process.
What does winning this scholarship mean to you?
I feel very privileged to have received a tertiary education, let alone be afforded the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study overseas.
The costs of overseas study are well known and present a barrier for many. The Justice Peter Hely Scholarship has made this opportunity possible and that is not lost on me.
I hope to use my time at Cambridge to learn more about equity and commercial law in keeping with the scholarship's aims and the late Justice Peter Hely's contributions.
What are your future plans?
After postgraduate study, I’d like to return to commercial legal practice for a few years before going to the Bar.
I'd also like to explore a career in academia, as my time teaching with Sydney Law School has been very rewarding and I find legal research to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the law.
Do you have any advice for students looking to pursue further study?
I'd encourage those currently studying to invest in the process rather than the outcome.
Read widely, explore your intellectual interests, test your ideas and arguments with peers, welcome different perspectives and relish the intellectual challenges that law school provides.
Not only are these practices conducive to lifelong learning, but they will also contribute to a better understanding of why you want to pursue further study and what you hope to get out of it.
For those applying, start your research and preparation early. Familiarise yourself with the requirements for each course application and their funding deadlines.
Prioritise time-intensive tasks (such as drafting your reasons for applying) and anything requiring the input of others (such as requesting references from academic staff or employers).
Keep your head up and good luck!
