What happens when you put two University of Sydney law students on a 24-hour flight to London, throw them into a room full of international lawyers, and give them three days to solve some of the legal industry’s biggest problems? For Adele Dang and Ethan Choy, it was a transformative dive into the future of law.

As participants in the 2025 Law Without Walls (LWOW) Sprint, Adele and Ethan joined students, legal professionals and business leaders from across the globe for a high-intensity weekend of problem-solving, design thinking and creative collaboration.

Adele, a third-year Bachelor of Laws and Economics student, was teamed with legal counsel from Nokia and partners from Dentons UK. Together, they developed Know-KIA, an AI-powered staff directory and matching tool designed to help Nokia’s lawyers navigate the company’s global organisational web and swiftly act on incoming ESG regulations.

“The biggest challenge during the experience was to trust and let go,” Adele said.

“We had to move past the ‘artificial harmony’ of new teams and build genuine trust - fast. That meant setting aside ego, embracing uncertainty, and even challenging the opinions of senior lawyers and innovation coaches. It was a whole new way of working.”

She also drew on skills that extended beyond the lecture theatre, animating prototypes on Canva, building sleek decks on PowerPoint, and editing a commercial on CapCut.

“We weren’t being quizzed on legislation. We had experts for that. I had to lean into my creative instincts—and it paid off. Our team won the Audience Favourite Award, or as I like to call it, the People’s Choice!”

Ethan, a fourth-year Bachelor of Laws and Commerce (Finance) student, worked on a solution for US firm Faegre Drinker, tackling the disconnect between young lawyers and clients in an AI-driven future.

His team proposed a three-part development program combining online modules, weekend client retreats, and mentorship to help junior lawyers build empathy, soft skills and relationship management capabilities.

“The most challenging part? The sheer intensity,” Ethan said.

“Each day started at 8am and ran until 10pm. We were constantly networking, collaborating, thinking critically—and doing it all while jetlagged. As an introvert, it pushed me to my limits. But it was worth it.”

Both students came away with more than just an innovative pitch. They gained new perspectives on legal practice, teamwork, and their own personal growth.

“LWOW reframed my understanding of innovation,” Ethan explained.

“It’s not about flashy tech—it’s about serving clients better. It taught us the ‘three rules of engagement’: an open mind, an open heart, and an open door. When we start erasing "no, but" from our vocabulary and start adopting "yes, and" we start cultivating the habit of serving clients as they wish. And those rules aren’t just for law, they’re for life.”