Hosting some of Australia’s leading academics, practitioners and thought leaders, this year students will have the opportunity to select elective units with some of our greatest legal minds and gain invaluable insights and mentorship to help shape their careers in law.
In Semester 2, 2025 students have the opportunity to study with Professor Rosemary Lyster and Professor Tim Stephens, amongst others.
Professor Rosemary Lyster
Leading Voice in Environmental Law
Professor Rosemary Lyster is a Professor of Climate and Environmental Law and Co-Leader of the Climate Disaster and Adaptation Research Theme at the Sydney Environment Institute. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. In 2024, Rosemary was appointed a member of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development's Academic Circle supporting his mandate. In 2018, Rosemary was recognised by the Australian Financial Review as one of the '100 Women of Influence' in the Public Policy category.
Rosemary’s special area of research expertise is Climate Justice and Disaster Law. Her books in this area include Rosemary Lyster and Robert M. Verchick (eds.) Climate Disaster Law (Edward Elgar: 2018) and Rosemary Lyster Climate Justice and Disaster Law (Cambridge University Press: 2015).
In other areas of Environmental Law, Rosemary specialises in Energy and Climate Law and Water Law.
Students in her unit on Climate Justice and Disaster Law explore some of the most pressing legal and policy challenges of our time. Professor Lyster shares her knowledge and skills on how to advocate for effective environmental protections and sustainable development.
Find out more about Professor Rosemary Lyster’s research into climate justice.
At Sydney Law School, our students learn from world-leading researchers who are not only experts in their fields but also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of legally trained professionals to pursue careers across many fields.
Professor Fleur Johns
Professor Tim Stephens
Law of the Sea
Professor Tim Stephens is an expert in International Law. He teaches and researches in public international law, with his published work focusing on the international law of the sea, international environmental law and international dispute settlement.
He has been appointed, on the nomination of the Australian Government, to the List of Arbitrators under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, and to the List of Experts under the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. He served as President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law from 2015 to 2019.
His unit International law of the Sea reviews the major areas of international law as they have developed over the centuries. It takes as its focus the 'constitution' of the oceans - the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Each of the major maritime zones is assessed, and there is also a review of key sectoral issues, including the protection of the marine environment, fisheries management, navigational rights and freedoms, and military uses of the oceans.
Find out more about Professor Tim Stephens and his appointment to the List of Arbitrators under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty by the Attorney General.
Unique opportunities for students
Professor Fleur Johns, Dean of Sydney Law School highlights the unique opportunities available to Sydney Law School students.
‘At Sydney Law School, our students learn from world-leading researchers who are not only experts in their fields but also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of legally trained professionals to pursue careers across many fields. Studying under scholars like Professor Rosemary Lyster and Professor Tim Stephens provides an invaluable opportunity to engage with contemporary legal challenges and develop the skills needed for a dynamic and impactful career.’
Students have the opportunity to engage with globally respected academics who are shaping the legal landscape, while gaining firsthand exposure to emerging trends and real-world challenges. Whether through research projects, policy discussions, or industry collaborations, students develop the expertise and critical thinking skills needed for a successful legal career.
With renowned academics like Rosemary Lyster and Tim Stephens leading the way, Sydney Law School empowers students with the knowledge, experience, and networks to excel in their chosen fields. Students are provided with a deep understanding of the law and with the confidence and skills to make a lasting impact in their profession and society.