Practical experience, real-world projects and summer internships – just a few of Nena’s highlights from her time studying the Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. An alumna of the University of Newcastle, Nena credits these reasons for her being industry-ready and has forged a bright career since graduating in 2017.

“After finishing my law degree, I moved to Canberra and took up a job with a federal government department. Working with the federal government has enabled me to live and work all across Australia and work on complex commercial matters and provided great exposure and learning experience. I have been lucky in my time that I was able to travel to Newcastle a few times for work. It always felt like returning home. Currently I work as a Senior Lawyer in the Corporate and Commercial Law team for a federal government Department based in Canberra. I primarily provide advice on a variety of complex commercial projects to enable the department to achieve its policy objectives ” said Nena.

For Nena, the fact that practical legal training and supervision is incorporated into the program was a game changer. And even though she had offers to study with different universities, Nena felt the University of Newcastle had the most to offer.

“The key reason I chose to study at the University of Newcastle was because of the focus on practical real-world application of the law from the very beginning. From the first year you are exposed to real clients and matters to work on. This experience was invaluable for my professional development.

“The program enabled me to graduate job ready – after completing my studies I was able to be immediately be sworn in as a solicitor, obtain my practicing certificate and commence work as a lawyer which really gave me a competitive advantage in obtaining employment,” said Nena.

During her time studying, Nena was able to engage with the local Newcastle community to provide advice and support to people on their legal matters through the various practical experiences.

“I was lucky enough to participate in the Law on the Beach summer program and complete my practical legal training through Legal Aid NSW whilst I was studying. I also competed in a number of mooting competitions around Australia which really helped enhance my advocacy skills,” said Nena.

With an eye to the future, Nena plans on further growing her already thriving career and following her passion for finding innovative solutions to complex legal problems.

Study Law at the University of Newcastle

Nena Janssens `

Nena Janssens

Practical experience, real-world projects and summer internships – just a few of Nena’s highlights from her time studying the Juris Doctor and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Nena credits these reasons for her being industry-ready and has forged a bright career since graduating in 2017.

The key reason I chose to study at the University of Newcastle was because of the focus on practical real-world application of the law from the very beginning. From the first year you are exposed to real clients and matters to work on. This experience was invaluable for my professional development.