From boots to books, Ellie strives to make sports and law accessible to all

Ellie Jones strives to apply her understanding of the law far beyond corporate corridors and lofty courtrooms.

“In law, you have to be an advocate for your client. But advocacy is so much more than what you do at work. It starts in the community,” she says.

“Equity and equality are two very different things, especially when it comes to the legal system. Not everyone has had a good experience with the law so advocating for them is so important.”

^{Ellie celebrated graduation with the whole family.}

Graduating with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts, Ellie credits her double degree at the University of Newcastle as providing valuable balance between the structure of law and the creativity of humanities.

“Having that arts contrast to law, which is so black and white – you’ve either interpreted something right or wrong – was great. I definitely have that analytical side of my brain, but I was able to balance that with things like an elective in the Daughters & Dads program to satisfy my love for football.”

As part of her degree, Ellie acted as Daughters & Dads facilitator alongside her dad, Brad. Working with local families, the program encourages fathers to support their young daughters’ passion for sport, with the aim of improving female participation at a grassroots level.

^{Ellie and her father Brad participated in the Dads and Daughters program together.}

“Not only did it bring me so much joy, but it gave me a different perspective on advocacy within the community. To be able to talk to these primary school-age girls about the fact that you shouldn’t feel excluded. [Like the law] sports are for everyone. Careers are for everyone. Colours are for everyone. And teaching their dads that as well. That was really rewarding,” says Ellie.

Flanked by her parents Brad and Mandy, and fiancée Brendan, Ellie will cross the stage to mark the culmination of five years of study on Thursday, 17 July. Having worked as a Legal Assistant for local firm Rankin Ellison over the past three years, she is thrilled to have accepted an offer to continue with them as a solicitor.

“I want to make sure the law isn’t seen as something complicated and scary. I want to identify ways that we can make it better and more accessible to everyone.”

Ellie Jones graduated from the Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Arts at 10am on Thursday 17 July.

Find out more about studying law here:

Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Arts

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