Griffith law students are gaining unprecedented experience in the legal practice of running the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018), after being selected as interns for the MinterEllison team working on the event.
The interns were chosen by MinterEllison, Official Lawyers to GC2018, to support the work of its team embedded within the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC), which is responsible for the organisation of the Games.
Bachelor of Laws student and Gold Coast local Maddie Lacy said she was relishing the opportunity to work with the MinterEllison team as it allowed her to combine her passions of law and sport, all the while gaining invaluable experience for her future.
“I have absolutely loved the first few weeks of the internship. I feel privileged to work as an intern for such a prestigious firm and being able to contribute to a project I am so passionate about.”
“It makes every day feel less like work and more like a dream,” Maddie said.
The interns will provide support across multiple areas including brand protection and compliance, a valuable opportunity for Bachelor of Laws student, Christian Lecordier, who aspires to specialise in commercial law.
“It is an amazing opportunity working with the MinterEllison team. It gives me a real insight into what it is like to work within a commercial law firm and what it takes to succeed,” Christian said.
The interns are the first to be taken on by the MinterEllison GC2018 team and are a welcome addition to the project.
MinterEllison Partner, Paula Robinson, who leads the embedded legal team, said the internship program is a unique opportunity.
“It enables the next generation of lawyers to gain real world experience, working with and learning from a highly skilled legal team, on one of the most exciting sporting events to come to the Gold Coast.
“It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are thrilled to be able to invest in the development of the newest members of our profession,” Ms Robinson said.
Griffith University’s Dean of Law Professor Penelope Mathew was delighted that Griffith students would be contributing to a project of this calibre.
“The internship has a very good fit with the Griffith Law School’s approach to legal education which emphasises skills and real-world experience from the first year, and this experience will no doubt contribute to these students’ employability at the end of their degrees,” Professor Mathew said.
Bachelor of Laws / Government and International Relations student, Courtney Dalton, is hopeful the internship with MinterEllison will help her stand apart when entering the workforce and assist her in achieving her dream of working in international law.
“This exposure and insight is extremely important as I approach graduation and my entrance into the workforce. Having both practical experience and industry connections, is valuable in setting me apart from other graduates,” Courtney said.
There are approximately 250 internship opportunities available to Griffith students across all study areas as part of the University’s Official Partnership with the GC2018.
These internships provide students with unique opportunities to gain skills and experience to help them achieve their future goals and contribute to the biggest sporting event in Australia this decade.