About Us

The ALSA Conference is the highlight of the ALSA Calendar. Held from the 9^th – 16^th July, the Conference will be attended by more than 500 law students from Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia. It is one of the largest student conference in Australia, and the only conference of its kind for law students. Hosted through the combined efforts of all six Victorian Universities in 2012, the theme for the Conference is ‘Advancing Australia’s Future Leaders’.

The Conference is home to the national finals of 6 legal competitions. Over 350 legal professionals evaluate the performance of our competitors each year ranging from solicitors to Chief Justices. The ALSA Conference will feature a range of other activities, including Australian Legal Education Forums, meetings of ALSA Council, Opening and Closing Gala Dinners with keynote speakers, Speakers’ Forums, social events and

day trips.

For more information visit www.alsaconference.com.au. We can also be found at www.facebook.com/alsa2012 and on twitter @ALSAConference.

The LSA would like to congratulate Hugh Crosthwaite on his medal and commend his dedication to community service. 

(The original article can be seen on the La Trobe website)

Each year, the Victoria Law Foundation awards one final-year student from a law school in Victoria. This year La Trobe University’s School of Law is proud to announce Mr Hugh Crosthwaite as a recipient of the 2011 Chief Justice’s Victoria Law Foundation Medal for Excellence and Community Service.

The medal is based on demonstrated academic excellence in legal studies and a dedication to community service. Executive Director of the Foundation Joh Kirby said that Mr Crosthwaite’s academic excellence and strong community commitment are highly commendable.

‘Hugh has taken his devotion for upholding human rights and interests in music to make a real difference for disadvantaged members of the local community,’ Mrs Kirby says.

Completing his final year in 2010, Mr Crosthwaite has been involved in multiple community service projects including volunteer work for an after school music program and the St Vincent’s soup van. He is also an advocate in raising awareness of issues relating to refugees and asylum seekers.

The multi-tasking law graduate has been central in the development of The Gist of It, a website designed to educate the community about Australia’s system of government, and the Key of Sea, a music recording project aiming to raise funds for human rights and refugee-related causes.

‘Being awarded the Chief Justice's Medal is a huge honour. I feel absolutely privileged to have been selected from what I am sure was a stellar group of talented and dedicated nominees.’

‘I have been involved in a range of activities within the community for many years, and over this time my concern for maintaining human rights and social justice has become one of my main priorities. My law studies have provided me with opportunities to continue my engagement with the community in a meaningful way,’ he says.

Law students have the opportunity to study the law and practice of Mediation, Negotiation and a brief introduction into International Commercial Arbitration. All classes are conducted in English. The lecturers and faculty are globally renowned scholars and practitioners in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Since humble but lively beginnings over 18 years ago, the La Trobe Law Students’ Association (“LSA”) has developed into one of the most active student run organisations at the La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus.

The LSA was formed in 1992 by a small group of students committed to providing students with support services. 

Progressive years have seen the committee expand to meet demand for services. The current committee consists of 24 general members and has a 9 member executive.  At the beginning of academic year 8 – 10 first year students are co-opted into the committee.

The organisation has a membership of roughly 1400 students. As a student organization, our core purposes are to:

• Encourage discussion between law students, academic staff, the legal profession and the wider community;
• Actively advocate and promote involvement in the legal curriculum offered by La Trobe Law and the University.  
• To arrange engaging addresses and seminars for the benefit of law students;
• To organise and promote social events for the benefit of law students;
• To organise competitions for the benefit of law students;
• To organise careers events for the benefit of law students;
• Create and publish informative publications for the benefit of law students;