Law Supporters Thank You

Auckland Law School celebrated the people whose ongoing support gives students the connections and confidence they need to thrive.

"Social responsibility isn't a theory. It's a choice, a choice to notice, a choice to care, and a choice to act," keynote speaker Anjeet Singh said at an event recognising the many alumni, practitioners and industry professionals who volunteer their time to support Auckland Law School's students and programmes.

"The notion of giving back isn't just a slogan; for me, it's one of the most powerful forms of social responsibility, because knowledge, expertise and opportunity should not be confined. They should be shared, extended and enabled."

Singh, who graduated with law and commerce degrees from the University of Auckland in 2002, has been practising law for over 22 years, with a strong focus on criminal and traffic matters.

She grew up in Fiji but left during the Fiji coups. "1987 was a time of uncertainty and fear," she said. "I was eight years old… I remember being rushed into the attic, hiding because the military was searching for members of parliament. My father was the acting Attorney General of Fiji at the time, and it became unsafe for us to live in our homeland. My parents frantically packed what they could, and we left."

Anjeet arrived in New Zealand with one suitcase.

"I stand here today because of the kindness New Zealand has extended to me and the opportunities I have received in this beautiful country," she said.

Singh connected her experience to the supporters in the room: "You are the people who give your time, your expertise, your energy, often quietly, without applause, and you embody the very heart of the topic I'm speaking on tonight, social responsibility."

Event MC Professor Scott Optican highlighted how volunteer contributions shape the Law School every year. “The time and support you offer makes our work possible,” he said. “It lets us educate tomorrow’s lawyers and produce research that responds to the challenges facing our communities.”

Optican said New Zealand's size creates a particular professional community, one where alumni stay connected.

"Graduates remain attached and strong supporters of the Law School where they studied and spent many of the most formative years of their lives. In short, you give back."

He listed the range of ways supporters contribute: mentoring, guest lecturing, workplace hosting, the Women's Mentoring Programme, mock interviews, CV reviews, coffee meetings, mooting coaching, and serving as judges in mooting and mediation competitions.

Insert Joshua image hereLaw student Joshua Taefu offered a student's perspective about what this support looks like. "In their pursuit of academic conquest, students will do anything except, of course, their readings," he said. "No expense is spared in the procurement of study snacks, the newest iPad, and, of course, a ChatGPT Pro subscription. Truly, nothing stands in the way of a student and their essay due that night.

"But when the work is done and the essay is submitted, the student asks themselves a very important question: How did I get here? And this is the question I'd like to briefly dwell upon today," he said.

Taefu spoke about leaving high school, knowing he was interested in law, policy, and technology, but unsure where to begin. Online resources, the New Zealand Law Students' Career Guide and the Law School's career development website and newsletter, gave him some ideas and direction. From there, he attended speed-networking sessions, completed a practice interview with lawyers, joined the Career Explore programme, and now, he's landed a clerkship next year.

"I can certainly say that these resources and programmes have given me a foot in the door," he said. "I went from someone with absolutely no connection to the legal industry to someone who, when I have a question or an interest, knows where to start asking."

The Law School relies on a network of people who choose, consistently, to stay involved, says alumni relations faculty manager Fiona Scanlen, "This event was a fantastic chance to give our thanks and to make visible some of the amazing people who put their time, energy and expertise into our students and faculty."