Ina Pannu

Passionate about social justice and advocacy, fourth-year Law (honours) student Ina Pannu was inspired to pursue a career in law through her early exposure to mooting and her love for oral argument and critical thinking. With a background rooted in debate-heavy subjects like history and classics, she naturally gravitated towards a profession where logic, persuasion, and public good intersect.

Ina is particularly drawn to litigation – both criminal and commercial – and has her sights set on a career that’s fast-paced, people-focused, and intellectually stimulating. “I love the energy of the courtroom and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through advocacy,” she shares.

One of her academic highlights has been developing an independent research project for her Criminal Law and Policy honours seminar. “It’s been an incredibly rewarding challenge. I’ve had the freedom to explore an area I’m passionate about, engage deeply with complex legal issues, and present my findings – it’s reignited my enthusiasm for law.”

She also takes great pride in being taught by experts in the field. “It’s always a ‘wow’ moment when you realise your lecturer literally wrote the textbook you're studying.”

Outside the classroom, Ina is an active part of the Law School community, enjoying student clubs, volunteering, and the vibrant city life Auckland offers. Being located near the High Court and District Court has allowed her to observe real proceedings – an experience she highly recommends.

Ina credits the Law School’s support networks, especially the careers team led by Kylie Che and mentoring initiatives like Women in Law and PASS Mentoring, for making her journey smoother and more enriching. “These networks helped me feel grounded in my first year and have continued to support me throughout.”

Reflecting on her time at the University of Auckland, Ina says the people have been the true highlight. “It’s the connections – with classmates, lecturers, mentors – that make Auckland Law School such a special place.”