RMIT will inspire you to turn your passion and talent for law into a successful career. JURIS DOCTOR INFORMATION SESSION
Our Juris Doctor program Our students come from diverse backgrounds and we value this diversity. Our graduates are confident, creative people, competent in the use of digital technology and ready to make a positive contribution to the organisations and communities they serve. Danica decided to make a half time career change, transitioning from a senior marketing position to law. Danica Kustura
Our Juris Doctor program The Graduate School of Business and Law has the right mix of four essential ingredients of a good Juris Doctor: 1. Committed academics with great law research profiles, and industry connections 2. Design-focused curriculum, is design-focused, knowledge-relevant and skill-prevalent, 3. driven by case studies and action learning 4. World -class facilities 5. Located in the heart of Melbourne Reasons to invest in our program: 1. Accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board and certification by the Council of Australian Law Deans 2. The law discipline at RMIT attracts an ERA ranking of 3 (World class). Academics in the Juris Doctor program contribute 80% of the ERA material in this category. 3. The Advisory Board is chaired by Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Board members include leading representatives of the Victorian legal community, staff and students. Professor Gillian Triggs Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs is the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, taking up her appointment by the Commonwealth Attorney-General in 2012. She was Dean of the Faculty of Law and Challis Professor of International Law at the University of Sydney from 2007-12 and Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law from 2005-7. She is a former Barrister with Seven Wentworth Chambers and a Governor of the College of Law.
Our Juris Doctor program Mental Health Legal Centre The partnership provides greater capacity to meet the complex legal needs of people with mental illness and to help break the cycle of crime. The Centre for Innovative Justice The Centre for Innovative Justice researches, translates, advocates and applies innovative/ alternative ways to improve the justice system, locally, nationally and internationally, with a particular focus on appropriate/nonadversarial dispute resolution, therapeutic jurisprudence and restorative justice. Video: JD Alumni Sepi Sadri talks to Rob Hulls about studying law at RMIT, the role of a Judge s Associate and the value of mentors. Bridge of Hope RMIT helps overturn wrongful convictions The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT is an exciting collaboration between staff, students and industry. The initiative aims to examine cases where a person may have been wrongfully convicted, and assist in exonerating that person if there is evidence of a wrongful conviction.
Academics Professor Anthony Forsyth Associate Professor Anthony Forsyth is responsible for Introduction to the Australian Legal System and Legal Methods. RMIT s labour law expert is heading an inquiry into the labour hire industry and insecure work in Victoria. Dr Anne Kallies Dr Kallies research is on energy and environmental law, which a special focus on renewable energy and electricity market regulation.her research draws on her study and work experience in Australia and Germany. She holds a German law degree, a LLM and a PhD, both completed at Melbourne Law School.Dr Kallies has previously worked for the German Federal Environmental Agency and has been an administrator and researcher in the Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law at Melbourne Law School.She has presented her work in industry and community forums, and published in academic journals. She is a regular commentator in The Conversation on renewable energy law and policy. Associate Professor Kathy Douglas Associate Professor Kathy Douglas teaches conflict and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and researches about conflict resolution in a variety of areas including mediation practice, dispute resolution and planning. She is a nationally accredited mediator and practices regularly. She has received funding to research mediation from the Legal Services Board, Victoria and the Australasian Institute for Judicial Administration. She originally practiced as a criminal lawyer and consequently researches in restorative justice.she is a founding member and co-chair of the ADR Research Network and is a member of the Australian Dispute Resolution Advisory Council. Associate Professor Penelope June Weller Associate Professor Penelope Weller (Penny) is the Director of the JD program. She teaches Jurisprudence, and sometimes Administrative Law and Human Rights Law. Weller is an expert on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with particular research interests in health and mental health law. She is Chief Investigator on the PULSAR project Working together with shared values towards recovery-oriented practice - Principles Unite Local Services Assisting Recovery, $2.5million competitive grant from the Mental Illness Research Fund (MIRF), and the Enabling Justice Project with the Centre for Innovative Justice.
Sample student journey 16 Core, 4 law electives (must include Legal Practice Management if you wish to practice), 4 law OR non-law electives. Year 1 Introduction to Australian Legal Systems (INTENSIVE) Fundamentals of Contract law Law of Torts (PAJD) Criminal Law Jurisprudence Advanced Contract Law Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (Weekend Workshop) Elective Year 2 Administrative Law Australian Property Law Australian Company Law International Law Constitutional Law Civil Procedure (MOOT) Law Elective Law Elective Year 3 Equity & Trusts Legal Research Project Evidence (MOOT) CAPSTONE Law Elective / OR Legal Prac Mgmt* Law Elective / OR Legal Prac Mgmt* Elective / OR Legal Prac Mgmt* Elective / OR Legal Prac Mgmt* Elective / OR Legal Prac Mgmt* Intensive/capstone Core Elective *needed for practice.
Experience Our curriculum is based on action-learning and reflection to develop your ability to analyse legal problems, present legal arguments, give advice reflecting on alternative proposition and potential outcomes. You will apply contemporary and forward thinking mindsets and toolsets to analyse the architecture of legal problems, prototype and create sustainable, socially-responsible solutions. Unearthed - beyond the surface
A global experience International graduate competition International study intensives Centre for Innovative Justice Study tour International Moots Campuses in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh Globally relevant in everything we do Exchange opportunities
Emily McPherson building The Tom Smith Collection Reading Room, a custom built space for Justice Smith Collection and a dedicated space for our Juris Doctor students Compliance with a 4 Star Green Building Council of Australia Rating for Design Rooftop corporate facilities Learning and teaching spaces customised for adult learning and executive education, collaboration and action-learning. Cutting-edge technology Multi-purpose hall and Student lounge
Active alumni network Join the RMIT JD Alumni LinkedIn group Networking functions Lifelong learning: seminars, corporate and executive education Professional development workshops
Destinations A career turn-around saw Tyson Brown, 37, swap a job in management for one in the legal industry. Tyson Brown RMIT was the only university that offered me the flexibility to study law my way. The Juris Doctor doesn t just prepare you to be a great lawyer; it builds and develops skills and knowledge that are easily transferable to other fields. I received strong support from my lecturers when I undertook a high court appearance during my second year of the Juris Doctor program. This was organised through the Centre for Innovative Justice at RMIT and was by far the highlight of my academic career so far. The Juris Doctor is enlightening, challenging and fun. The flexible structure of the program provided me with an excellent foundation for moving into corporate practice and helped me view the law from different perspectives. As a solicitor I want to be a driver of change. I am passionate about the opportunities that education and the law can give different members of the community. Juris Doctor graduate Jacki juggled working, family and studying the Juris Doctor at night. Jacki Holland David Mejia-Canales Amanda Rawstron Stephen Carlton
Next steps How to apply Enquiries Fees