Moot Court Bench Member - Semester II, 2012

Chief Justice

james_iIllich.jpgJames Illich

 James Illich is currently in his second year of a Juris Doctor. In 2011, he was a Grand Finalist in the inaugural Murdoch Magistrate’s Court Moot competition and a Semi-Finalist in the Mallesons Stephen Jaques Junior Client Interview competition. Along with his studies, James works in compliance in the financial services industry and is responsible for dispute resolution. James has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance. James spends his spare time with family and friends.

Excutive Justice

carmel_proudfoot.jpgCarmel Proudfoot

 Carmel Proudfoot is currently in her third year of a double degree in Law and History. Her interest in mooting began when she competed in the 2010 Torts Moot. Since then she has competed in Senior Mooting, McCusker's Trial Advocacy competition and was a member of Murdoch's 2012 International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot team. Carmel is currently a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot team. Carmel believes mooting is important as it helps students develop practical skills and would like to see all students give it a shot.

Associate Justice

ahshiba_sultana.jpgAhshiba Sultana

 Ahshiba Sultana is in her penultimate year of her law degree. Her interest in mooting started when she competed in the Torts Moot in 2010 and has been an active participant of MSLS and MCB competitions since then. She was a grand finalist at this year’s Freehills Senior Mooting competition and had the opportunity to represent Murdoch University at the King and Wood Mallesons Championship Moot at the 2012 ALSA Conference. She was also a semi-finalist in the 2011 McCusker Trial Advocacy competition (with partner Carmel Proudfoot). Ahshiba is currently a member of the 2012/2013 Jessup Moot Team and the President of the Murdoch Debating Club. Ahshiba believes that mooting and public speaking are important as such activities nurture invaluable skills for your time in Law School and later in the profession.

elyse_fernandez.jpgElyse Fernandez

 Elyse Fernandez is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Laws. She first took an interest in mooting when she competed in the Torts moot in her first year, progressing to the semi-finals. In her second year she competed in senior mooting and also competed in the semi-finals. Elyse enjoys getting involved in the many competitions Murdoch has to offer also competing in junior and senior client interview and negotiations. In her spare time this year Elyse is working and saving all she has for her Europe trip mid this year. She will be studying in Macerata, Italy for a month and then plans to travel Europe for 4 weeks after.

hanwen_chan.jpgHanwen Chan

 Hanwen Chan  is in his penultimate year of a double degree in Law and Commerce, majoring in Finance. He has competed in several Murdoch law competitions, including Junior Mooting, Client Interview and Trial Advocacy. In 2010, Hanwen finished Runner-Up in the Junior Client Interview Competition. Hanwen has recently returned from Geneva, where he undertook the Murdoch International Human Rights Program. He has also studied at the City University of Hong Kong as part of the Murdoch Chinese Law Program. Hanwen was also elected Secretary of the Murdoch Student Law Society for 2012 and represented Murdoch University in the 2012 Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot Competition. Outside of university, Hanwen maintains a healthy work-life balance through travelling and making time for readings other than law.

Luke-Carbon.jpgLuke Carbon

 Luke Carbon  is in his final year of a double degree in Law and Commerce, majoring in Finance. Whilst at Murdoch, Luke has participated in a range of competitions, from Junior Mooting to debating. Last year, he completed the Trial Advocacy unit, taught be the Hon. Justice McKechnie. Luke believes that the practical skills developed through the participation in competitions are invaluable, and hopes to further his own skills, as well as encourage others to do so, during his time on the MCB.

Matthew Cornish

 Matthew Cornish  is in his third year of a double degree in Law and Commerce, majoring in Business Management. He has dedicated the majority of his available extra curricular time to working in, and learning, the mining and resource industry. Matthew became interested in MCB through numerous friends who have been involved and found it would be a good way to increase his knowledge and skill base in mooting and advocacy. Outside of university Matthew is an avid Futsal player and spends his weekends engaging in general tomfoolery.

Rosie Blakey-Scholes

 Rosie Blakey-Scholes is currently completing her penultimate year of a Bachelor of Law degree. She has studied and lived abroad in Paris and is interested in practicing in the area of commercial law. Rosie has not only competed in domestic MSLS mooting competitions, but represented Murdoch University in the 2012 Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law moot in Canberra. Outside of university, Rosie’s main interests include foreign languages and cultures, specifically French, and travelling, reading and cooking.

sam_harper.jpgSam Harper

 Sam Harper joins the Moot Court Bench in his fourth year of study at Murdoch. He is studying a dual Law and Commerce degree majoring in Management. Sam is also a regular competitor in MSLS competitions winning Junior Trial Advocacy in his first year and the McCusker Trial Advocacy competition in 2011 while annually competing in Junior Mooting/Senior Mooting, Client Interview and Negotiations Competitions. He has also represented Murdoch in the Tri-Law Negotiations competition. Outside of study and competing Sam enjoys movies, video games and fine pub cuisine.

Stephanie O’Connor

 Stephanie O’Connor 
is in the final year of her Juris Doctor, having completed her undergraduate degree in Politics and International Studies in 2010. Stephanie has worked in the legal profession for many years which has instigated her interest in litigation, and subsequently, advocacy. Upon commencing her studies in law, Stephanie has participated in various mooting and trial advocacy competitions over a short space of time, and has reached semi-finals in senior mooting in semester 1 of 2012. Stephanie has been selected as a member of the Willem C Vis mooting team and will be competing in Vienna in March, 2013. Stephanie believes that mooting is an excellent way for students to apply their academic skills in practice, and is invaluable experience for anyone considering a career in litigation.

veronica_burns.jpgVeronica Burns

 Veronica Burns is currently in her third year of a Bachelor of Laws. She has competed in a variety of MSLS and MCB competitions including mooting, client interview and trial advocacy. Veronica was the 2010 Junior Trial Advocacy winner and, with Alex McVey, was the runner up in the 2011 McCusker Trial Advocacy Competition. Veronica has joined the Moot Court Bench to improve her advocacy skills and encourage others to enter competitions. Outside of university Veronica enjoys playing Tennis and Netball.

vicky_oh.jpgVictoria Oh

 Victoria Oh is in her fourth year of a combined Law/Mass Communications (Public Relations) degree. She recently returned from Hong Kong where she attained a Postgraduate Certificate in Murdoch University’s Chinese Law Programme. In 2010 she, along with her partner, won the Allens Arthur Robson Senior Client Interview Competition and went on to represent Murdoch University in the national ALSA Client Interview competition. Victoria’s interest in advocacy at Murdoch was sparked when she reached the semi-finals of the McCusker Evidence Trial Advocacy Competition with fellow MCB-er Benjamin Holloway. Outside of university, Victoria enjoys spending time with friends, playing guitar and reading.

will_goodheart.jpgWill Goodheart

 Will Goodheart is in his final year of his Law degree. Will has competed in a range of university competitions, including Negotiations (runner up 2010 and 2011, ALSA representative), Client Interview (runner up 2010, winner 2011) and Junior Mooting. He sees being on the Moot Court Bench as a fantastic opportunity to further develop his advocacy and writing skills. Outside of his studies Will is a keen basketball player and enjoys playing the guitar.