January
Amer Nasr
President
The SULS team has worked hard over the holidays to prepare all events, networks and publications that went live in 2020! We started the year with three ambitious goals of:Membership engagement (cross-cohort, faculty, inter-faculty and inter-varsity);Advocacy (in bullying and harassment, disability services, physical and mental health);Sustainability (environmental sustainability and organisational sustainability).Through our landmark and new events, networks, and programs; through increased advocacy with faculty and other stakeholders; and through a new set of comprehensive bylaws, we were able to successfully achieve all these goals this year and more.
Look at us above implementing our overarching goals with our POP for SULS policies in mind.
February
Amer Nasr
President
Welcome to Semester 1 of 2020!
We had no idea that 2020 was going be 2020.
**Welcome Fest 2020 **👋 Meet our 2020 Executive
💻 Sign up to become a member
💸 Grab some new merch
🎈 Learn about upcoming events
📚 Pick up our freshly printed handbooks
Welcome to SULS HandbookThe Welcome to SULS Handbook introduces the SULS executive team and their visions for the year, the positions available across all SULS portfolios and how to join, as well as upcoming events to help you settle into university.
New MerchWe dropped our new line of environmentally-conscious merch, just in time for Welcome Week!We also launched our brand new online merch store! Check it out here (One last plug!)
We had our JD I Drinks Event at The Marly Hotel!
Alex De Araujo
Socials Director
Rosie Sok
Socials Director
We also had our Welcome Party at The Cliffdive!
Student Support Services HandbookStudent welfare is at the core of our agenda. The SULS Student Support Services Handbook will give you an overview of support services on and around campus, information about transport and accommodation, academic and career support and advice about maintaining your health and wellbeing.
Natalie Leung
VP Education
SULS had our annual First Year Crash Course! This gave a run down as to all the things you can expect from Law school. Little did we know a global pandemic was coming!
The Introductory Mooting Program gets its first debut! Comps looks pretty in pink! We eat pizza during Intro to Comps Week for four days straight!
Sarah Tang
Competitions Director
SULS First Year GuideThe SULS First Year Guide collates perennially useful information on administrative, academic and extra-academic matters such as exchange and law industry basics.
Amer Nasr
President
SULS has always had it's doors open, and at this stage it opened up it's doors to all committees! Welcome to all volunteers who will help SULS reach its goals!
Felicity Marcourt
VP Careers
Thank you to, Isabelle Youssef (District Court of NSW), Nicola Alroe (Federal Court of Australia), Claudia Harper (Federal Court of Australia), and Elle Makeig (NSW Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) for participating in the Tipstaves and Associates Panel.
We had our first (and last) Queer Coffee Catchup of the year! It was so lovely to meet everyone excited about the Queer Portfolio and to chat about the roadmap for the year.
Eden McSheffrey
Queer Officer
Daniel Lee Aniceto
Design Director
At the beginning of semester we developed a newly designed brand guideline to elevate SULS's visual language creating greater consistency and professionalism all while remaining light and fun
This year we also developed better internal systems for SULS marketing and design operations, provided more consistent marketing of SULS events, and revitalised our online presence.
Barry Wang
Marketing Director
MARCH
Miriam Shendroff
Secretary
The SULS AGM was postponed when events had to move online, so with all my newfound free time I made a SULS quarantine cookbook - yum!
Sport was put on the backburner this year as we pivoted to online workouts. The Sports Portfolio also took on responsibility over student health and wellbeing with Campus Portfolio.
Oscar Alcock
Sports Director
Sinem Kirk
Women's Officer
SULS Women's Group brought members of the female student body of Sydney Law School together and solidified a sense of 'sisterhood' within all cohorts.
We launched our SULS Women's Instagram account as well to delve into our creative side & make sure we were connecting with as much of the female student body as possible!
Competitions HandbookThe Competitions Handbook is the best source of information for all competitions run by SULS. You can still pick up a copy at the SULS office.
Alex De Araujo
Socials Director
We mourned the loss of Law Camp, Law Cruise, and Law Ball, and plotted to return them next year :)
SULS launched the Part-Time JD and LLM cohort groups to improve inclusivity and engagement with our members.
ALSA CouncilSULS attended the Australian Law Student Association (ALSA) Council where they nationally advocated for better ways to support mental health in the legal profession, they condemned bullying and harassment in the workplace and discussed collaboration on sustainability efforts with other law student societies across Australia.
April
Abbey Shi
International Officer
There is no escape from the big Rona! We developed the student support groups for international students who were unable to travel to Sydney Law School from overseas locations. Thankfully, the University's Student Life adapted this project to pair domestic students to international students across all faculties! SULS takes the lead on COVID-19 support!
Yay its Earth Week!
Deaundre Espejo
VP Social Justice
Education GuideThe SULS Education Guide brings together important information on study and exam technique, elective subjects, offshore and exchange opportunities, programs to supplement study, further study options and academic support.
SULS CookbookSULS launches a new cookbook which compiles a list of recipes from faculty and students that is guaranteed to make your time in quarantine a lot more delicious!Thanks to everyone who contributed! We hope you enjoy!
Introduction to Clerkships GuideIf you are considering applying for a summer clerkship, pick up a copy of the Introduction to Clerkship Guide. SULS hosts a number of clerkship presentations to inform students about various firms, and to help students find the right fit for them.
Felicity Marcourt
VP Careers
These presentations were a valuable opportunity for students to hear about what it is like working across a wide range of different firms. Take your pick!
The Career Mentoring Program was a fantastic opportunity for students to correspond with legal industry professionals and start shaping their career. In these challenging times, a mentor will provide invaluable guidance in your final years of study and may share insights into the legal world post COVID19.
A big congratulations to the winners of the SULS Environmental Policy Pitch 2020, Jasmine Todoroska, Claris Foo and Renee Preketes-Tardiani. The judges commended their ambitious proposal for a new Act on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.Congratulations also to the runner-up teams, Rowena Young, Monica Shakeri and Jeffrey Khoo, and Josephine Aldis and Vanessa Antonopolous. Thank you to our judges, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Prof David Schlosberg and Mara Bún.
Deaundre Espejo
VP Social Justice
May
Amer Nasr
President
We now know there is no way around organising in person events. What a shame :(Time to revisit our goals for the year and develop interim goals focusing on student support! Together we led our membership through more 1) online wellbeing support programs, 2) better online education and 3) desirable financial hardship support efforts.We are confident we achieved these goals through initiatives such as the new SULS Wellbeing and Mutual Aid Group, the new Peer-to-Peer Study Groups, the new Student Staff Consultative Forum, which served to advocate for a breakdown of assessment marks and 90+ scholarships offered by Sydney Law School; and many more achievements in collaboration and across all SULS portfolios.
Alison Chen
Publications Director
SULS launches a new blog to provide more informal opportunities for people to participate in the Publications portfolio (and capitalise on our student's complaints of cabin-fever and boredom during lockdown)
We’re transforming our standard ‘Spill the Tea Sis’ coffee and tea session into an online discussion panel event ✨
Sinem Kirk
Women's Officer
Alex De Araujo
Socials Director
Zoom Zoom - we had our first Socials Zoom Week!✏️ Monday - Sketchful
🧩 Tuesday - Tuesday Trivia!
🎪 Wednesday - Uno
🕹 Thursday - Mafia
🥇Friday - First Year Night
We realised no comps could be held in person, some comps had to be cancelled the night before. How good... Does this mean we get a makeshift holiday for the year?
Sarah Purvis
Competitions Director
Natalie Leung
VP Education
Welcome to Zoom university. Adapting to the new norm with online classes.
Advocacy is at the heart of SULS. We need to be vigilant about the challenges to the capacity for democratic expression, increase in the scope of police powers, and intensified government intervention into public and private spaces.
Deaundre Espejo
VP Social Justice
Felicity Marcourt
VP Careers
There are a variety of pathways in a legal career and no right equations. This year SULS offered a wide range of events which were aimed at helping students plan diverse pathways into law.
Careers GuideThe SULS Careers Guide is the blueprint to your career. The guide explains the ins and outs of applying, qualifying and practising. We also survey numerous organisations from a range of sectors related to your degree: government bodies, domestic and international law firms, courts, corporate advisory and social justice organisations.
With so much uncertainty we partnered with our corporate sponsors during the clerkship presentations season to help students navigate the already overwhelming application process, which was made even harder by the drastic changes caused by the pandemic.
Mark Teh
Sponsorship Director
Donna Kwon
Treasurer
In an aim to be more transparent with our members, the Treasury Committee released semesterly updates to give you an insight into our finances.We kept these short and sweet, in a way that’s easy to understand for everyone.This semester, SULS secured $152k in income and expended $86k. Check out the breakdown of both below.
June
A much needed break for everyone.
Patrick Lucarnus
First Nations Officer
Reconciliation Week celebrates and furthers the respectful relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. This year’s theme of ‘In this together’ reinforces how every single one of us has a role to play in our journey towards a more just and equitable nation.
International Student GuideThe International Student Guide brings together valuable information about study, work and life as an international student at Sydney Law. It is a rich resource full of guidance on career opportunities, academics, exchange programs, scholarships and living and working in Sydney. The guide directs students to dedicated support services for USYD and beyond, and also introduces other law societies on campus for students who want to connect with others and explore different cultures.
Comps Goes Online: the many Struggles and Successes of the Sarahs
July
Amer Nasr
President
Any plans for the break? Not really. Let's stay home and keep supporting law students in need. Have you heard of the SULS Wellbeing and Mutual Aid Group? Have you signed up to get groceries delivered to you whilst in quarantine? How about offering a supportive hand? In times of crises we have come together (yet please keep socially distanced!).
In response to the isolation from lockdown we created a wellbeing group to share tips and activities that sought to help students cope with the mental health stresses caused by the pandemic.
Dani Stephenson
Campus Director
A strong mind needs a strong body. Exercise is a great method to improve mental wellbeing so SULS held various sports activities to help promote physical wellbeing, all socially distanced, just ask the Dean.
Oscar Alcock
Sports Director
August
Miriam Shendroff
Secretary
In August we were sad to learn we lost Key Card Access to our meeting room spaces. However, we had an AGM and update multiple parts of out Constitution to look forward to.
Sarah Purvis
Competitions Director
Winner winner chicken dinner?
We achieved a 40% win rate this year in intervarsity competitions, up from 11.43% in 2019.
And speaking of dinner, Comps Dinner steamrolls ahead!
Sarah Tang
Competitions Director
We host the SULS x NSW Bar Association Legal Technology and Innovation Competition, an exciting partnership which is helping the new Citations blog to grow.
Sinem Kirk
Women's Officer
Launch of KWM Women's Mentoring Program with over 120 participants & frantically putting individual pairings into breakout rooms so we could facilitate a real networking experience.
Ibrahim Taha
Ethnocultural Officer
Ask Me Anything! One of our most loved social media initiatives - but don't ask why I'm standing on a mountain posing for a tourism ad.
Juvenile Justice Mentoring SchemeWith social restrictions easing, SULS is pleased to announce that the Juvenile Justice Mentoring Scheme is up and running again! For the first session, students provided advice on job and interview skills to the young people in remand.Congratulations to the Co-Chairs, Elle, Tiffany and Samuel for getting the initiative back on its feet!
HearsayHearsay is published at the beginning of Semester 2 and offers members and students an insight into the objectives and achievements of the SULS executive. It is a transparency document to keep the elected executive accountable. Hearsay is also a useful tool for those interested in learning more about the duties and responsibilities of the SULS executive.
Donna Kwon
Treasurer
Our audited financial report for the 2019-2020 financial year as well as our Annual Information Statement is publicly available now on the ACNC website. Below is a snapshot of our income and expenditure for 2019-2020.
September
Amer Nasr
President
Finally time to hold our online AGM! First thing's first, we need to vote in our new VP Careers and Sports Director! Next, online voting. Can we amend an amendment to an amendement?
Ibrahim Taha
Ethnocultural Officer
Going back to the basics, SULS aims to represent students in difference spaces.
The Women in Law conference was a huge success!
15 new intervarsity competitions were debuted this year!
Sarah Tang
Competitions Director
Many apologies to our IV Coordinators!
Deaundre Espejo
VP Social Justice
The CLEP aims to help young people in the community build their knowledge about legal rights and responsibilities. Volunteers will be involved in writing educational content and running weekly sessions at Glebe Youth Service. We are looking for people who are passionate about social justice, improving outcomes for young Aboriginal people, and community-based work.
The legal community has been shaken by the revelation of abuses at the highest level by former High Court Justice Dyson Heydon. View SULS's statement here.
Max Vishney
Equity Officer
Natalie Leung
VP Education
The Staff Student Consultative Forum was changed to be open to all students this year so we can all unleash our roasts (constructively of course)
Natalie Leung
VP Education
A town hall was trialled this year to great success! All the data shared was compiled into a report for Faculty to take into consideration when deciding on any changes to summer and winter school for the years to come
Natalie Leung
VP Education
Not everything is about the ratio! Law intersects with so many underlying disciplines, and hence the Obiter Series where we saw a collaboration with Forensic Psychology to see the realities of False Witness Testimonies and their impact on trials!
Law in SocietyEvery year, SULS publishes a number of publications concerned with topical issues affecting law students and the wider community. Law in Society is an annual journal on current issues affecting the Australian legal landscape and the broader community.
DissentDissent is the Sydney University Law Society’s annual social justice journal, and provides an important opportunity for students to have their work published on a range of social justice issues related to both domestic and international law. It also encourages students to undertake research into controversial or little-known areas that may go well beyond the scope of their ordinary coursework.
SULS continues to run various initiatives to engage students in an online environment.
SULS COVID-19 Student Experiences SurveyThe SULS COVID-19 Student Experiences Survey was administered in Semester 1, 2020 to gather information on students' experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. It measured experiences in three areas: economic experiences, academic experiences and mental wellbeing experiences. It was presented to the law faculty on 2 July 2020 at the Student Staff Consultative Forum.
October
SULS continues to take a stronger stance on advocacy! The legislation on university fee increases, staff and course cuts, removal of HECS support and over-policing on campus led SULS a statement on our various channels. View the statement here.
Advocacy for disability is thrust in the spotlight with commentary from panelist at law firms, the university, and the AHRC.
Max Vishney
Equity Officer
Patrick Lucarnus
First Nations Officer
The tour was organised by Sydney Law School and led by Donna Ingram, a proud Wiradjuri woman, who is the Cultural Representative for the local Aboriginal community in Sydney. The tour involved a light walk along flat surfaces, and focuses on the social and political history of Redfern which has been the epicentre of Aboriginal activism and connection to identity.
We were joined by an esteemed panel of LGBTQIA+ lawyers and policy advocates to discuss the future of queer rights, asking ourselves what we can all do as future legal practitioners to strengthen the protections available for LGBTQIA+ people in the law?
Eden McSheffrey
Queer Officer
Rosie Sok
Socials Director
Final Year Dinner sells out in record time! Thankfully we can organise an in person event for our graduates.
Yemaya JournalYemaya is the annual interdisciplinary Journal of Gender and Sexuality published by the Sydney University Law Society. Yemaya is a unique publication on campus, publishing both academic and creative works addressing a wide range of issues to do with gender and sexuality. Although published by SULS, we seek contributions from any student at the University of Sydney.
Natalie Leung
VP Education
SULS is proud to collaborate with the Counselling and Psychological Services of USYD to deliver the first Soft Skill Workshops in our series.
November
Amer Nasr
President
The 2020 Executive's tenure is starting to come to an end. Time to revisit our goals for the year and review all the achievements so far. It's crunch time, what else needs to be done?
MOSAIC JournalMOSAIC features articles, critical essays and artwork reflecting the insights of former and current law students, legal academics and legal practitioners on maintaining mental wellbeing as a person of colour navigating the legal system and legal profession.
SULS End-of-Year CelebrationSULS has been remodelled this year in many ways. It's time to come together an celebrate the achievements of the organisation and most importantly it's members! Thank you to all committee members who worked tirelessly with the Executive to support Sydney Law students in 2020.
SULS BylawsAfter what felt like an eternity, our Bylaws were ready to be published for the first time! We made some great developments in developing an Advocacy Policy, a Code of Conduct, a Handover Policy, a Privacy Policy, a Sustainability Policy, and more!
Exams are looming and it's time to draw upon the lessons from the Wellbeing Mutual Aid Group in action for the Wellbeing Week!
Dani Stephenson
Campus Director
Thank you to all SULS members for making it through 2020 with us!
It was an honour to be your Executive team for 2020 and we wish you nothing but the best going forward!
© SULS 2020. All rights reserved.