Bond University will today officially launch its new-look Career Development Centre (CDC), which will offer industry employers a full suite of professional recruitment services.

CAREER HEADSTART FOR JILLIAN

Another Bond Law student has secured a prestigious Associateship position with a Justice of the New South Wales Supreme Court for 2007.

Current Law and International Relations student Jillian Francis was recently appointed to one of the most competitive and highly sought-after positions in the Australian legal system, to serve as Tipstaff (as the position is traditionally known as in the jurisdiction of NSW) to the Honourable Justice R McDougall.

The position of Associate/Tipstaff enjoys an honourable and long-standing tradition, with many current Judges and well-known senior Barristers having once served as Associates or Tipstaves themselves.

Jillian was offered the position to work in Sydney for Justice McDougall earlier this year, after her successful completion of a cross-institution semester at the Australian National University in Canberra, as a parliamentary research intern selected in the Australian National Internships Program. Jillian was chosen to be part of the unique program alongside two of her closest friends and fellow Bond students Diwaka Prakash and Nadine Botzenhart.

Diwaka Prakash and Jillian, who have mooted together as former joint-winners of the Brian Orr Mooting Competition, debated at the Riverfest State Competition and were selected to go to Canberra together.

During her brief time in Canberra, Jillian divided her time between preparing foreign affairs research reports and working at Deacons, one of the nation’s top-tier law firms, on a weekly clerkship basis. The practical experience exposed her to all areas of legal practice and she was fortunate enough to accompany one of the partners to Court to assist in a high-profile criminal case.

Jillian’s dedication towards her professional development, as well as her aggressive ambition to succeed, are testified by a broad range of leadership and academic activities, internships and legal work experience placements that she has secured since her commencement at Bond in 2003.

"I have had so many rewarding experiences," Jillian said.

"Among the most rewarding was the time I spent working in Sydney during a semester break preparing research submissions and a speech for the former Federal Human Rights Commissioner, Dr. Sev Ozdowski and President Justice von Doussa (a former judicial member of the Federal Court bench)," she said.

"Other highlights would have to be being selected to represent the Law Faculty on its first international law internship to a busy corporate practice in Mumbai, India, upon the invitation of a Bond Law Alumni; and, among others, commencing and bringing a significant trade practices investigation to finality at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which led to a legal victory that ACCC National Chairman Graeme Samuel applauded publicly."

"I hope to be admitted mid-next year and, following my one-year Associateship, I intend to join the Bar and apply for a tutor and a spot on the floor of a Senior or Queen’s Counsel, in order to build up my advocacy experience and solicitor briefs as a junior barrister.

"In my mind, becoming one of the youngest barristers to take silk would be a very exciting feat, especially in lifting the game of women in the law and on the bench.

"Getting a head start at Bond was one of my and my family’s best decisions, as I have positions within my grasp much earlier than most other double-degree students. For me, I can anticipate to be earning more and rise up the professional ranks much more quickly," Jillian said.

At the age of 21, Jillian’s past achievements and most recent selection for a Judge’s Associate position upon graduation is not only an outstanding outcome for Jillian, but also for Bond, in raising the profile of the University as an institution which attracts the best students and lecturers and helps bring ambitions to life.