Our Year 12 Law and Sociology students, plus some of our more able Year 10 students were treated to an inspiring guest lecture from distinguished legal professional Laura Atherton.

Laura took students on a fascinating journey through her incredibly diverse career. After studying Law at the University of Cambridge, she began her professional life as a criminal barrister. She then worked as a solicitor for a major American law firm, before moving “in-house” to manage legal operations for global pharmaceutical giant GSK. Most recently she served as the General Counsel (the chief lawyer) for Intertek, a multi-national assurance and testing company.

Laura’s career has literally taken her around the globe, living and working in international hubs like Hong Kong, Dubai, the Netherlands, and Singapore. Laura provided an honest, invaluable look at the pros and cons of different legal paths, comparing the high-stakes drama of the courtroom with the strategic, global impact of corporate boardrooms.

Our students also got a taste of the courtroom experience by taking part in a short advocacy exercise.

Tasked with determining the appropriate sentence for a young shoplifter, students took on the roles of prosecutors, defenders or magistrates. It was great to see students practise their public speaking, critical thinking, and negotiation skills. A huge thank you to Laura Atherton for giving up her time.