Drawn by academic distinction and the ANU ethos, Emma Ashley chose ANU Law School for her Bachelor of Laws (Honours). She’s now graduating with an LLB (Hons) ‘25 and says ANU Law School has shaped her career interests in intellectual property (IP) law.   

Here is Emma’s law school journey in her own words:  

Why did you choose to study law at ANU?  

I had always known that I wanted to study law; the question was where. ANU stood out for academic reasons, including the calibre of its scholars, students, and electives, as well as its strong reputation. However, what truly distinguished ANU for me was its ethos. Choosing ANU would mean leaving home, living on campus, and immersing myself in a community of students from across Australia and the world. I saw that as an exciting opportunity because it would allow me to equally prioritise my academic and personal development. That balance between an exceptional education and the freedom to develop beyond the classroom was ultimately why I chose to study law at ANU.  

What has been the highlight of your ANU Law School experience? 

One of the many highlights of my ANU Law School experience was the opportunity to engage with academic communities across the world. ANU offers extraordinary overseas programs, and I learnt the value of putting my hand up, as I was privileged to be chosen for opportunities in Singapore, the UK, and Japan. These experiences allowed me to be fully immersed in diverse academic and cultural environments, not only deepening my understanding of the law but also providing some of the most memorable and formative experiences of my time at law school.   

Were there any subjects, projects, or experiences that shaped your ANU Law experience or career aspirations?  

ANU sparked my interest in Intellectual Property (IP) law and nurtured my ambition to pursue it as a career. My first exposure to IP law came through an intensive summer course, which I found both challenging and fascinating. That experience led me to represent ANU at the Oxford International IP Moot, where I further developed my passion and had the privilege of engaging with leading academics and practitioners whose work resonated with my own aspirations. I was subsequently afforded the opportunity to complete a thesis on trade mark law. That endeavour would not have been possible without the exceptional support of Dr Ruoying Chen, who worked tirelessly alongside me to ensure the ​​​​​​project reached its full potential. I will always be grateful that, once I identified the direction I wanted to take my career, ANU provided not only the opportunity to pursue it but the space to explore it so deeply. 

What are your plans after graduation?  

I am excited to be starting as a graduate at Allens in their Intellectual Property team in Sydney.  

What advice would you give to someone considering studying law at ANU?  

My advice would be simple: do it and give it your all. The ANU ethos truly exceeded my expectations, and I can confidently say that ANU is a great place for anyone looking to be fully immersed in their university experience. Once you get here, buy into the community, apply for opportunities even if you doubt yourself, and engage fully both inside and outside the classroom. If you give yourself wholeheartedly to the experience, what you gain in return will be far greater than what you expect. 

If you could sum up your ANU Law experience in three words, what would they be?

 ​​​​Immersive, formative, rewarding.   

Congratulations, Emma. We wish you all the best as you begin your career in IP law.