Archibald Horneman-Wren (LLB (Hons) ‘25) is graduating this year. Coming from a family of ANU Law School alumni, Archie started his law degree with a strong sense of civic duty and leaves ANU as a more engaged citizen.  

Here is Archie’s law school journey in his own words: 

Q: Why did you choose to study law at ANU?  

A: When I was 16, I saw my sister graduate from ANU Law School on the same day Marcia Langton was conferred an Honorary Doctorate. It was the middle of the Black Summer bushfires. While her Country was burning, Marcia gave the most moving speech about the responsibility of those Law graduates to use their education in service of us all. She received the quickest standing ovation I had ever seen. It was at that moment I decided I was coming here: if that was the spirit of ANU, then that’s where I wanted to be. Plus, I wanted to move out of home in Ipswich, Queensland, to get a truly transformative college experience. Tick and tick for both boxes.  

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

A: Well, there are simply too many to choose from, but the most transformative experience was participating in the course LAWS4307 Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country. Taught by Judge and Associate Professor Anthony Hopkins and Elders from Mparntwe, Luritja and Anangu Country, this course helped me understand more about myself (and the law) than any other experience in my five years at ANU. Whereas much of Law school is about consuming knowledge, testing it, and then getting a mark on your transcript, this course was about personal challenge. I will never forget the raw emotion of sitting with my peers, comprehending the harm the law can do, as well as the resilience of Aboriginal peoples. I will forever be grateful for that experience. 

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

A: Working with Associate Professor Joshua Neoh on my Undergraduate Law Dissertation was a real pleasure. I put together foundational concepts from both my Arts and Law degrees (I think I even used some readings from the first or second year!) to produce an original paper I was truly proud of. The feedback from the examiner was so moving that I almost cried. It’s given me intellectual confidence I hope to pursue at a postgraduate level, perhaps even a career in academia.  

Otherwise, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was pretty good too! I made many good friends in the ANU Law Revue (the ANU law students’ annual sketch comedy show) when I started my degree. Fortunately, a bunch of them had entered a separate show at the Edinburgh Fringe when I was completing my Exchange semester there — next thing you know, I was in it!  

Q: What are your plans after graduation?  

A: To the confusion of many but the surprise of none, I’m staying at ANU to complete an Honours year in History. It turns out double degrees are even better than I imagined. After that, I hope to take up a Judge’s Associateship. 

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

A: You don’t need to know what you want to do in life, nor should you worry if you’re good enough, before you choose to study Law. It wasn’t until about the third year I felt truly comfortable in a Law classroom, and not until the fifth year I was happy with how I’d done. In both respects, I should have given myself a lot more slack. Looking back, I realise just how good this degree has been for me; how much I’ve changed; how much better a person I am; and how much better a citizen I will be. So, take it from the kid who moved from Ipswich to Canberra, not knowing anyone who was doing the same: ANU is amazing, and Law is about the best degree you could hope to study. 

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

A: Very. Good. Decision.  

Congratulations, Archie. We are very proud to call you an ANU Law School alumnus.