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A decade of ACU law

Engineering’s loss became law’s gain when a teenaged James Penny learned he had a fervor for debate that would drive him all the way to the Victorian Bar.

Australian Catholic University’s first graduate to be called to the Bar, James is one of countless success stories for the Thomas More Law School as it celebrates its 10^th anniversary.

Fighting over issues that matter and representing people in need are the pillars of TMLS that was founded in Melbourne and has grown to the North Sydney, Blacktown and Brisbane campuses.

James was part of the first intake. Engineering appealed when he was nearing completion of his secondary studies at The Knox School.

An encouraging legal studies teacher and his own curiosity steered him instead towards a legal career. And once at ACU James was intoxicated by its smaller classes, the teaching and tales of courtroom antics from Justice The Hon. Paul Coghlan AO, Graham Thomas KC and others.

“The ability to articulate an argument on behalf of someone is something that got to me,” James said.

“Some of the original staff were all senior members of the Bar, a lot of them told great war stories and I became sold on the idea of advocacy.”

ACU law commenced as a boutique law school and soon differentiated itself with a strong focus on social justice, firmly in line with the university’s commitment to human dignity.

In addition to the single and double Law degrees, TMLS course offerings now include Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice , Bachelor of Human Rights, Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice and Masters in Australian Migration Law and Practice.

Its vibrant pro bono activities, including two units or 160 hours of pro bono service, are what sets the course apart from its peers.

“TMLS is more than a law school; it's a catalyst for positive change,” interim Dean Associate Professor Kunle Ola said.

“We train the next generation of lawyers to be ethical, practical, and globally minded. Our flagship pro bono program is a testament to our commitment to social justice, empowering our students to make a real-world impact.”

The obligation to pro bono service has been readily adopted by ACU’s graduates.

After completing a Bachelor of Laws in 2017 at ACU where he was a moot champion, James added postgraduate qualifications.

He has worked as a solicitor, and policy officer in local government prior to being called to the Victorian Bar. Since being called to the Bar, James also sits as a tribunal member for the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

Recently James has appeared in several significant pro-bono cases including:

Kenyers v the King [2023] VSCA 25 and ZHRS v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2023] AATA 2918.

James’s arguments were successful.

“There are real humans involved and real lives at play,” he said of pro bono work. “So it’s a privilege to persuade (the court) and to assist people with their problems.”