Michael Jefferies | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Michael Jefferies

Final-year Laws/Commerce student Michael Jefferies has managed to fit a lot into his degree – including being named Australia’s Law Student of the Year for 2018.

Michael, 23, was chosen from 10 finalists from across the country for the student category of the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards held in Sydney in August.

The Law Student of the Year winner is determined on academic results, extracurricular involvement and leadership in the community, as well as a passion for law and justice.

“This is especially exciting considering there are more than 7,500 law students graduating every year across Australia, and a much higher number currently studying,” Michael said.

“Getting my name in front of the entire legal profession across Australia in this manner is undoubtedly a great prelude to commencing my legal career next year.

“USC staff have been incredibly supportive and encouraging, which has played a large part in helping me create and pursue new opportunities and achieve my goals.”

In 2014, Michael established USC's Law Students’ Association and was the inaugural secretary until 2016. In this role, he helped the association develop a thriving competition, academic, social and cultural portfolio.

The award follows a busy few months for Michael, who recently represented USC at the University Scholars Leadership Symposium at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. He was unable to attend the presentation event because he is completing the final subjects of his degree at the National University of Singapore. In early 2019 he will take up a graduate position with the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ legal team in Sydney, focusing on corporate advisory and transactions work.

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