Deakin Law School proudly recognised the academic achievements of our students at the 2025 Academic Excellence Prize Ceremony (for the 2024 academic year).
The Deakin Law School Academic Excellence Prize Ceremony showcases the exceptional successes of students and celebrates the important contributions of family, friends, industry partners and University staff.
Our prize ceremony gave us the opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of students and graduates in the following categories for the 2024 academic year.
Supreme Court Prize
Winner: NATHAN NOTLEY
Awarded annually by the Supreme Court of Victoria to the top graduating student in the Bachelor of Laws.
Supreme Court Exhibition Prize
Winner: PHILLIPA STAFFORD
Awarded to the student with the top-ranked Honours thesis in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
Highest Ranked Graduating Student in the Juris Doctor
Winner: PATRICK MCMULLIN
Awarded to the Juris Doctor graduate with the highest average mark across all coursework.
Honours Thesis Awards
Honouring students who received a High Distinction for their Honours thesis:
- ROSS BATTIATO
- SHAUN ANDREWS
- PHILLIPA STAFFORD
- SREYA THOMAS
- AURELIE MCARTHUR
Deakin Law School Academic Achievement Prizes
Individual Unit Prizes
Constitutional Law
JED HULL
ADAM BRUCE MARSHALL
Sponsored by Arnold Bloch Leibler
Equity and Trusts
COBY JAMES LAMONT
LAUREN-LISA SZOSTAK
Sponsored by Arnold Bloch Leibler
Property
REBECCA KATE HUDSON
Sponsored by Arnold Bloch Leibler
Taxation
TIMOTHY LOUGHLIN
BENJAMIN PERTICH
Sponsored by Arnold Bloch Leibler
Administrative Law
MAGGIE BEVERLEY ROBINSON
Sponsored by Australian Institute of Administrative Law
Migration and Refugee Law and Policy
KATJA CHERYL JANSEN
Sponsored by Australian Migration Lawyers
Civil Procedure
JOSHUA MEYSZTOWICZ
Sponsored by Baker McKenzie
Contract A
SOPHIE EDITH OLIVE
Sponsored by Clayon Utz
Contract B
ALEXIA CHIARA LIPAROTI
ANTHONY PAULINE
Sponsored by Clayon Ute
Best in Family Law
HARSIMRAN KAUR SINGH
Sponsored by Coulter Legal
Intellectual Property
REBECCA LY
Sponsored by FAL Lawyers
Criminal Law
JAYDE ANITA MCINTOSH
Sponsored by Geelong Law Association
Land Law
CHLOE HANCOCK
Sponsored by Geelong Law Association
Misleading Conduct and Economic Torts
JAI AARON SZABO
Sponsored by Geelong Law Association
Commercial Law
DIMITTRI LIVADARAS
AMANDA SHAANA
Sponsored by Harwood Andrews
Legal Communication and Ethical Decision Making
AMELIA GRACE TAKACS
Sponsored by Law Institute of Victoria
Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation
LUCINDA GRACE ITALIANO
Sponsored by Leo Cussen
Health Law
LEE TOMHOLT
Sponsored by Margalit Injury Lawyers
Corporate Law
OLIVIA NICHOLLS
Sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright
Corporate Insolvency Law
CHARLES HY KHANH HUYNH
Sponsored by Pitcher Partners
Legal Practice and Ethics
CHARLIE MARINI
Sponsored by College of Law
Workplace Law
MICHAEL WILLIAM LEACH
Sponsored by Uni Super
Personal Injury Compensation Schemes
JOHN-PAUL RYAN COOPER
Sponsored by Worksafe
Animal Law
ADRIANA VERNADAKIS
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Competition Law and Policy
DANIEL DAVID GENIS
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Contemporary International Legal Challenges
RUBY DEE EVANS
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Criminal Procedure
PHOEBE-AMELIA ANN TOL
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Data Law, Privacy and Cybercrime
MITCHELL BRUCE
NOAH FOSTER
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Evidence
TESS VICTORIA BAUTSCH
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Mining and Energy Law
SAM FRANCIS CAVANOUGH
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Succession Law
JACQUILINE MARIE CHALLINOR ROGERS
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Torts
KEZIAH RANKCOM
Sponsored by Deakin Law School
Dean’s Merit Lists
Recognising the top 3% of Bachelor of Laws students and the top 3 Juris Doctor students for outstanding academic performance in 2024.
Bachelor of Laws
- NATHAN JOHN NOTLEY
- MELISSA LEITH ELLEN PERRIN-SMITH
- AURELIE MCARTHUR
- JACQUILINE MARIE CHALLINOR ROGERS
- PHILLIPA STAFFORD
- NOAH FOSTER
- NICOLE LOUISE MATTHEWS
- BRAD PATRICK EDWARDS
- SARAH JAYNE WILSON
- MITCHELL BRUCE
- HARRIET ALEXANDRA BENCIC
- DANIELA VOUGIOUCLIS
- ISABELLA CAVALIN
- SHARNA GRACE JENKINS
- TESS ELIZABETH GLADDING
- ROSS BATTIATO
- SHAUN ANDREWS
- SREYA THOMAS
Juris Doctor
- PATRICK MCMULLIN
- KARLI-BELLE BEBBINGTON
- AMBER MARIE ROSE MACDONALD
Meet Our Winners
Nathan Notley – Supreme Court Prize & Occasional Speaker
Nathan explored law through his international music production career and has since earned accolades like the New Colombo Plan Scholarship. His journey includes internships across Asia and top-tier clerkships in Australia.
Phillipa Stafford – Supreme Court Exhibition Prize
From artist to lawyer, Phillipa embraced law’s intellectual challenge. Her online studies while raising a family were enriched by a strong community and faculty support. She aims to blend law, research and the arts.
Patrick McMullin – Highest Ranked Juris Doctor Graduate
Patrick transitioned from music to law with remarkable success. Now at Hall & Wilcox, his legal practice reflects the precision and collaboration he honed during his performance career.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Deakin Law School thanks our generous industry partners and sponsors whose support empowers the next generation of legal professionals.
Stay Connected
Join the Deakin alumni community for professional growth and networking.
- Email: deakinalumni@deakin.edu.au
- Phone: (03) 5227 1019
- Law Newsroom