How do you study law?
The Later Law Students Network (LLSN) represents the interests of non-traditional Juris Doctor and Melbourne Law Masters students. In particular, our student advocacy is undertaken on behalf of mature age students, working professionals, self-sufficient students, and parents or carers. We welcome all later law students at other universities in Melbourne to attend our events!
Advocacy & Wellbeing
The LLSN acknowledges and celebrates diversity among students at MLS. Our aim is to be a voice for students toward an equitable and inclusive university environment.
The LLSN's advocacy and wellbeing work include representing later law students on panels and committees, conducting research into the issues that affect our members, writing submissions and position statements on university policies affecting later law students, and working collaboratively with MLS faculty and other student groups.
Careers & Networking
We host a number of events throughout the year that intend to utilize and build on the life experience of our members. These events include networking evenings and career-focused events.
Social
We run several social gatherings each year with a view to fostering collaborative and supportive relationships between the students of MLS.
about llsn
SAMANTHA MARKS
President
Samantha had sworn that she would never go back to uni. One small mountain of postgraduate debt was plenty to remind her that she had gladly exchanged youthful, humanitarian dreams for a hodgepodge career in IT. She was living the semi-hipster Melbourne dream, in an open plan office with a median age of 33, a ping pong table and a beer fridge. She knew there was more to life than this.
After two years of study and reflection, Samantha hopes to pursue a career in criminal defence. For now she expects to continue to have perfect moments of inspiration smashed against the walls of harsh reality and human limitation, because that’s what post-adolescence is supposed to feel like. She hopes to encourage her bright, high-achieving peers to take full advantage of the support and resources available and to try and enjoy the ride with her.
CARLOS COHEN-LEON
Secretary
During his nearly ten-year professional career, Carlos has worked in both the public, and private sector, collaborating with the Mexican Federal Government, and Legislative Branch in the former, and several law firms in the latter.
Since his arrival to Melbourne in early 2018, Carlos has been a Corporate and Commercial Paralegal for law firms such as Neville & Co., and Minter Ellison, and has carried out responsibilities as a project consultant for ContractProbe.
On December 29, 2018, Carlos became married to his fiancé Ericka Flores in a Civil ceremony celebrated in Fontana, CA with close friends, and family.
In 2018, Carlos was the LLSN First Year Representative, and is looking forward to continuing his service as Secretary for the 2019 academic year. Carlos finds his motivation to serve from helping others in a similar situation, and understands that students of a more advanced age might not necessarily identify with the platforms, or goals of the Melbourne University Law School Student Society, and wants to provide a space for mature students to discuss and resolve their concerns.
SVERRE GUNNERSEN
Treasurer
Sverre completed his PhD in 2014, is the co-founder of two successful startups, and has worked as a contractor for the Procurement Division of the then Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. He took on the role of Treasurer for the Later Law School Network for the year starting 2018 based on his experience in accounting and finance, with the goal of assisting the LLSN in providing services to the minority of JD students that enter the degree as mature age, parents or carers.
