As part of Law Careers Week at King’s College, we were proud to host the 2025 KOCA Cooper Foote Law Society Night—an inspiring and insightful evening that brought together students, alumni, and leading legal professionals to explore the many facets of a career in law.

Students had the rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a panel of accomplished legal professionals, gaining invaluable insights into career progression, industry challenges, and the exciting and diverse nature of the legal profession.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our distinguished panellists:
– The Honourable Justice Sean Cooper (Judge, Supreme Court of Queensland)
– Mel Storey (Senior In-House Lawyer and host of the Counsel podcast)
– Adam Moschella (Senior Associate at Bell Lawyers & Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law)
– Chris Erfurt (Special Counsel at Clayton Utz and Old Collegian)

We’re also grateful to our engaging MC, Andrew O’Brien (Barrister), and to the many industry guests and old collegians who helped make the night a memorable success.

Andrew opened the panel discussion with a reflective question: “What do you wish you knew about your career when you were a student?”
Mel noted that she wished she had known more about in-house legal roles, an often-overlooked career path with tremendous opportunity and variety. Several panellists echoed the importance of understanding application timelines for law firms early on, as they can be overwhelming if left too late.

Adam spoke about the value of part-time work during university—not necessarily in legal roles, but in jobs that build transferable skills. He reflected on his own experience working in a bar, where he developed the interpersonal and communication skills that have proven essential in his legal career.

When discussing graduate recruitment, the panel emphasised the importance of standing out beyond academics. Involvement in extracurriculars such as mooting, debating, or part-time work can demonstrate initiative and capability. They also encouraged students to be authentic in their applications and to highlight why they’d be a good fit for the team. One clear piece of advice: be mindful of your digital footprint—employers do check social media.

A particularly powerful moment came when Justice Cooper shared insights from his late father, the Honourable Justice Richard E. Cooper, a former King’s resident (1965–1968) after whom the event is named. When asked what lessons his father passed on, Justice Cooper emphasised integrity, reminding students that while a professional reputation takes years to build, it can be lost in a moment.

The panel also offered reassurance that clerkships, while valuable, are not the only path to a successful legal career. They reminded students that their careers are marathons, not sprints—and to stay focused on personal growth, wellbeing, and long-term goals, and to avoid the tempation of comparing themselves to others.

For those curious about in-house legal work or seeking guidance from seasoned professionals, we highly recommend checking out Mel's podcast Counsel: A Podcast for In-House Lawyers (and those who want to be one). Each episode features candid conversations with industry professionals and offers valuable perspectives on navigating a legal career.

👷‍♀️ Next Up: Engineering & IT Careers Week
We’re already looking ahead to our next major careers event! Engineering and IT Careers Week kicks off soon, with the annual Watson Miles Society Night taking place on Monday, 25 August. Have a panellist suggestion? We’d love to hear from you—submit your ideas here.

Meet the 2025 Cooper Foote Panel

🔹 The Honourable Justice Sean Cooper
Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Trial Division, and UQ graduate, is the son of the late Honourable Justice Richard E. Cooper, in whose memnory the event is named. 

🔹 Mel Storey
Senior in-house lawyer and host of Counsel. Awarded QLS In-House Lawyer of the Year, Lawyers Weekly Corporate Counsel 30 Under 30, and Modern Counsel’s Global Legal Leaders Award.

🔹 Adam Moschella
Senior Associate at Bell Lawyers and Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law. Recognised for his work in criminal defence, parole, and legal policy reform.

🔹 Chris Erfurt
Special Counsel at Clayton Utz and King’s Old Collegian. Specialises in complex litigation, white-collar crime, insurance, and dispute resolution.

Further information

Clerkship and graduate recruitment timelines can be viewed here.