Golden Gavel:
Voting closed

The winners of both awards will be announced on Monday 22 June.

Read more about our brave competitors below.

Adam Muddle

Topic: Cruising into 2021, my dream post covid-holiday

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Adam Muddle is a recent graduate of Macquarie University, where he draws on fond memories performing in the Law Revue and participating in Championship Mooting. He currently works as a paralegal at the Crown Solicitors Office, which has given him first-hand insight into the adaptability of legal services delivered remotely. Muddle intends to practise in criminal or government law after completing his practical legal training. He enjoys gardening, exercise and watching football replays, separately and all at once – who says men can’t multitask?

Emma Rowles

Topic: CovidSafe App vs law firm partner – who’s got more data about you?

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Emma Rowles is a principal lawyer at Winter Legal. She completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of New England in 2011. In 2012, Rowles was admitted as a solicitor and later worked as a tipstaff to the Honourable Justices Davies and Garling at the NSW Supreme Court. Point being, she knows what judges look for. In addition to writing jokes for the Golden Gavel, she is currently studying a Master of Laws and is a fellow of the Tax Institute and National Tax and Accountants’ Association.

Jahan Kalantar

Topic: Three things I learned about my colleagues’ private lives whilst in so many meetings

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Jahan Kalantar is a partner at Executive Legal specialising in the areas of human rights, mental health, criminal and commercial law. He frequently appears on behalf of people kept in mental health facilities involuntarily, refugees seeking asylum and individuals accused of heinous crimes. Kalantar attributes his passion for human rights to his proud Persian heritage, a dislike for bullies and a genuine belief that one person can make a difference. Kalantar also lectures at the Sydney City School of Law and as you may have guessed from his picture, has spoken at TEDx Sydney.

Kristyn Glanville

Topic: To pants or not to pants in that important meeting – confronting the new norms of working life

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Kristyn Glanville is a Senior Associate at Clyde & Co specialising in the areas of environment, planning and climate change law. Despite having won numerous awards, she considers her biggest achievement to be the cease and desist letter she received from the publishers of Twilight. Glanville has welcomed reforms to the legal profession due to COVID-19, particularly the ability to mute oneself or others during meetings, not having to physically front up at Court in the morning and the of course the new work attire (pyjamas).  

Nicholas Andrews

Topic: Stir fry or stir crazy – cooking adventures at home vs eating at the firm

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Nicholas Andrews works at King & Wood Mallesons as a litigation solicitor in the area of financial services and investigations. His LinkedIn profile reveals that in addition to legal jargon, Andrews is also well-versed French. He is currently very close to completing an LLM at the University of NSW. Outside of law, Andrews enjoys music, in particular Robyn’s song “dancing on my own” which may be indicative of his time in isolation.

Olivia Irvine

Topic: Covid health order – the best ways to measure up 1.5m are these

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Olivia Irvine currently volunteers for the Redfern Legal Centre, working in the area of police accountability and health justice partnership practices. She is a law graduate from the University of Sydney (also known as “the best uni”). Irvine has a broad range of interests including intellectual property, administrative law, government, and international law. Irvine is eagerly waiting for ceremonies to resume to be admitted and dust off some of her old dresses.  She is the Submissions Officer for the NSW Young Lawyers Communications, Entertainment and Technology Committee.

Sophia Urlich

Topic: M-m-m-m-my corona – tips to going back to the office and living to tell the tale

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Sophia Urlich is a lawyer at Lindsay Taylor Lawyers in the areas of planning, environment, and government law. She is the Social Officer for the NSW Young Lawyers Communications, Entertainment and Technology Committee. Outside of practising law, Ulrich is a songstress, meme curator and uses the acronym ‘lol’ in everyday life. She enjoys policing other people’s typos, engaging in the process of discovery and cake days at the office.