University
Victoria University of Wellington Faculty of Law Welcome
VUWLSS Welcome
I would like to extend a welcome to all competitors, NZLSA Council members and delegates at the NZLSA Conference 2009 on behalf of the Victoria University of Wellington Law Students’ Society (VUWLSS) and Victoria’s Law School. From the pumping waterfront just a 5 minute walk from the accommodation, to the huge number of bars and cafes scattered throughout the city and the buskers and street performers that give Cuba Street its peculiar vibe, Wellington is a fantastic host city that promises to make this Conference one to remember. I hope all visitors take the time to “have a love affair with Wellington” and get around and see the sights.
Conference offers a great opportunity for law students to put their legal skills to the test against the best from the other universities. As competitors will know, all the teams are of an incredibly high calibre this year. This was proven at the recent ALSA Conference. NZLSA Conference 2009 promises to be even more competitive, even more fun and even more outrageous. The incredible expertise and prestige of the Judging bench reflects the generosity and strong support that the Wellington Legal Community provides to Law Students. We thank all of the judges who will give up their time to come and give advice, encouragement or constructive criticisms to those students competing.
To all competitors, get amongst it. Conference is not just about proving the superiority of your Law School, it is also an awesome time. Make sure you come along to all the social events organised by your wonderful Conference Team as they are the best way to get to mingle with other unis and get into the spirit of Conference!
Thanks must be given to our main sponsors who gave generously to Conference this year despite the financial crisis. In particular, Simpson Grierson. Thanks also to Kensington Swan and Russell McVeagh for sponsoring the Break Night and Final Night respectively. Conference would be much more expensive for delegates without the continuing sponsorship from the sponsors for each of the competitions. Further thanks to Bell Gully (mooting), Russell McVeagh (client interviewing), Minter Ellison Rudd Watts (witness examination), and Buddle Findlay (negotiation), in their support of the national competitions. These firms provide crucial support for competitions that allow our students to hone skills important in legal practice, and, further, showcase these skills at a national and even international level.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Conference Convenor Anna Reid, who has put an incredible amount of work into making this Conference happen. Thanks also to people who have helped her out, including Desley and Aimee on the NZLSA Council, Jamie, Ollie, Charlotte and members of the VUWLSS Exec. Thanks as well to all volunteers for competitions: time-keepers, witnesses and clients. Thank you to VUWSA and the Student Union for helping us out with venue hire and to Victoria’s Law School for chipping in for what promises to be a very classy opening night dinner.
Have a great time at Conference and I will see you there!
Amelia Keene
President, VUWLSS.