About me

My journey to being offered a place at the University of Texas began with an extensive six month application process, and included a personal interview at the Austin Campus. Throughout this process I promoted  New Zealand’s commitment to renewable energy solutions and adduced our nation’s position as a world leader in hydroelectric, geothermal and wind energies. I also asserted the challenges  New Zealand faces in terms of environmental and political issues associated with these forms of energy  while continuing the necessary exploitation of more difficult to process fossil fuels.  I stressed that I wanted to learn as much as I could from world-renowned leaders in their respective fields.  The University of Texas was the best place for me  to accomplish this goal, particularly in terms of policy development, allowing me to implement what I had learned back in New Zealand. 

At the close of this process, I was awarded The International Student Program Scholarship Award amounting to $15,000USD.

 

However as tuition for this kind of program at a top US law school comes at a price I am still $32,000 off the mark.  

 

As a child growing up in a rural New Zealand community, I was always aware of the relationship between people and the natural environment. Seeing numerous infrastructure and utility projects being developed in my region in order to support the country’s larger cities, I quickly learned that economic gain and support of the Western lifestyle is often synonymous with environmental exploitation. This realization has developed into a personal desire to explore avenues and develop policies that will allow for countries to pursue economic growth, but through sustainable means.

 

Not once during my childhood did I consider that one day I would be a lawyer. The rural community I grew up in did not lend itself to meeting lawyers nor did anyone in my family practice law. My life changed when I was attended boarding school in the city of Hamilton, New Zealand. I pursued a number of activities at school that I would not have had the opportunity to otherwise, and developed my love of science and the natural world. It was at school that I realized there are few professions where one person can, by themselves, make a difference. And law is one of these difference making professions.

 

Following graduation from law school and admission to the High Court of New Zealand, I decided not to return to the large, top-tier commercial firm where I had been previously employed. Instead I joined a specialist boutique litigation firm where I worked in general litigation, and came to specialize in Construction Litigation.  It was working within this role that I knew advocacy was my niche. Within two years I was reporting directly to the litigation partner and was acting as sole council in defended short trials and various interlocutory matters in the High Court and in District Courts.

 

In two years of practice, I produced some excellent results, including two reported decisions: Public Trust v Flowers [2011] BCL 259, and Body Corporate No 377446 v Kumar & Anor [2010] DCR 553. I was sole counsel for 42 different Bodies Corporate and had an effective working relationship with my client company, with whom I dealt with on a daily basis with little supervision.

 

However, my motivation for studying law goes well beyond any ideals relating to personal gain or status that can be derived from the profession. For this reason, I have decided to use my education and advocacy skills for the pressing global issues that I have long been interested in. I am fascinated by all aspects of global energy. I am particularly interested in renewable energy alternatives and the realities the concept in contemporary society. Although New Zealand is a world leader in hydro, geothermal and wind energy, there are still many political and environmental issues associated with these forms of renewable energy.

 

An LLM in Global Energy, International Arbitration and Environmental Law from the University of Texas School of Law is perfectly tailored to my career aspirations to practice in the resolution of international energy disputes. Once I have gained a significant amount of experience and knowledge in this area, I hope to move into developing renewable energy policy in the United States and Asia. Eventually, I intend to return to New Zealand. Like the rest of the world, New Zealand is in a rush to exploit dirtier and more difficult to process fossil fuels. Currently, deep water drilling is anticipated off the east coast and fracking is likely to commence in Canterbury. A large energy company has also started to exploit lignite reserves in Southland and Otago with goals of building a coal to liquids plant. There is also ongoing contention between energy companies, environmental groups and even government agencies over the construction of new dams and wind farms.
 

 I intend to use the skills and knowledge I have gained through the LLM program and working internationally for a number of years, to advocate for the New Zealand government in international energy disputes and also to become instrumental in a movement towards a long-term sustainable energy policy. An LLM from the University of Texas will enable me to achieve these aspirations. Texas is a center for global energy transactions and petroleum drilling techniques that are changing the way oil and gas is extracted. Deep water drilling and the opening up of shale through hydraulic fracturing are to have a profound effect on the world’s energy supply and potentially the environment. Moreover, The University of Texas has the historical experience and reputation for being at the cutting edge of oil and gas law. Studying at UT will allow me to learn the latest developments and contemporary issues in the industry, which would be an invaluable addition to my current skill set as I will be learning from some of the most experienced and highly regarded professors and practitioners in the industry.
 

I intend to use the skills I have gained through the LLM program and working internationally for a number of years, to advocate for the New Zealand government in international energy disputes and also to become instrumental in a movement towards a long-term sustainable energy policy. An LLM from the University of Texas will enable me to achieve these aspirations. Texas is a center for global energy transactions and petroleum drilling techniques that are changing the way oil and gas is extracted. Deep water drilling and the opening up of shale through hydraulic fracturing are to have a profound effect on the world’s energy supply and potentially the environment. Moreover, The University of Texas has the historical experience and reputation for being at the cutting edge of oil and gas law. Studying at UT will allow me to learn the latest developments and contemporary issues in the industry, which would be an invaluable addition to my current skill set as I will be learning from some of the most experienced and highly regarded professors and practitioners in the industry.