Did you know?
Launched in February 2015, Swinburne Law School is the newest, most dynamic and forward-thinking law school in Australia. We are rated fourth in the country and in the top 150 law schools worldwide (Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022).
We deliver future-focused education, with an emphasis on innovation, practical skills and social responsibility - equipping our students with the industry capabilities of tomorrow. We produce world-class research, with a commitment to developing strong connections with industry, government and the community.
Our degree, our difference
We’re the only law school in Victoria where graduates can apply to practise the day they graduate. Our partnership with the Leo Cussen Centre for Law means that students can complete their Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, and gain extensive practical experience, all while studying their Bachelor of Laws. Plus, we offer our students three professional placements. It’s all part of our commitment to ensuring our students are well equipped to handle whatever tomorrow throws at them.
Our Criminal Justice and Criminology degree teaches students about the causes of crime (criminology) and how society responds to crime (criminal justice), and provides students with an industry engaged learning experience.
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Our law courses and degrees
Be prepared for the rigorous and intellectually challenging legal profession by studying law at Swinburne. Our teachers are experts in commercial law, intellectual property, internet law and privacy law.
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Swinburne Law School Research
Swinburne Law School aims to transform the legal industry and shape lives and communities through research based on innovation, invention and creativity.
Our people
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Associate Professor Natania Locke
Dean and Department Chair, Swinburne Law School -
Dr Mitchell Adams
Deputy Chair, Swinburne Law School
| Name | Position | Contact | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Mitchell Adams | Deputy Department Chair Senior Lecturer, Law |
AGSE316 | |
| Samaya Arguello Gomez |
Lecturer, Law |
AGSE320 | |
| Professor Mirko Bagaric | Professor Law, Course Director, Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology | AGSE318 | |
| Helen Bird | Industry Fellow | AGSE315 | |
| Dr Rachael Burgin | Senior Lecturer, Law |
AGSE328 | |
| Naomi Burstyner | Lecturer, Law | nburstyner@swinburne.edu.au | |
| Dr Peng Guo | Lecturer Law, Course Director, Bachelor of Laws | AGSE325 | |
| Dr Genevieve Lennon | Senior Lecturer, Law | glennon@swinburne.edu.au | AGES327 |
| Associate Professor Natania Locke |
Dean and Department Chair Associate Professor, Law |
AGSE321 | |
| Dr Jacqueline Meredith | Lecturer, Law | AGSE324 | |
| Professor Amanda Scardamaglia | Professor, Law | AGSE323 | |
| Lecturer, Law | jtomassetti@swinburne.edu.au | AGSE324 | |
| Dr Alex Wan | Lecturer, Law | AGSE320 |
| Name | Position | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Burnside AO KC | Adjunct Professor, Law | jburnside@swinburne.edu.au |
| His Honour Peter Gray AM | Adjunct Professor, Law | prgray@swinburne.edu.au |
| Dr Paul Latimer | Adjunct Professor, Law | +61 3 9214 3806 platimer@swinburne.edu.au |
| Mr William Lye OAM KC RI | Adjunct Professor, Law | wlye@swinburne.edu.au |
| Antony Taubman | Adjunct Professor, Law | ataubman@swinburne.edu.au |
| His Honour Frank Vincent AO KC | Adjunct Professor, Law | fvincent@swinburne.edu.au |
Our strategy for research and teaching is informed by industry. The Law School has an Advisory Board and each degree or course has a Course Advisory Committee comprising of industry experts to inform curriculum development.
External Law Advisory Committee
External members
Julian Burnside AO QC
The Honourable Julian Burnside OA QC practises principally in commercial litigation, trade practices and administrative law. While maintaining a strong commercial practice, Julian has also developed a distinguished public law practice. His landmark cases include successfully appearing for the plaintiff in Trevorrow v. South Australia which was the first case in which a court recognised membership of the Stolen Generation as a basis for legal compensation.
In recent years Julian has become one of Australia's leading advocates in relation to Australia's treatment of asylum seekers and the protection of human rights. He is also an accomplished author. An early and ongoing user of technology in law, Julian is a founding member of the Victorian Society for Computers and Law.
Terry Healy
Since 2005 as Special Counsel to CSIRO, Terry Healy has managed CSIRO’s highly successful patent litigation and licensing initiative based on an invention relating to wifi made by CSIRO scientists in 1992–3. The litigation, centred mainly in the Eastern District of Texas in the United States, has led to licences and settlement agreements worth more than $450 million.
Before that, Terry was CSIRO’s General Counsel for about two decades, in which role he concentrated mainly on corporate governance and litigation. He is admitted to legal practice in Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and before the High Court of Australia; he is also a Registered Patent Attorney in Australia.
In his 40-plus-year career with CSIRO, Terry has b
Latest news
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- University
- Education
Swinburne celebrates 2025 School Teaching Excellence Awards winners
Swinburne has announced the 2025 recipients of its annual School Teaching Excellence Awards. This year, 27 educators have been awarded for their excellence in delivering innovative assessment design and teaching strategies, building industry-engaged curricula, and enhancing student engagement through unique and authentic learning experiences.
Tuesday 14 October 2025 -
- Student News
- Law
Students tour South Korea’s evolving legal landscape
Swinburne University of Technology’s law students recently undertook a two-week study tour to South Korea, focused on legal affairs, political systems and local customs. The group of 14 students, led by Dr Jacqueline Meredith, took part in an immersive educational experience designed to deepen their understanding of international legal systems.
Thursday 07 August 2025 -
- Law
Students develop tech solution for major Melbourne law firm
Swinburne Law students have created an innovative triage tool to streamline Australian Consumer Law assessments for major consumer products law firm, CIE Legal.
Monday 14 July 2025 -
- Law
Top Law Student Awarded Supreme Court Prize
Swinburne graduate, Zachary Plant, was presented with the Supreme Court Prize by Chief Justice Richard Niall and Federal Court Chief Justice Mortimer for academic excellence, as Swinburne’s top Law student for 2024.
Monday 14 July 2025 -
- Law
How Swinburne Law School helped one alum find his calling
By embracing all the real-world experiences that Swinburne Law School had to offer including internships and overseas opportunities, Josh is now thriving in a career he genuinely loves.
Tuesday 17 June 2025
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