Meet our 2023 Valedictorians

The Valedictorian Award recognises our best-performing students' academic excellence and exemplary community contributions. Meet Alexander Humphreys, Niki Nojoumian and Triston Qian, who have farewelled their cohorts with reassuring and motivational advice. 

Alexander was recognised on the Dean's List in 2021 for placing first in Contracts Law and represented UNSW at prestigious international mooting competitions, including the Vis Moot in Vienna and the Oxford International Intellectual Property Law Moot at the University of Oxford.

Throughout his academic journey, Alexander had many mentors, including Associate Professor Jessica Hudson, Professor Andrew Lynch and Senior Lecturer Chris Pearce, who played pivotal roles in his development.

"I was also fortunate to have several friends in the cohorts above me who provided invaluable support and guidance to me throughout my journey at UNSW Law & Justice. Being able to talk to students who have already completed courses I was studying, who have experienced similar challenges and who could provide advice about opportunities I may have missed was invaluable."

Alexander served as Academic Development Director for the UNSW Law Society and was a Faculty Peer Leader, which enabled him to tutor students in younger cohorts and help them navigate the challenges of law school.

"Your place at UNSW Law & Justice is an indicator of how talented you are."

"I was also honoured to be the Undergraduate Student Representative for three years (2020-2022) where I had the opportunity to work closely with staff on the Faculty Board and various committees to represent undergraduate students' views. Every student I connected with had a different learning experience during COVID and hearing about how students were balancing caring commitments alongside professional and academic obligations during this difficult time was genuinely inspiring."

Currently a Tipstaff to The Honourable Justice Kunc at the Supreme Court of New South Wales with future plans to join Herbert Smith Freehills' Graduate Program, Alexander's education continues to shape his career trajectory. "One of the key lessons I learnt from studying at UNSW Law & Justice is that studying law is an iterative process and that learning is enhanced through discussion with peers. For this reason, I enjoy seeking opportunities to explore complex legal problems in collaborative environments."

Alexander reflects on being recognised as Co-Valedictorian of the 2023 Undergraduate Cohort as both a very proud moment and a reminder of the opportunities that helped him achieve it.

"This award makes me grateful to have attended a university that provided me with so many amazing opportunities to study the law in different academic and practical environments. It also makes me reflect on all the support and guidance I received from teachers, family, friends and peers and how integral that support was to my achievements. I hope I can be a mentor to others in the same way I was fortunate to have several valuable mentors throughout my own academic and early professional journey."

"You don't know how excellent you will be at something until you try it."

Crediting his internships at the Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC) and Qantas as pivotal in shaping his understanding of legal practice and commercial realities, Alexander urges students to make the most of all the opportunities available to them.

"I not only learnt a lot about the legal issues facing our most vulnerable in society but also developed my interpersonal and client engagement skills by seeing how the team at KLC interacted with clients in difficult legal and personal situations. It was both an inspiring and eye-opening experience. I implore others to supplement your academic experience with an internship course that can provide you with your own unique professional and personal experiences."

"Get involved with the opportunities on offer at UNSW Law & Justice and never doubt your ability to partake in such activities. You don't know how excellent you will be at something until you try it. Don't let yourself be your own worst enemy by doubting your potential! Your place at UNSW Law & Justice is an indicator of how talented you are."

Participating in the 2021 International Chamber of Commerce Paris Mediation Competition and working as a Research Assistant in the Law & Justice Faculty gave Niki opportunities to develop her skills and deepen her understanding of law. "Dr.  Rosemary Howell's teachings not only enhanced my negotiation skills but also boosted my self-confidence. Additionally, Professor Rosalind Dixon's mentorship was pivotal in shaping my academic and professional journey,"

Some of Niki's most memorable achievements include her team ranking 3rd out of 48 international universities in the ICC Paris Mediation competition, being published in the UNSW Law Journal Student Series and making the UNSW Law & Justice Dean's List in 2022.

Actively participating in the UNSW Law Society, Niki gained hands-on experience in mediation and negotiation. Sharpening her skills and utilising the platform to advocate for gender equality through initiatives like the Women's Negotiation Competition, an initiative that is still active two years after its inception.

"Throughout university, I was heavily involved with the UNSW Law Society. I first volunteered as a Mediation Director in 2019/2020 and later was elected as Skills Vice President in 2021/2022. Additionally, I was a clerkship mentor and participated in as many internal and external negotiation, mediation, and client interviewing competitions as I could!"

"Stay true to your personal values and let them guide your decisions." 

Reflecting on being recognised as Valedictorian Niki states, "Coming from a migrant background, my journey has been shaped by the values of hard work, resilience, and gratitude. Being recognised as Valedictorian is an incredible honour and a testament to the sacrifices my family has made and the unwavering support of my friends and teachers at UNSW. I am immensely grateful to UNSW, not only for this award but also for the countless opportunities the university has provided. From access to a top-tier faculty to the vibrant and diverse student community, UNSW has been instrumental in my academic and personal growth."

Since graduation, Niki has gone on to a role as a Researcher/Tipstaff to the President of the NSW Court of Appeal. Her advice to current students is to "Take every opportunity and engage actively in your learning! Participate in discussions and regularly seek feedback from your lecturers and professors. UNSW is unique because the Law & Justice faculty focus on a personal and tailored academic experience for students, rather than a clinical approach to teaching. Your lecturers and peers have a wealth of knowledge and genuinely care about your academic growth. Stay true to your personal values and let them guide your decisions. Your unique background and life experience is your biggest strength, so use them to make a positive impact on your community."

Throughout his academic journey, Triston was supported and guided by many teachers and peers, and he notes, in particular, the detailed and insightful explanations provided by lecturers like Christopher Pearce. Triston was also grateful for the guidance and support from teachers and faculty members, including Kayleen Manwaring and Sean Brennan, mooting coaches Betty Fei, Kirby Pearson and Jack Zhou, and research thesis supervisors Gabrielle Appleby and Simon Kozlina.

A range of extracurricular activities, including mooting competitions and working as an editor for the UNSW Law Journal, inspired Triston to take an interest in litigation, furthered by experience with complex and challenging legal issues as a research assistant for a barrister.

"After graduation and completion of PLT, I have been working as an Associate to Judge Montgomery at the District Court of NSW. I am thinking about working as a litigation solicitor after that. I am also considering going to the Bar in the future, although this currently seems like a remote goal. Such aspirations would have been merely fanciful for me without my studies at UNSW Law & Justice. I am truly grateful for the journey at UNSW that has shaped me into who I am today."

"Always be prepared to challenge others... and be challenged."

On his recognition as Valedictorian: "I am immensely honoured to have been recognised as the 2023 Valedictorian of the JD cohort at UNSW Law & Justice. I could not have achieved this without the support of my family, friends, the Law Faculty and UNSW, especially during the disruptions of COVID-19. Studying at UNSW Law & Justice has been a unique, warm, and rewarding experience filled with exciting moments and cherished memories. This recognition marks the conclusion of my journey at UNSW and the commencement of the next chapter in my life."

Triston's words of advice for students in the midst of their academic journey: "If you find a case interesting, read the original judgment rather than extracts in textbooks. Always be prepared to challenge others (including classmates, teachers, textbooks and judgments) and be challenged. Don't panic over the exams. You will miss these days!"