Intern Spotlight: Ava Abela, UNSW Law Student
- TJC
- 60 minutes ago
- 3 min read
We have been very pleased to host Ava as an intern at Terri Janke and Company. Ava is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNSW. She carries with her a strong commitment to fairness, equality, and the protection of rights, particularly for First Nations peoples.
Her Studies + What Inspires Her
Ava chose to study law to better understand how society manages complex interactions involving ethics, conflict, and competing values. She is particularly interested in how legal systems uphold and protect individual rights, especially given the significant intersections between First Nations peoples and the law, from over-policing to native title and land rights.
Alongside law, Ava studies criminology and criminal justice out of a deep curiosity about how society approaches criminal behaviour and the ideologies that shape it. The discipline is strengthening her underpinning knowledge of systemic issues and justice frameworks.
So far, Ava has particularly enjoyed studying tort law, drawn to its strong advocacy dimension. She is passionate about ensuring individuals understand their rights, especially in areas such as negligence. For Ava, justice is not just theoretical; it’s about ensuring people feel empowered to seek remedy when they’ve been wronged.
Background + Perspectives
Ava’s commitment to fairness is deeply influenced by her family. Her father instilled in her a strong sense of justice and equality, while her mother, a proud Biripai woman, has guided her to be proud of her culture and identity.
As an Indigenous woman, Ava is conscious of the injustices that First Nations communities continue to experience. This awareness drives her belief that law, policy, and governance must actively uphold and protect Indigenous rights, culture, and self-determination.
Through her social science studies, Ava has further developed her understanding of respectful engagement, cultural protocols, and the broader challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
Her Contribution at TJC
During her internship, Ava gained valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a law firm and the pathways available within the legal profession. Speaking with paralegals and solicitors about their work and career journeys gave her a clearer understanding of what corporate legal practice involves and strengthened her confidence about her own future.
She was particularly excited to work alongside Terri and attend meetings and events, including the CareerTrackers Expo, hearing some brilliant thought leaders, including Martin Luther King III, share their stories and speak on social change
Ava also contributed to several substantive projects during her time at TJC, including researching and writing an AI deep-fake paper examining the Bush Legends case study, assisting in the refinement and review of protocols, and preparing and delivering an internal information-sharing presentation.
Looking Ahead
While Ava is still exploring the possibilities of her future – with several years of study ahead – she aspires to build a strong legal foundation woven with compassion. Leaning into her ambition, she is also open to the possibility of sitting the Bar in the future, or perhaps even opening her own practice.
Wherever her path leads, her commitment to fairness, equality, and culturally informed practice will remain central to her journey.
We thank Ava for her thoughtful contributions and enthusiasm during her time at TJC and look forward to seeing the impact she will make in the years ahead.
