New Zealand lawyers receive Fulbright Awards

Three New Zealand lawyers are the recipients of 2005 Fulbright graduate awards to carry out post-graduate study in America.

The awards, valued at US$15,000 each, plus return travel to the US, are for promising graduate students who show academic excellence, leadership potential and the ability to be cultural ambassadors for New Zealand.

Nina Khouri, who currently works for specialist litigation and arbitration practice
Gilbert Walker in Auckland, will pursue a Masters in Law at New York University, specialising in the theory and practice of law as a mechanism for the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"My research in the US will involve jurisprudential enquiry into whether law is able to provide the rational and principled resolution of disputes we hope of it, together with an examination of alternative dispute resolution processes and alternative conceptions of law and legal systems."

Nina, who has an LLB (Hons) and a BA in Philosophy and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Auckland, would eventually like to work as a dispute resolution practitioner and as a legal academic, contributing to the development of legal dispute resolution policy in New Zealand.

Alastair Cameron, who is a Ministerial Adviser in the office of Hon Marion Hobbs, is also going to New York University to do a Masters in Law specialising in public international law and comparative constitutional law. He has an LLB (Hons) and a BA in Public Policy and Latin from Victoria University.

"My objective is to consider the impact of international law and governance on the domestic, constitutional and administration arrangements of the American states," says Alastair.

"In particular, I intend to examine how states can respond to challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation to improve the living standards of citizens."

Matthew Gillette, a Judge's Clerk at the Ministry of Justice, is going to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to do an LLM specialising in public international law, specifically the doctrine of humanitarian intervention.

"When crises develop in the States the whole global community is affected, which requires the development of a legal doctrine to sanction intervention.

"I hope to develop my critical thinking and my awareness of these issues in a wider world. I eagerly anticipate meeting like-minded students from a variety of cultures with whom I can discuss academic issues."

Matt has an LLB (Hons) from Otago University.

In 2006, up to 20 Fulbright graduate awards, each valued at US$25,000 plus travel to the US, will be offered. Awards are granted for advanced academic study in the US. The closing date for applications is 1 October 2005. For further details visit www.fulbright.org.nz

ENDS