University: The University of Western Australia

Postgraduate Degree: Juris Doctor

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Commerce, Business Law and Accounting

School Subjects: Mathematics Methods, English, Economics, Chemistry, Music, Religion

____________________________________________

After completing my undergrad degree, I was faced with a wide range of career options, much like the overwhelming choices presented to Year 12s when picking a degree. Luckily, I knew I wanted to pursue a Juris Doctor (JD). From a young age, I had a passion for reading and writing – skills that are fundamental to a career in law.

For my undergrad, I decided to do Business Law and Accounting. Business Law taught foundational concepts, which I found useful in helping me make that jump to studying JD. To supplement Business Law, I also studied Accounting. Business Law and Accounting is a common double major for pre-law students as their content complements one another. Specifically, terminology used in Accounting is present in some Business Law units, and Accounting also explores regulations that accountants follow.

At the end of my undergrad, I found studying Business Law far more engaging than Accounting, as working with numbers didn’t ‘click’ with me the same way law did. Additionally, I found that studying Accounting in uni was difficult as I didn’t do Accounting and Finance ATAR (although this is not true for everyone).

Now that I’m starting my penultimate year of JD, I can confidently say it was the perfect choice for me.

Juris Doctor (JD) and Business Law

The main difference between JD and Business Law is by far the difficulty. A common theme across all postgrads is the spike in workload and expectations – whether it’s contact hours, the complexity of content, or the standard of quality required. JD is no exception. It is far more rigorous and analytical, whereas Business Law tends to study ‘surface-level’ legal concepts. A stigma that comes with studying law is the large amount of reading required. However, I find this to be a common misconception, as I believe the readings are not just useful but essential. In my view, studying and applying the law boils down to writing and reading comprehension – soft skills that are developed from a young age. While there is a lot of reading, efficient study techniques make the readings less of a chore and more of an opportunity to learn and deepen your understanding.

That said, studying Business Law was still an enjoyable and valuable experience. Many JD students choose to do Business Law as their undergrad, and for good reason. It provides a strong foundation for what to expect in JD by exposing you to similar content, academic referencing styles, and experience in handling exam pressure. Despite these similarities, JD remains far more intensive. Luckily, there are plenty of resources to support a smooth transition into JD. A highlight for me is the intensive units at the beginning of 1st sem of each year in JD. Intensive units involve the entire cohort – much like a classroom setting – to study fundamental units. While the content is challenging, I found this period to be a fantastic chance to connect and befriend like-minded peers. Having a supportive group makes JD (and uni life in general) far more enjoyable and manageable.

Advice for Prospective Law Students

One piece of advice I would offer to students who are considering studying JD is to take Business Law as an undergrad major. While it’s not necessary, as many students begin JD without completing a pre-law major, Business Law provides a useful introduction to legal concepts. It allows you to build foundational knowledge, develop strong study habits (in particular, reading), and helps you figure out whether law is the right pathway for you. Additionally, it serves as a chance to form friendships, as many Business Law majors do continue with JD as a postgrad. More broadly, I would recommend law to anyone who enjoys reading and writing. If you come from a STEM-focused background, don’t overlook law as a potential career. I have several friends who completed only STEM ATAR subjects or pursued a STEM undergrad degree and are now thoroughly enjoying studying law. So don’t be afraid to try something new, and of course, always be on the lookout to ask around for other people’s opinions and experiences!