Juliette Churchill, Executive Director, Property Services (far left), takes distinguished guests through the plans for the Michael Kirby Law School Building.

Macquarie welcomed two special guests to campus on 29 June, as Chancellor Emeritus the Honourable Mr Michael Kirby AC CMG and his partner Johan van Vloten were given a tour of the soon-to-be-completed Michael Kirby Law School Building at 17 Wally’s Walk.

Named for the Hon Mr Kirby’s contribution to the University and the Australian legal profession, the innovative new building is set to be the purpose-built home for Macquarie Law School and other key initiatives including Wallumatta Legal, the Aboriginal Legal Career Pathways program and a professional legal clinic space for students.

Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton was joined by Professor Lise Barry, Dean of Macquarie Law School; Hedda Paisley, Executive Director, Philanthropy; and Juliette Churchill, Executive Director, Property Services, to help showcase the building’s impressive features to the distinguished guests.

Created with engagement in mind, the open-plan building design embodies the welcoming ethos of Macquarie Law School, while clever internal connections encourage collaboration and the free exchange of ideas between educators, students, researchers, industry and the greater community.

Having opportunities to engage with the community is a particularly important feature of legal education at Macquarie, as the Hon Mr Kirby – a prominent advocate for social justice – has noted.

“Reminding law students, whilst they undertake their studies at Macquarie Law School, of the realities of injustice and inequality in Australia is not only helpful for those in need – it is also a big motivator for what originally inspires most law students to get involved with the law,” the Hon Mr Kirby said.

Left to right: Troy Thomas, FDC Senior Project Manager, Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton and the Honourable Mr Michael Kirby

Professor Barry said the new building will allow Macquarie students to take their understanding of their role as legal professionals to a new level.

“This building will truly be a hub for the next generation of legal leaders,” she said. “The design fosters intellectual curiosity and promotes professional competency by encouraging students to integrate the skills they have developed in their courses to real-world applications.”

The building’s features include cutting-edge teaching spaces, lecture theatres, recording studios, independent and collaborative study and research centres, an outdoor area and an event space.

The Hon Mr Kirby was particularly excited to see the ‘floating’ moot court taking shape. The first of its kind in Australia, the court extends beyond the Wally’s Walk façade and will serve as a prominent reminder to the whole campus community of the important role universities play in shaping the nation’s future.

“The Michael Kirby Building solidifies the future of Macquarie Law School as an agent of positive change,” said Professor Dowton. “Not only will it support our ambition to deliver a future-focused and transformative student experience at Macquarie, but it also creates a vibrant hub on our Wallumattagal Campus as we work with partners and communities to create a more just, ethical and inclusive future for us all.”

Construction of the Michael Kirby Building is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

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Hear from the Hon Mr Michael Kirby as he recalls his days as a law student in this Leading Lights video interview >