How TradeLab clinic shaped Ash Dowling’s legal studies
Written by James Brandis, Senior Communications and Content Coordinator.
Ash Dowling (fourth from left) in Geneva with her TradeLab colleagues, other panel members, and Tradelab Clinic Supervisor, Associate Professor Caroline Henckels (far left)
Ash Dowling, a final-year Monash Law and Commerce student, didn’t expect her clinical legal education to take her across the globe. But thanks to the TradeLab Clinic and the generosity of a Monash Law Clinics donor she found herself presenting at the World Trade Organisation’s Public Forum in Geneva in 2024.
Ash chose TradeLab Clinic over other clinical options because she was looking for an opportunity to put her commercial law studies into practice.
“I liked the fact that it was going to draw upon my economics background as well,” Ash said.
“I hadn’t really had the chance to use economics in my law degree up until that point.”
TradeLab Clinic offers students the chance to work on real-world legal projects with international impact. Ash’s team was tasked with preparing a report for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), examining trade and sustainable development provisions in free trade agreements.
“These are somewhat new mechanisms. They ask parties to a treaty to meet certain environmental and labourrelated obligations as part of the trade agreement,” she explained.
“It was a topic that was really close to my heart. We were looking at whether these provisions were in fact effective in light of the enforcement mechanisms in place, and also considered some of the difficulties faced by developing countries in obliging.”
Ash was excited when she learned of the possibility that two students would be sent overseas on a special mission.
As a result, her Clinics experience was far more than academic.
Ash had the opportunity to travel to Geneva to speak on a panel titled ‘Greening Global Trade: Sustainability, Economic Development, and Young Scholars’ Insights’. She presented alongside students from India, Germany and Switzerland.
“I had the chance to present on a panel, speaking about our research into those trade and sustainable development provisions,” she said.
“My public speaking abilities and my confidence in networking also increased as a result.”
The trip was made possible by a Monash Law alumnus now based in the United States, who funded the opportunity to promote TradeLab Clinic and support international experiences for students.
“He was quite intrigued by TradeLab Clinic in particular and wanted to fund an international experience. I think he really sees the value of international exposure and how they help with networking and broadening one’s horizons.”
Ash described the Geneva trip as career defining.
It gave her insight into global legal careers, expanded her professional network, and helped her secure a graduate position at a commercial law firm.
“It really got me excited about a career in law and opened my eyes up to the variety of careers in law that sometimes students don’t know about.”
For those considering support for clinical legal education, Ash offered a heartfelt message with the confidence and worldliness that her own Clinics experience had instilled in her.
“I hope that future donors can really see the value in supporting Monash Law Clinics. This could be a moment that changes the career trajectory of a law student,” she shared.
“It’s an experience that I will always remember.”