Monash Law academics recognised as Monash 70th Anniversary Fellows
There are moments in the life of a university when it pauses to recognise not only achievement, but the people whose contributions help shape its future.
As Monash University approaches its 70th anniversary, the new Monash 70th Anniversary Fellows scheme has been established to celebrate outstanding academic staff whose work exemplifies excellence in research, education, enterprise and community impact.
Appointment as a Fellow is both a recognition of achievement and an investment in the future, acknowledging those whose work is helping advance the University's purpose and global reputation.
Five members of Monash Law have been appointed as Monash 70th Anniversary Fellows: Associate Professor Paul Burgess, Associate Professor Ross Hyams, Associate Professor Karinne Ludlow, Dr Jess Mant and Fay Gertner. Each brings a distinctive contribution to the Faculty of Law, from pioneering research into artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to expanding access to justice, strengthening clinical legal education and fostering meaningful community partnerships.
Together, they represent the breadth of expertise and impact that defines Monash Law. Their work reaches courtrooms, classrooms, government agencies, community legal centres and research collaborations around the world. Whether shaping public policy, mentoring future lawyers or addressing complex legal challenges, each has made a lasting contribution to the University and the communities it serves.
Their appointment as Monash 70th Anniversary Fellows recognises both their achievements to date and the influence they will continue to have in the years ahead.
Associate Professor Paul Burgess appointed Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow
Paul Burgess's appointment as a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow acknowledges his leadership at the intersection of law, technology and education.
As the Founder of Monash Law's Technology and AI in Legal Education Research Lab, he has championed innovation in legal education. Through his interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues in computer science, education, and business – both at Monash and beyond – has developed teaching approaches that help students engage critically with emerging technologies while maintaining a strong grounding in legal reasoning and professional ethics. Through his leadership, research and public engagement, he is helping prepare the legal profession for a future shaped by AI while remaining committed to the enduring values that underpin the law.
"Being appointed a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow is a tremendous honour. This is, however, a reflection of the amazing colleagues, students and collaborators with whom I have been lucky enough to meet ,” Burgess said.
“This recognition reflects the collective willingness to embrace technology and innovation in all aspects of the law – in both legal education and in legal practice – to ensure that we can ensure our legal systems remain trustworthy and effective for all."
Alongside his work on education, as Deputy Director of the Digital Law Group and through outreach and professional education with both Victorian schools and the Law Institute of Victoria, Associate Professor Burgess has become a leading voice in examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal systems and what that means for the future of legal practice, governance and teaching.
His research explores some of the most significant questions facing contemporary legal systems. Through scholarship examining AI-assisted decision-making, algorithmic accountability and the future of the Rule of Law, he has consistently argued that technological advancement must be accompanied by transparency, fairness and human oversight. His 2024 book, AI and the Rule of Law: The Necessary Evolution of a Concept, has contributed to international discussions about how legal principles can remain effective in an increasingly digital world.
Associate Professor Ross Hyams appointed Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow
For more than three decades, Ross Hyams has helped shape generations of Monash law students through a career dedicated to clinical legal education, community engagement and access to justice. His appointment as a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow recognises a longstanding commitment to ensuring legal education remains connected to the communities it serves.
Since joining Monash's clinical program in 1990, Associate Professor Hyams has played a central role in developing opportunities for students to learn law through practice. He has led community legal services including the Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service and Springvale Monash Legal Service, creating environments where students gain practical experience while supporting individuals facing legal challenges.
His contribution extends well beyond the classroom. As Director of Work Integrated Learning, he has helped strengthen pathways between legal education and professional practice, ensuring students graduate with both technical expertise and a strong sense of professional responsibility. His work has been recognised across the legal profession, and he was the recipient of the inaugural Law Institute of Victoria President's Community Lawyers' Award.
"I am deeply moved to be appointed a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside remarkable colleagues, students and community partners who share a commitment to justice and service,” Hyams said.
“This fellowship reflects the importance of clinical legal education and the role universities can play in preparing lawyers to make a positive difference in people's lives."
Through teaching, leadership and scholarship, Associate Professor Hyams has consistently championed the idea that legal education should promote both professional excellence and social justice. His influence has been and continues to be felt through the many graduates who have carried those values into their own careers.
Associate Professor Karinne Ludlow appointed Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow
Karinne Ludlow's appointment as a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow recognises her
world-leading research on the regulation of biotechnology and health law; including more than $17 million in funding, and scholarship that directly informed Australia's landmark "Maeve's Law" on mitochondrial donation.
Her work makes a significant contribution to understanding the legal and policy challenges created by emerging technologies, helping governments, regulators and industries navigate some of the most complex regulatory questions of our time. Associate Professor Ludlow's research spans biotechnology, genetic technologies, nanotechnology and synthetic biology, with applications across health, agriculture and industry. A defining feature of her work has been its practical impact. Her research has informed law reform processes, government policy development and regulatory frameworks, both in Australia and internationally. Her scholarship has been cited by bodies including the Australian Law Reform Commission, French Government Biotechnology High Council and US National Academies of Science.
Current projects examining genome editing, mitochondrial disease and inheritable genetic modification continue her longstanding commitment to addressing emerging legal issues before they become pressing societal challenges.
"I am proud to be appointed a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow. I have been privileged throughout my career to work with outstanding researchers, students and policymakers whose expertise has enriched my work,” Ludlow said.
“This recognition highlights the value of bringing different disciplines together to address the legal and policy questions that arise from scientific and technological change."
Alongside her research leadership, Associate Professor Ludlow has developed innovative interdisciplinary teaching programs and contributed extensively to university, government and medical policy committees. Her career reflects a commitment to building connections between academic research, public policy and real-world outcomes.
Dr Jess Mant appointed Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow
Jess Mant's selection as a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow is a credit to her growing body of research focused on improving access to justice and understanding how legal systems are experienced by the people who rely on them. Through her socio-legal and empirical research, she has helped shine a light on barriers that can prevent individuals from fully participating in legal processes.
Her work has made an important contribution to family law scholarship, particularly in relation to self-represented litigants and the challenges they face in navigating court systems. In 2024 she was awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award to investigate procedural fairness in family court proceedings involving self-represented parties, building on her earlier research into this issue that has attracted international attention.
Beyond family law, Dr Mant's research examines legal aid, legal capability, dispute resolution and innovation in legal support services. Her projects have informed government policy discussions in both Australia and the United Kingdom and have contributed to broader debates about how legal systems can become more accessible and effective.
"I’m so excited to be recognised as a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow. I am grateful to the colleagues, mentors, research partners, and above all, research participants that I have worked with during my research career so far,” Mant said.
“This appointment aligns perfectly with the timing of my DECRA fellowship, and I’m really looking forward to using both of these fellowships as an opportunity to advocate for the importance of evidence driven, impactful access to justice research that can help people when they are faced with legal problems.”
As Deputy Director of the Warren Centre for Civil Justice, she continues to explore practical ways of improving justice outcomes while supporting the next generation of socio-legal researchers and legal scholars.
Fay Gertner appointed Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow
This Monash 70th Anniversary Fellowship recognises Fay Gertner's longstanding dedication to clinical legal education and community legal service. A Monash graduate herself, she has spent much of her career helping students develop the practical skills, professional confidence and social awareness needed to succeed in legal practice, whilst also ensuring best possible outcomes for the clients who come to the legal service.
After beginning her career in private practice and government legal roles, Ms Gertner became involved with the Springvale Monash Legal Service before progressing into leadership positions within Monash's clinical programs. As Director of Monash Oakleigh Legal Service, she has helped create meaningful learning opportunities for students while ensuring clients receive access to quality legal assistance.
Her leadership has been marked by a willingness to innovate. A recent example is the development of a multidisciplinary clinic that brings together students from law, social work, business, economics, interpreting and translation. This initiative provides students with a more holistic understanding of professional practice while delivering broader support to clients facing complex challenges.
"I am deeply honoured to be appointed a Monash 70th Anniversary Fellow and acknowledge that his recognition is bigger than me, it justly reflects the collective effort of all those involved in the clinical programme in growing, strengthening and improving it for the benefit of students and clients."
For more than two decades, Ms Gertner has supervised students in clinical environments, helping them connect legal theory with lived experience and contributing to their growth as people, lawyers and beyond. Her contribution has shaped the careers of countless graduates and strengthened Monash Law's commitment to community-engaged education.
Celebrating excellence across Monash Law
The appointment of Associate Professor Paul Burgess, Associate Professor Ross Hyams, Associate Professor Karinne Ludlow, Dr Jess Mant and Fay Gertner as Monash 70th Anniversary Fellows recognises five careers that have enriched research, teaching, innovation and community engagement across the Faculty of Law.
Together, they demonstrate the enduring impact of academic leadership grounded in service, curiosity and a commitment to creating positive change. As Monash approaches its 70th anniversary, these appointments celebrate not only individual achievement, but the collective contribution of those helping shape the future of law, legal education and the communities they serve.