Monash Law Student Finalist in Top100 Future Leaders Awards
Monash Law and Commerce student Daphne Cui has been honoured as a finalist in the prestigious 2025 Top100 Future Leaders Awards by the Australian Financial Review. This recognition highlights her exceptional achievements and dedication to making a significant impact in the fields of law, commerce, and social justice.
What are the Top100 Future Leaders Awards?
The Top100 Future Leaders Awards is a competition to recognise Top Australian employers, University students and Universities. Finalists get the opportunity to network and make friends with university students from across the country. They get access to Australia's top grad employers and ultimately have their name printed in The Australian Financial Review.
Unlike other competitions, these Awards test students on their application skills, communication skills, and their personal branding. After a written application, students complete a selection of skills testing commonly used by many of Australia’s top graduate employers.
The next stage is a video interview and then the finalists head to the Assessment Centre where they were put into a trade negotiation simulation.
“They wanted to see leadership, collaboration and people who are willing to include everyone in the game instead of someone who's very dominating,” shared Daphne.
Once the assessments were completed the Daphne and the other finalists headed to the Awards night in Sydney which are dubbed, "the Oscars of grad recruitment".
Daphne at the Assessment Centre with fellow finalists in the Clifford Chance Social Impact category of the Top100 Future Leaders Awards.
Daphne's journey through one of the top law schools in Australia
Daphne's journey to this accolade highlights her perseverance and passion. After commencing her legal studies as an international student, Daphne has embraced the opportunities provided by Monash Law to excel academically and professionally.
Throughout her six years at Monash, she has engaged in various industrial experiences, including a memorable stint at the Monash Prato campus, where she studied international law and worked closely with Professor Gerry Nagtzaam, an expert in international environmental law.
"Monash has so many opportunities for students," Daphne said.
"The experience at the Prato campus was invaluable, and working with Professor Gerry Nagtzaam on international environmental law was truly inspiring."
UNEP Global Plastics Treaty
One of Daphne's most notable contributions has been her involvement with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) where she assisted in drafting the Global Plastics Treaty.
“Gerry really inspired me to work with his UN project. So throughout last year I've been volunteering at UNEP and drafting the Global Plastics Treaty with him.”
“I’ll continue working on another international sustainability financing project with him because last year the treaty didn’t reach the proposed outcome.”
Although she’s disappointed that she couldn't attend the international conference in November 2024, Daphne’s continuing work on climate justice demonstrates her commitment to global environmental issues.
"My UN experience is definitely something I'm really proud of," Daphne shared.
"I think more students should know about these opportunities that Monash offers."
EY Oceania Tax Challenge Winner
As a double degree student studying Law and Commerce, Daphne's achievements extend beyond the Law Faculty. She has also won the EY Oceania Tax Challenge competition, affirming her ambition to work at the intersection of law and commerce.
Her experiences have shown her the potential for commercial lawyers to contribute to business and human rights areas such as anti-money laundering, privacy protection, and energy transition.
"As commercial lawyers, we can leverage our expertise in this area to contribute in social justice and social impact areas," Daphne explained.
"There are so many different business areas closely linked to global policy and human rights advocacy."
Daphne at the 2025 Top100 Future Leaders Awards night with fellow finalists in the Clifford Chance Social Impact category.
Clifford Chance Social Impact Award
With her sustainability work at the United Nations Environment Programme and her win in the EY Oceania Tax Challenge competition, Daphne became a finalist in the Clifford Chance Social Impact category of the Top100 Future Leaders Awards. The simple act of getting into the awards is evidence of Daphne’s perseverance and determination.
“ I applied for the Top100 Future Leaders Awards three years in a row and luckily I got a chance this year,” revealed Daphne.
Clifford Chance, a global commercial law firm, sponsors this award to honour individuals passionate about international presence and advocacy.
“ They've been working with UN closely as part of their pro bono practice. That was the motivation for me applying because that really aligns with what I want to do in the future. With my Chinese background, anti-discrimination and multiculturalism has been close to my heart.”
Daphne's dedication to inclusion, coupled with her extensive experience in social impact work, made her a standout candidate among the 2000 applicants. While she didn’t win the Clifford Chance Social Impact category, she felt privileged to be one of the ten finalists.
"It's about knowing that there are so many other people in the same pathway as us. As long as we keep trying and not giving up, there will be a time that aligns and our efforts will be recognised."
Monash University Law student achievements
Daphne credits her Monash Law studies for setting her up for success. Her work in compliance and legal roles at Mercedes-Benz and the Big Four, along with her international environmental law initiatives, have equipped her with the skills and knowledge to excel in the commercial law space.
She emphasises the importance of exploring different pathways and staying open to various opportunities, as her experiences have shown her the cross-disciplinary nature of law and its potential to create positive change.
"There are so many areas that lawyers can go into in the future," Daphne noted.
Law and human rights advocacy: Daphne's vision
Looking ahead, Daphne remains committed to her goal of working at the intersection of business law and human rights advocacy. She aspires to continue her pro bono practice and inspire others to make a difference.
“ I do have a goal. It can sound a little bit too big, but at the end of the day, I think it's really important to be able to dream big because you never really know your limits and what you can really do,” declared Daphne.
“I've secured two different graduate positions at the Big Four professional services networks. And I have an upcoming Magic Circle law firm clerkship in Sydney. So, I think it's about breaking barriers and remaining curious.”
Daphne's future is bright, and her achievements serve as an inspiration to her peers and the broader Monash community.
"I want to be in the intersection between business law and human rights advocacy and always being able to contribute to pro bono practice and inspire people around me," Daphne shared.
"It's so important to stay positive and dream bigger."
Daphne's journey from an international student to a recognized future leader is a remarkable story of resilience, ambition, and dedication. Her achievements underscore the value of the opportunities provided by Monash Law and the importance of dreaming big and staying positive. As she continues to make strides in her career, Daphne Cui is undoubtedly a name to watch in the fields of law and commerce.