Final-year UNSW student wins top national law award

Setting up for success

Ms Shaik entered UNSW through the Gateway Program. Growing up in southwest Sydney, she attended a school where pathways to universities like UNSW were less visible, making her journey to law all the more significant.

“I remember being very excited for university and the next chapter of my life,” Ms Shaik said.

“Gateway at the time was relatively new and it was the first time my high school was on the eligibility list, so I thought I had to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Since then, Ms Shaik has embraced every opportunity that has come her way. “The biggest thing, especially for other people coming from similar immigrant low socioeconomic backgrounds, is that there is this idea you have to be bold,” Ms Shaik said.

“Many people come into law with a lot more connections, and I think the only way to really gain that network for yourself is going out there and talking to people. It can feel very scary – and it did for me at the time – but I reached out to people for advice, and that has shaped my direction.”

That determination has shaped Ms Shaik’s dedication to civil liberties and social justice. In 2025, she founded the No Child In Solitary campaign, a national student-run initiative aimed at ending the use of solitary confinement for children and young people in detention across the country.

“I knew when I started at UNSW, I wanted to do something in civil liberties, but I had a very vague sense of what that was,” Ms Shaik said.

“But having worked at law firms and in community legal centres, I've worked with people who have had such horrible things happen to them in their lives. That really started this passion in children's rights and youth justice because I saw the long-term impact it can have.”

Australia’s leading law school

In addition to winning the student category at the Australian Law Awards, Ms Shaik was shortlisted for the final award of the night, the Australian Law Awards Excellence Award.

UNSW Law & Justice also celebrated Associate Professor Sean Brennan and Dr Leon Terrill, Director of Faculty of L&J Online Programs, as finalists in the Academic of the Year category.

UNSW Law & Justice Dean, Professor Andrew Lynch, commended all three on their outstanding achievements.

“The Australian Law Awards recognise talent and initiative across all aspects of the legal profession. We are incredibly proud to see Raahat recognised as this year’s Law Student of the Year – following Oliver Hammond from UNSW winning in the same category in 2025,” he said.

“Raahat’s award is so well-deserved and reflects her talent and commitment to making a positive change through law. It’s also a fantastic start to a very promising career.

“I also congratulate Associate Professor Sean Brennan and Dr Leon Terrill on being recognised for their academic excellence. Both are held in such high regard by their colleagues and students alike.

“This is a fantastic result for UNSW Law & Justice students and staff, and I look forward to seeing what our three finalists do next!”