Who am I?
My name is Lara Spooner and I am a full-time first-year law student at Griffith University. I am originally from Cairns and relocated at the beginning of 2025 to the Gold Coast to pursue a career in law.
My Background
Having grown up in a small city I learnt a lot about what it means to be a valued member of the community. As a young student, dancer and daughter, I often found myself looking up to those respected members of the community and aspiring to one day have the same compassion, skills, confidence and ability to help and inspire the way they did. This yearning to help the greater community was further encouraged and fostered while at high school. I attended a girls' Catholic school which played a significant role in giving back to others, especially the most vulnerable. My high school gave me opportunities to volunteer at homeless shelters, donate to charities and educate myself on current local and global issues.
Why Law?
It wasn't until after high school that I made the decision that this was what I truly wanted to do. Whilst I gained a love for reading and writing in school and thoroughly enjoyed legal studies, I really wasn't sure if I was passionate enough about the law to dedicate the next four years towards the degree. However, after I graduated high school I landed a job as a receptionist at a family law firm and eventually worked as a secretary/assistant. This experience was incredibly impactful for me and allowed me the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced and accredited family lawyers in Cairns. Not only was I exposed to what a future in law actually looks like but I met so many people of the community going through what was often the most challenging times of their lives. Being surrounded by such passionate lawyers who were changing people's lives and making a difference every day confirmed that this was what I wanted to do and so here I am today, a dedicated, hardworking and eager law student.