For many law students and graduates, the pathway into law can look different depending on their experiences, opportunities and career goals. For Leo Cussen Alumna, Amanda Acutt, her journey to admission didn’t follow a traditional timeline.
Amanda was officially admitted to the legal profession in Queensland on 27 April 2026, more than a decade after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Honors) from the University of Queensland.
Blind since birth, Amanda’s pathway into the profession has not been a traditional one, but her recent admission reflects years of persistence, professional growth and an enduring passion for the law.
Amanda completed both an Honours degree and a PhD in Criminology after law school. Her research explored the relationship between law, policy and vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on the legal mechanisms surrounding school truancy and youth engagement in education. She gained valuable insight into the real-world impacts that a lack of understanding of the law (and the consequences of noncompliance) can have on vulnerable groups. This experience ultimately strengthened her desire to work more closely within the legal and policy landscape.
Amanda went on to build a career in the Queensland Public Sector, holding a range of legislative policy roles. She currently works as a Principal Policy Officer at the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support.
In 2023, with the support of her employer, Amanda completed Practical Legal Training (PLT) at Leo Cussen. Reflecting on the experience, she believes there was real value in completing PLT later in her career.
“My professional experience made the file work and appearances far less daunting than they might otherwise have been,” she explained.
Amanda’s story highlights that there is no single or right way to enter the legal profession. At Leo Cussen, students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, which each bring something different to the profession.
Now officially admitted, Amanda is more motivated than ever to explore opportunities in legal practice and bring her multidisciplinary perspective into the profession.
For students feeling uncertain about their career direction or pathway into law, Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no single pathway and that a passion for the profession can stand the test of time.
