29/07/2026
Celebrating New Zealand legal talent at the 2026 ALSA Conference
The 2026 ALSA (Australian Law Students' Association) National Conference in Adelaide brought together law students from across Australia and New Zealand for a week of advocacy competitions, governance meetings, professional development, networking, and celebration.
This year marked ALSA's 50th anniversary, with more than 180 attendees taking part in the national conference, co-hosted by Adelaide University and Flinders University from 10–16 July 2026.
LexisNexis New Zealand was proud to support the New Zealand Law Students' Association Paper Presentation campus representatives as they competed in the ALSA Paper Presentation Competition. The New Zealand competitors presented on an impressive range of legal topics:
• Jasper Matenga O'Kane (SOULS) — “Filling the Void? The Limits of Human Rights Protection for Unlawful Combatants under International Humanitarian Law.”
• Seamus Lohrey (WULSA) — “Expanding Deportation, Deepening Injustice.”
• Antonio Sidonio (LAWSOC) — “The Modern Ship of Theseus.”
• Isla Clarkson (VUWLSS) — “To Choose a Chose: Classifying Cryptocurrency at Common Law.”
• Molly Zhou (AULSS) — “Orbiting Parental Alienation: What Are Its Effects on the Extraterrestrial Rights of Children in Humanoid Disputes?”
• David Kim (AUTLSS) — “Duty to Rescue in New Zealand.”
Following a strong round of presentations against representatives from Australian universities, the final once again showcased the strength of New Zealand legal research, with Seamus Lohrey and Isla Clarkson progressing through to the final round.
Congratulations to Isla Clarkson, who was announced as the 2026 winner at the ALSA Gala Night. This is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for New Zealand law students on the international student law stage.
In a clean sweep of recognition, Antonio Sidonio was also awarded the Paper Presentation Spirit Award.
Well done to all competitors, organisers, judges, and supporters who contributed to such a successful conference and competition.
Victoria University of Wellington Law Students' Society, LAWSOC Canterbury - The University of Canterbury Law Students' Society, Auckland University Law Students' Society, AUT Law Students' Society (AUTLSS), WULSA - Waikato University Law Students' Association, SOULS Otago - The Society of Otago University Law Students, AUT Law School