At age 30, Anthony Gambrell decided to pursue a career change into law, after missing out on the entrance marks after high school. ACAP University College’s Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice helped him find his dream job and his confidence.
Growing up, Anthony Gambrell always wanted to be a lawyer, but when he completed his VCE he was disappointed to see he hadn’t achieved the high marks required for the university course.
So, he changed direction.
“I did a general degree, got married, had a child and found myself working in hospitality for a long time,” he said.
“I loved my job in specialty coffee, as a Melburnian I do love a good cup of coffee,” he laughed.
“But after quite a while I didn’t really feel fulfilled and decided to make a change.”
Anthony went on an extensive higher education journey. He studied psychology and criminology and for six years worked in the mental health space.
But he found he couldn’t ignore the call of his original dream job, and he successfully enrolled in a Juris Doctorate qualification to become a lawyer.
“When I’d completed my Juris Doctorate, I chose ACAP for my practical legal training (PLT),” he said.
ACAP offers PLT through the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) in partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) online, which drew Anthony to the course.
“I am married with young children, and was working full time, so doing the PLT with ACAP allowed me to finish my studies while still being a good husband and dad, and working to support my family. ACAP was so practical and hands-on, and we were given autonomy and mentorship; we were studying remotely but my teachers were always available for advice and support.”
Going into law Anthony had some insecurities; he was the first lawyer in his family and was anxious about the connections and knowledge to which he might not have access.
But he said doing the GDLP with ACAP completely transformed his confidence.
“I was never very confident but going through ACAP and meeting the people that I’m meeting and working with the mentors and their feedback helped me gain confidence,” he said.
“I will never forget the day the course director Adam May said to me, ‘Anthony, you’ve got to be proud of where you’ve come from and where you are now … you’ve worked hard for it.’ He basically helped me realise that I am just as qualified and as worthy of being in this industry as anyone else.”
He said with ACAP’s program and the LIV partnership he was able to forge his own path in law.
“Studying at ACAP has allowed me to be connected into the industry,” he said.
“I’ve been involved with a LIV committee and attended quite a few LIV events which have helped me meet people and also get involved within the sector.”
Now he has secured a highly –sought-after job and is making his way in the industry.
“ACAP also encouraged me to explore diverse pathways and be open, and now I’ve emerged with a job at one of the big six law firms, Herbert Smith Freehill,” he said.
“I would not be where I am today without ACAP, it’s not an exaggeration to say my life has completely changed.”
Interested in studying your GDLP at ACAP University College? Find out more here: PLT Course | Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice | Enrol Now