UC law graduate retrains and steps into work

Cornell Prinsloo will graduate with a Bachelor of Laws from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury on Wednesday 15 April.

Originally enrolled at UC in 2010, Cornell left before completing his legal studies and went on to build a career across retail, business and real estate, including completing a commerce degree.

But working alongside property transactions and legal processes brought him back to law.

“I kind of just got to a point where I realised that if I didn’t make the change then I probably never would,” he says.  

Returning to UC in his early 30s, he approached studying with a clear goal of moving into legal practice.

He completed his law degree in two and a half years, taking on a full workload each semester to fast-track his return to the workforce.

Alongside his studies, Cornell gained practical experience through a clerkship, which led directly to his current role in property law. He is now working at Tavendale and Partners in Christchurch and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court in March after completing his professional studies.

Experiences beyond the classroom also shaped his direction. Through careers events and regular engagement with legal professionals, organised by the Law Faculty at UC, he was able to better understand different pathways within the profession. 

“I think those exposures narrowed down what I then applied for. I knew by then I didn’t want to do criminal law, and that property law held my interest,” he says. 

He was also involved in student-led initiatives and practical coursework, including working with real clients through a final-year project.

Reflecting on his journey back to study, Cornell says making the decision to change direction was the most important step.

“I think that change is scary, but it’s not the end. You’re never too old to change your path,” he says.  

His advice to others considering a return to study is to commit to a direction, while staying open to where it may lead.

“Choose a direction and know that you can always change.”