Opening doors and supporting future legal changemakers
When Zainab Khavary fled Afghanistan in 2015, she arrived in Australia alone, with limited English, no family or friends – and a newborn baby in her arms. What she carried instead was courage and a deep determination to build a better life.
Just a few years later, Zainab became the first-ever recipient of the William Orule Memorial Law Scholarship – and in June 2025, she became the first to graduate through the program.
With financial support and a four-week clerkship at Hall & Wilcox, the scholarship supports law students from refugee backgrounds and honours the legacy of William Orule, a former colleague who fled South Sudan and tragically passed away in 2021.
A journey of resilience and resolve
Zainab’s pathway into law has been defined by grit, ambition and adaptability. While raising her young child, she completed a Bachelor of Accounting and a Bachelor of Laws at Western Sydney University –all while navigating life in a new country, studying in a second language and adapting to the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns.
‘When I first began this journey, I was terrified about how I could manage it all,’ Zainab reflects. ‘But the support I received became the force that pushed me forward.’
Through the Scholarship, Zainab completed a clerkship with our Statutory Insurance NSW and Pro Bono teams. Her experience was more than legal skills – it was about connection, confidence and a renewed sense of possibility. Shortly after completing her placement, she joined Hall & Wilcox as a law clerk, furthering her career in a profession she had worked so hard to enter.
She is now studying a Masters of Law at the University of Sydney and is well on her way to admission as a solicitor.
A partnership for progress
Administered by Western Sydney University, the William Orule Memorial Law Scholarship is powered by partnership. Hall & Wilcox is proud to contribute to the program in meaningful and practical ways:
- Hosting clerkships that offer real-world legal experience in an inclusive, supportive environment
- Promoting the program internally and externally to raise awareness and inspire future applicants
- Doubling our impact through the Hall & Wilcox Community Fund, which matches every staff member payroll contribution dollar-for-dollar.
Our leaders, including Partners Nathan Kennedy and Rhett Slocombe, have worked closely with the university to help shape the firm’s involvement and ensure it always reflects the values that define our culture.
The Hall & Wilcox Community Fund has committed to funding the scholarship again in 2026, ensuring the program continues to support emerging talent.
Why it matters
At Hall & Wilcox, we believe in the power of access and opportunity to change lives. Supporting students like Zainab through the William Orule Memorial Law Scholarship is part of our broader commitment to shaping a legal profession that reflects the diversity, strength and resilience of the communities we serve.
‘Receiving a scholarship was more than just financial support, it was a turning point in my life,’ says Zainab. ‘It made me feel seen, supported and encouraged at a time when I was still finding my place in a new country.’
The William Orule Memorial Scholarship is more than a program. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when community, compassion and opportunity come together – and the role we all play in building a more inclusive future for law.
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