Dr Rachel Spencer: lawyer, writer, life-long learner
Dr Rachel Spencer is an independent consultant as well as a writer, editor, academic, and speaker. An avid reader, Rachel also works part-time at Mostly Books, where she hosts a monthly "Law and Literature" book club. She is the current President of the Friends of the Library.
She holds an impressive collection of tertiary qualifications, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA 1985), Bachelor of Laws (LLB 1986) and a Master of Laws (1994) from the University of Adelaide.
As well has her University of Adelaide degrees, Rachel obtained a Graduate Certificate in Education (University of South Australia), then a Master of Creative Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Writing (Flinders University).
“When I left school, I didn’t know at all what I wanted to study other than French. I went into Law knowing absolutely nothing about what to expect or where it might lead. My aim in life had always been to get to France and my French studies paved the way for that. Law was a bit of an add-on for me in those days, but in the end it became the mainstay of my professional life.”
"Law was a bit of an add-on for me in those days, but in the end it became the mainstay of my professional life.”
Rachel has fond memories of her time at the University, including formative years living at St Ann’s College as well as meeting other members of the French Club, many of whom she is still in touch with today. “We put on a play every year and we spent many lunch times across the year rehearsing in a freezing cold dusty room that was only accessible via several flights of steep stairs at the very back of Union Hall.”
Rachel in the iconic Barr Smith Library Reading Room for the "Take Two Oboes Concert"
After graduating from the University of Adelaide with her first double degree, she worked for a brief period as a trust officer before putting her French Club experience to good use for a move overseas – to teach English in a suburban high school just north of Paris. She relocated next to the UK, to teach English at an international summer school in Shropshire.
Eventually Rachel returned home to Adelaide and obtained her Master of Laws while working as a legal/ technical officer, and completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) to be admitted to legal practice. She practised as a corporate lawyer before moving into academia and was the inaugural Director of Practical Training at Flinders University School of Law.
She continued her academic career alongside studying a Masters in Creative Writing, and in 2018 took a position at Monash University as Associate Professor in Law and the Director of Monash Law Clinics, a community legal service. This was a memorable time for Rachel.
“Much of this job happened during the Covid pandemic. We were one of the very few community legal centres that took on new clients during Covid and we were incredibly busy. It was one of the busiest and most frenetic professional experiences in my life. Lots of people talk about having a lot of spare time during Covid – not us! We provided advice and assistance to many underprivileged and marginalised members of the community, most of whom would not have had access to legal advice otherwise. It was exhausting but very satisfying to be able to offer that kind of life-changing assistance while at the same time teaching law students about the value of community legal services and the importance of access to justice.”
"It was exhausting but very satisfying to be able to offer that kind of life-changing assistance while at the same time teaching law students about the value of community legal services and the importance of access to justice.”
Ensuring people have access to the justice they deserve and the help they need has been a defining aspect of Rachel’s success in her career. “Each time a client has said thank you for helping them, or a student has said that they enjoyed their experiences with me, that is always a highlight.”
Rachel completed a PhD in Creative and Performing Arts at Flinders University and is now an Adjunct Associate Professor. She is particularly interested in life writing – real stories, about real people. Rachel spends her time between writing, working part-time at Mostly Books, part-time teaching, and working on various projects as a private tertiary education consultant. She has held positions on a number of boards including Writers SA, and has been the President of the Friends of the Library of the University of Adelaide since 2022.
As well as her many different roles, Rachel is preparing her book for publication and is a mentor to several students each year. She intends to keep teaching, researching and writing for many years to come.
Rachel accepts an award on behalf of Friends of The Library at the University's 2024 Volunteer Awards.
Words of wisdom from a life-long learner
Rachel's years as a student, as well as her vast experience as a teacher, mentor and leader, have left her with valuable lessons. Our Alumni team asked her for a few of her best pieces of advice for current students and alumni early in their career.
"Don’t follow a certain path just because it seems to be the “right” one to choose. Forge your own path. Do what you want to do, not what you think you “should” do. Be adventurous, ask lots of questions and find a good role model/ mentor."
"Follow your instincts and don’t work somewhere that compromises your values. Remember that your voice is as valuable as anyone else’s."
"Don’t give up your hobbies, your passions or your dreams. One day, you will hopefully be able to combine all of interests with your work. You may not be able to do that to start with but keep all of the strands of your life going and one day they will knit together."
"If you have a dream to work in a particular area, tell people. Make it known what you want to do and where you want to go. No-one can help you get there if they don’t know what you want, but if your colleagues know, they will think of you when an opportunity arises."
"Be that student who turns up to events. Join professional organisations as a student member, write articles for professional publications, develop a reputation for expertise in the area/s that you love. Offer to deliver a seminar for your work colleagues. Join committees. If you go to a conference or event, don’t just talk to the people you know. Introduce yourself to at least one new person each time. After you meet someone at a networking event, connect with them on Linked-In."
"If someone introduces you to another person, email them to say thank you."