Anjan Paudel on becoming the NT’s first Nepalese lawyer
In becoming the first Nepalese-Australian lawyer in the Northern Territory, Anjan Paudel has not only changed the trajectory of his family’s future, but proven to his compatriots that humble beginnings is no limitation.
In becoming the first Nepalese-Australian lawyer in the Northern Territory, Anjan Paudel has not only changed the trajectory of his family’s future, but proven to his compatriots that humble beginnings is no limitation.
Born and raised seven hours from Kathmandu, Anjan’s journey to where he is now has not been without considerable sacrifice.
His years of hard work certainly paid off on Tuesday morning, when the 30-year-old was formally admitted to practice law in the NT.
“It was difficult because law was not my background,” he said.
“Most students in Australia or Darwin get to choose legal studies in high school which we couldn’t.
“And it’s a completely different legal landscape (in Australia) so it was difficult at times.”
Making Anjan’s accomplishment even more impressive is that he completed the challenging degree in English - his second language.
“My English wasn’t that great (when I arrived),” he said.
“I was really lucky, when I was back in Nepal I went to a boarding school which many people don’t necessarily have an opportunity to go to, so I thank my family for that.”
Like his compatriots, it took significant funds and administrative hurdles just to set foot in Australia - let alone stick it out.
For Anjan, he dreamed of “better education and better opportunities”.
“I still remember in 2015 when I first landed in Darwin, (there was) approximately 400-500 Nepalese at the time,” he said.
“If we see the current statistics it’s more than 7000.
“You wanted to be with someone but it was really hard to (see) family or friends.”
Originally studying accounting, Anjan swapped courses following a change of heart.
“I couldn’t continue accounting because it wasn’t exciting me to be honest,” he said.
“And then I thought ‘okay, what’s next?’”
Seeking a “challenge”, he settled on law and committed the next four years to diligent study.
Now, with his Certificate of Admission in-hand, Anjan said the occasion was a “great achievement for the Nepalese community”.
“Humans often self doubt, especially for people like me coming from a multicultural background,” he said.
“People always tend to think that there are limits and we better not cross that - and that’s completely wrong.”
Anjan said he encouraged other Nepalese to be courageous and take the opportunities on offer.
“I think Australia provides that,” he said.
“And I’m always thankful to Darwin, Northern Territory, because it gave me experiences, it gave me lessons that I learned from and here I am today.”
Supporting him was a large group of loved ones - including his wife who he met in Darwin.
Also in his corner is legal firm HWL Ebsworth.
“I’m always thankful (to them) because I started there as an admin assistant,” he said.
“Then I transitioned to law clerk, now graduate and they have been nurturing me very well and I can’t thank them enough.”
Asked what his message was to other Territorians, Anjan smiled.
“Never doubt yourself,” he said.
“You know, Darwin, and particularly Australia as a country has provided lots of opportunity to everyone who came here as an international student.
“We add to this existing multicultural society, there are many opportunities ahead - law was one and I think I grabbed that properly.”
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Originally published as Anjan Paudel on becoming the NT’s first Nepalese lawyer
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