By Oscar Davison

Once bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, QUT Law Student Cole Goodsman (Formerly known as Forrest Goodsman) has been embroiled in a recent ethics scandal.

Cole started Law with me at QUT in 2018 with big dreams to change the world. Cole received High Distinctions in LLB140: Human Rights Law and LLB141: Introduction to International Law. He was a regular at local climate change protests and even got his mum to vote for Greens at the last election.

But Cole’s been a bit different recently. I saw him in the law library the other day, and I hardly recognised him. His long hair was gone. Instead of a relaxed T-shirt, he was wearing a Ralph Lauren Polo. My heart sank as I feared the worst… and that’s when I saw it. R.M. Williams Boots. I knew what had happened.

“Hi, Forres-“

“It’s Cole now” He cut me off.

“Sorry, Hi Cole. I hardly recognised you! How have you been? International Law is due tomorrow; how have you found the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan? Wild stuff, hey?” I queried.

“Yeah, haha… I wouldn’t know. I dropped out,” Cole replied, his tone letting me know he was hiding something. “I’ve been super busy at work and dropped the unit.”

I began putting the pieces together in my head but needed to pry further. I was hoping that my fears weren’t true. “Work? I didn’t know you’d got a job, mate! Well done. Did you get that EDO job you were gunning for?”

“Nah, Nah…” Cole paused. “I got a Legal Assistant job at Hatewood & Coalbarron. I’m really enjoying it, and the pay is great!” He smiled.

My heart shattered. Yet another law student corrupted by the paycheck of a top tier commercial firm. This is the tale of many law students across the world. They start their degrees with big dreams of fighting the man and standing up for what’s right, only to be squashed by the cost of living and a fat payslip.

“It’s okay!” He continued. “Once I establish myself, get some money. Then, I’ll go back to Environmental Law. Take on the big guys!”

But I knew it was too late. Of course, that’s what they all say…

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