www.guls.org
2021 Graduate Guide Griffith University Law Society
Table of Contents Introduction 2
Career Tips: Linked In
4
Our Sponsors
5
Acknowledgements
6
Who is GULS?
7
President's Welcome
8
Editor's Welcome
PLT Information
Further Opportunities 26
Community Legal Centres
Contact GULS
9
QLS Dates
27
Contact Details
10
Steps to becoming a Lawyer
28
Thank You
11
What is PLT?
12
L-CARD & Podcast
Providers 19
College of Law
21
Leo Cussen
23
QUT PLT
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Our Sponsors
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We especially like to thank all involved in the production of the Graduate Guide.
Editor Chloe Campbell (Director of Careers) Contributors Elly Thomas (President) Contact Details Griffith University Law Society Located at N61 -2.07 170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111
Who is GULS? Griffith University Law Society ("GULS") is our volunteer student association for Law Students at our Nathan campus. We strive to enrich your experience as a student through support mechanisms at an academic, social and professional level.
See our QR Code below for all relevant information regarding upcoming events, information, merchandise, guides and competitions.
"Working to support law students in all aspects of their academic, personal and professional development through creativity, inclusiveness and integrity"
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President's Address Elly Thomas
A law degree at Griffith University is the corner stone to the rest of your legal career, and beyond law school, there are endless opportunities available to you.
Regardless of where your law degree takes you, in order to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Queensland, you need to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice. Griffith University Law Society (GULS) is proud to provide a variety of PLT provider seminars at your fingertips to help you make the best decision for your success.
Further to this, GULS proudly provides seminars throughout the year to set you up for the future of your legal career, and our sponsors generously provide their industry knowledge and insights for all Griffith law students.
If you would really like to make the most out of your law degree at Griffith University, join the GULS community today, by becoming a member of GULS, use the QR code below. For more events GULS provide, check out our Facebook page.
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Editor's Welcome Chloe Campbell
Hi All! My name is Chloe Campbell, and I am your Careers Director from GULS for 2021. First of all, congratulations to those who are looking to graduate this trimester! All your hard work has finally paid off and you should be proud of all you have achieved to-date. I understand how it feels coming to the pointy end of your degree and I am sure you are looking for some guidance as you embark on your future career.
Publication of this guide aims to provide direction in facilitating you through the process after graduation. I am sure a range of students have never heard of the word ‘PLT’, nor know it is a requirement to practice law in Queensland! Hence, GULS is here to help you. Throughout your future, I hope you give every opportunity a chance and I encourage you to make applications with an open mind. If there is anything I can take away from previous students, it is key that professional work is entirely different to undertaking subjects at University. In saying this, even though you may have completely despised a certain subject, I encourage you to still give these areas a chance in your career. Additionally, there is also a wealth of resources across the Law School and University from professional mentors to workshop sessions if you need further information.
Without a doubt I am sure you all have the access to a successful career, and I wish you all the best in achieving your dreams!
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QLS Dates
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Monday 16th of August
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
Friday 27th of August
OFFERS MADE OFFERS TO BE ACCEPTED/DECLINED
Thursday 30th of September Friday 1st of October
Generally, firms offering Graduate positions align with the above dates.
Ensure to individually check the firm you are interest in.
For more information visit the QLS Website here.
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Becoming a lawyer... Completion of Law Degree
STEP
1
Congratulations, you have graduated! What now??
STEP
2
Additional Legal Training
PLT - Continue Reading!!
Admission as a Solicitor
STEP
3
Become admitted to the Roll of Lawyers by the Supreme Court.
STEP
4
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Practicing Certificates
Certificates are required to be issued by QLS.
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What is PLT?
If you desire to practice as a Solicitor in Australia, you must complete Practical Legal Training ('PLT') in addition to your Law Degree. In particular, Queensland requires completion of a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (‘GDLP’). Such a program is designed to equip individuals with the skills of ethics, legal writing, drafting of documents, advocacy and interview skills. PLT is offered by a range of institutions discussed throughout this guide, though each course usually comprises of work experience and formal coursework.
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As an up-coming law graduate, you may be asking of the next step, or wondering what PLT really means? In some cases, by seeking approval, you may be able to commence PLT prior to complete of your degree, however only in certain circumstances. Ultimately, PLT is known as the final component before becoming a practicing lawyer! For more information see the QLS website. 11
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY
PLT PROVIDERS 2021
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Practical Legal Training The College of Law offers the largest range of flexible Practical Legal Training (PLT) programs, all purposedriven to put your hard-earned degree seamlessly into practice. With more study freedom, lecturer support and practical task-based, hands-on learning, you’ll enter the profession with a profile that is more attractive to employers.
Study online or on campus There’s no one size fits all. The College of Law provides you with a range of study choices. You can choose to study entirely online. Or you can opt for a blended experience incorporating both online and face-to-face learning.
And with programs offered in Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Toowoomba, the choice of where to complete your PLT is yours.
Fit study into your life Unlike university, you don’t have to wait until the usual semester intake to start your PLT. You can choose from more than 30 programs throughout the year without needing to wait.
Choose your hours Full-time and part-time study options allows you to set your own pace. Full-time allows you to complete the course faster. Part-time study provides the option to complete your degree at a pace that leaves more time for work or other commitments.
Contact Details Student Services T: 1300 856 111 E: enrolments@collaw. edu.au Location The College of Law Level 5, Wesley House 140 Ann Street Brisbane QLD 4000
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Learn from those with boots on the ground All our lecturers are successful, practising lawyers. So, you can expect the most relevant examples and up-todate knowledge on contemporary issues facing legal practitioners. What better way prepare yourself for the real world?
We’re graduates’ PLT provider of choice More students choose to study their PLT with The College of Law than any other provider. More than 3,000 students each year trust us to prepare them for admission and the transition into the workplace.
A real-world approach to assessments Rather than exams, your assessments will mirror the learning curve you’ll face when you enter the workforce.
You’ll learn via a mentor-mentee process, submitting tasks and regular feedback. It’s the smartest way to get you truly ‘practice-ready’
Your success – is our success Your time with us is short. So we support you as much as possible during that time to help you succeed the moment you enter the workforce. Your lecturer will be on-hand to guide you throughout the program, offer regular advice and feedback, and keep your learning on track.
Our Career Advisors can provide you with personalised advice and can help with everything from résumé review to interview prep, and help you to land your next job.
Key Dates 15 November: Fulltime 29 November: Fulltime & Part-time 6 December: Fulltime Visit collaw.edu.au/PLT to view 2022 program dates.
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Meet our Graduate ‘As I was already lucky enough to be in the workforce and applying my commercial / legal skills on a day-to-day basis, it was important for me to find a PLT provider that worked with me and my circumstances, rather than the other way around.
With The College of Law, I was able to perform all the coursework online and negotiate my due dates (where necessary), to ensure I was still able to manage my work commitments. Following the impacts of COVID-19, it’s quite clear that the environment in which people work, study and play is no longer limited to standard ‘9 -5’ office hours, and the College has really recognised this in the options they provide to students.
The coursework reflected real-life scenarios, enabling me to gain greater insights into other areas of the law that I hadn’t been exposed to. The lecturers across each unit always made themselves available, addressed the questions I had and were real specialists in their lines of work, which meant that the feedback I received was both timely and current to the law in today’s society.’
Paula Dolelzal, Senior Consultant, PwC Graduate of the Practical Legal Training Program
How to Apply You can apply via our online application form that will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Simply visit collaw.edu.au/PLT More information Visit collaw.edu.au/PLT or contact us on 1300 856 111 or enrolments@collaw.e du.au
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QUT has the real world Practical Legal Training (PLT) you need for admission to the legal profession. Our course provides you with:
Real–world experience: In our PLT you’ll complete the types of tasks that real-life lawyers do. You’ll build a portfolio of real-world knowhow and skills, including interviewing and negotiating, drafting legal documents and executing property, litigation, and commercial transactions and proceedings.
Firm connections: QUT has established connections with over 350 placement providers. This means you’ll get the experience and the connections you need.
Four-week placements: Gain hands-on experience with a placement in a law office that we can source for you. Some of our students secure full time work from the connections made during these placements. If you are already working in a law office, you may be eligible to claim credit for your real-life legal work.
Flexible study: We have four intakes per year – in January, March, July and August. Choose to study full time on campus, or full time or part time off campus (external). Each intake has a compulsory five-day attendance school on campus.
Contact details T: 07 3138 2000 E:pltsupport@qut.edu. au W:www.qut.edu.au/la w-plt Location QUT Gardens Point Campus 2 George Street, Brisbane City QLD 400
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GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY
FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES 2021
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Community Legalclc.volunteers.net.au Centres NAME
Basic Rights Queensland Inc
LOCATION
Fortitude Valley
MORE INFO
https://brq.org.au/
NAME
Environmental Defenders Office (QLD) Inc
LOCATION
West End
MORE INFO
www.edo.org.au
NAME LOCATION MORE INFO
NAME
LGBTI Legal Service
Fortitude Valley https://lgbtilegalservice.org
LOCATION
Refugee and Immigration Legal Service Inc (RAILS)
West End
MORE INFO
www.rails.org.au
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GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY LAW SOCIETY N61 -0.27 Griffith Law Building 170 Kessels Road Nathan QLD 4111
www.guls.org
https://www.instagram.com/griffithuniversitylawsociety
https://www.facebook.com/GriffithUniversityLS
https://www.linkedin.com/company/griffith-university-law-society GULS | GRADUATE GUIDE 2021
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Thank You The 2021 GULS Graduate Guide would not have been possible without the support of its sponsors, contributors and dedicated team.
We would like to thank all those involved in the creation of this publication and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
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