First Year Law Guide 2021 by Deakin Law Students' Society

First Year Law Guide 2021

A comprehensive guide to your first trimester of law school

Foreword

This publication is provided fee of charge from the Deakin Law Students' Society (DLSS) on the understanding that the editors, all contributors and any other persons related to this publication are not responsible for the actions of readers based on the information, error or omission in the publication. The views given in the publication do not necessarily represent the views of the editors, DLSS or Deakin Law School.

This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may, in any form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any person, without special written consent of the Deakin Law Students' Society.

Acknowledgments Design + Editor Sophie Lean Editor-in-Chief James Dance

President's Welcome Welcome to the beginning of your university studies for 2021 and congratulations on commencing your journey at the Deakin Law School. My name is Georgia Gilbert and I have the pleasure of being this year’s President of the Deakin Law Students’ Society (DLSS). The DLSS is the prime representative body for Deakin law students and our main function is to represent your interests and assist you to the best of our capacity in your journey through law school. While the start of your law degree will undoubtedly be a very exciting time, it usually represents a stressful transition from high school to university studies. The fact that your performance over the next 4-5 years impacts your future is a daunting prospect. The aim of this guide is to make this transition period as smooth as possible for all commencing students and to provide you with the resources and opportunities to grow your support network and begin your studies in the most informed way possible. After my time with the DLSS, I can say with confidence that the best way to get the most out of law school is to involve yourself in extracurricular activities. Whether you want to meet like-minded peers in a casual setting or learn more about what you can do to set yourself up for career success, the DLSS hosts a range of activities, events and initiatives to suit everyone’s needs. I’m sure we have something right for you, so please get involved! Please don’t hesitate to contact me at president@deakinlss.org if you have any queries. Good luck on your journey! I wish you all the best in your studies and beyond.

What is the DLSS? The Deakin Law Students' Society ('DLSS') is a student-run organisation operating on behalf of all Deakin law students. The DLSS is one of Deakin's longest-standing student societies and our goal is to assist law students to maximise their university experience. Each year, the DLSS host a variety of events, covering many areas including academic, career and your social life! You can find us online at www.deakinlss.org Membership A DLSS membership is $5 and we would love for you to join us! Here are some of the benefits you can expect: Discounted ticket prices for DLSS events An email subscription to the DLSS (where we advertise internships and paid positions within law firms) Access to revision sessions Voting rights at our annual general meeting Join here: https://dlssmembership.getqpay.com/

Portfolio Introductions President: Georgia Gilbert Vice-President: Sophie McIntyre Secretary: Conor Beveridge Director of Finance: Jack Leeds Director of Sponsorship: Claire Taylor MARKETING Marketing is responsible for handling the social media presence of the DLSS and promoting its events. Marketing provides content that is engaging for law students and connects them to the DLSS network. The portfolio also handles all DLSS merch including JUMPERS! Ensure you follow DLSS on Instagram and like us on Facebook to keep up-todate with the DLSS! Director: Jess Riordan Officers: W Georges Du Royaux, Kathryn Bourozikas & Anneliese Croker COMMUNICATIONS Communications is responsible for many of the publications the DLSS publishes, including the First Year Law Guide, Damages Incurred, Et Cetera, Alumni Chronicles, The Memo and Firm Spotlight. The portfolio also manages the DLSS website. There are opportunities for all students to contribute to Damages Incurred and Et Cetera, so contact us! Director: James Dance Officers: Patricia Clarke, Antonia Seriatos & Sophie Lean

COMMERCIAL CAREERS Commercial Careers provides information and opportunities for Deakin law students who are intending to pursue a career in commercial law, or who have an interest in commercial law. The portfolio organises panels and networking nights, and writes the annual Clerkship Guide and bi-monthly Commercial Awareness Newsletter. Keep your eye out for the portfolio's Firm Insight panels and its Meet the Professionals event. Director: Sam Ejtemai Officers: Samantha Hodgson & Will Hettick Clerkship Guide Officer: Jack Enticott

COMPETITIONS Competitions is one of the largest portfolios within the DLSS. It is responsible for running the competitions which allow students to practice legal and advocacy skills whilst receiving expert feedback. In 2021, the portfolio is running a combination of inperson and online events. Some key competitions for this year are Junior Moot, Client Interview and Senior Moot. There is also a First Year Negotiation event!

Director: Manisha Dahal Officers: Julia Fittipaldi, Chole Dijkmans, Molly Quinland & Amber Selvan

EDUCATION Education has three main pillars: academic and study support, wellbeing, and exam revision sessions. This year, the portfolio is focusing primarily on wellbeing. As first year law students, this would be a great place to pick up some healthy habits for years to come. Some upcoming Education events are the Legal Writing Workshop, Legal Research Workshop, the Attitude, Mindset and Belief Seminar and Wellbeing in Law. Director: Meg Reid Officers: Kejsi (KC) Hoxha, Courtney McKenzie & Julia Arrighi

INDUSTRY CAREERS This portfolio provides students with platforms that enable them to gain insight into what every-day legal practise is like in non-commercial areas of law such as criminal, family and personal injury. The portfolio also exposes students to alternative careers that utilise your law degree such as in government, consulting and in-house roles. The portfolio will soon run its Criminal and Family Law Panel, People's Choice Panel and An Evening with the Industry Professionals. Director: Despina Hrambanis Officers: Britney Phillips, Lucas Nicoll & Remzie Sherolli

SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUITY Created in 2018 to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of the DLSS, this portfolio aims to run a number of initiatives relating to topics that exist at the intersection of social justice and the law. Upcoming events for the portfolio include the Gender Diversity in Law Panel, the Pro Bono Practice Workshop and the LGBTQ+ Oration. Director: Daniel Barac Officers: Sachita Sood & Brigitte Fraser Queer Officer: Olivia Gatsios

ACTIVITIES The Activities portfolio runs informal social events throughout the year to provide students with opportunities to make friends and have a break from studying. The key events run by the portfolio are Bar Hop, First Year Law Camp, Law Ball and End of Exam Parties. Keep a look out for news on the End of Exam Parties and Law Ball. Director: Surina Sood Officers: Natasha Tasios, Ellie Hondrakis & PJ Wigney

Getting to Deakin Public Transport Downloading the PTV app answers all your PT woes. As a full-time student at Deakin, you are entitled to a concession Myki card which significantly reduces your PT costs. All you need to do is submit the relevant form which can be found on StudentConnect. Buses 201: Box Hill to Deakin University 281: Templestowe to Deakin University 732: Box Hill to Upper Ferntree Gully 767: Southland Shopping Centre to Box Hill Trams 75: City to Vermont Trains Box Hill Station (via Lilydale and Belgrave lines). Deakin runs a free bus from Box Hill Station to Deakin University. Parking You can pay as you go using the Cell-O-Park app. Through the app, parking will cost you $1.60 an hour, or $6.40 a day. There is plenty of parking available - but be ware of exam season! Parking inspectors monitor everything closely: forgetting to pay will cost you $99! Long-term parking is also available. A 120-day permit will cost you $162.50 and a 365 permit will cost $365.

Textbooks Whether or not you use textbooks will depend on a few things: how you learn best; if the textbook is recommended or prescribed; and, how the content is being taught. Overtime, as a law student, you'll figure out if buying textbooks is useful for you. In your first year, we recommend trying different study methods (including using textbooks) and learning from how effective or ineffective they were for you. Textbooks are available for purchase from Facebook Marketplace, StudentVIP, former students of the unit, the DUSA Bookstore and sites such as the Book Depository. The Deakin Library may also have copies that can be borrowed, there is a mix of hard copy and digital versions. Keep in mind that law changes surprisingly fast, so ensure that you're spending your money on textbooks relevant to your unit and in the most recent edition.

Tips for online learning 1. Make a schedule. This is our best advice. Online or not, schedules help bring structure and purpose to your day. They also help immensely with time management. 2. Attend your online classes. Ah, the classic 'I'll watch it later'. No, you won't. Trust us, we've all been there. You don't even have to turn the camera on, promise. 3. Have breaks. It's not fun staring at your laptop all day. Make sure to take regular short breaks: eat something, stetch those muscles, reply to all those red notifications. Also have longer breaks every so often to exercise, catch up with friends and do whatever else it is that first years do. 4. Change up your space! Have a break from your desk once or twice a day. You could sit outside, head to the library or a study space in one of the buildings. It helps to break up the day, like your classes normally would.

Assignment tips (yay!) Make a plan How long will it take? Do you have any other upcoming assignments or events that you will need to account for? If it's a group assignment, when should you meet and how will you ensure others do their part? Highlight and annotate Don't neglect the facts and simply skim over them! Highlight key areas, annotate how you think it might relate to the law and read over the details carefully. IRAC IRAC gives you a simple and easy structure to follow. Nearly all law units want you to use the IRAC method. Don't worry, this is something professors and tutors go over regularly and encourage. Reference as you go You'll soon know the pain of AGLC! Majority of law units use a more indepth referencing system nicknamed 'AGLC'. Lecturers are strict on compliance with AGLC and it's an easy way to get marks. Keeping a table or document of references will be almost as important as a double short espresso. Proofread Losing marks for grammar or spelling is so frustrating! Get a friend to read over your work or ensure you have a break from working on the assignment before you go back to proofread so you have 'fresh-eyes'.

Allens Social Sport

Exercise is a great way to stay active, make friends and give your brain a break! Allens is a commercial law firm that sponsors the Deakin Law Students' Society Netball Team. Students of all abilities are welcome to partake, the tournament runs on Monday nights and it is a mixed team. If you would like to join, head to our facebook page for more infromation.

Business and Law Mentors Mentors are a fantastic way to be inducted into law school and make it *slightly* less daunting. You're learning from students who have been in your exact position! The Faculty of Business and Law mentors can be a valuable resource. Mentors are current business and law students who are there to provide their first-hand experience, advice and suggestions on any queries you may have. You can sign up for the program here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/faculties/buslaw/student-support/mentorprogram

COVID-19 Deakin is currently running a hybrid of online and in-person classes. Ensure you are up-to-date with your timetable on STAR to know whether your classes are in person or online. Keeping safe on campus: Practice good hygiene and regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds Download the COVID Safe app and check in for contact tracing where necessary (QR codes are posted outside rooms) Maintain physical distancing (1.5m) Carry a face mask with you and wear one when you can't physical distance or if you're required to If you feel unwell, do not come onto campus For further information, please check https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/how-staysafe-and-well-covid-19 Also check the Deakin Life website for more COVIDSafe information Let's all do our best to keep safe and healthy in the hopes of a normal 2021!

Wellbeing The new Law School Building (Building LC) is now home to the wellness centre including a psychologist, a physiotherapist, DeakinACTIVE (the Uni gym), and offers vaccinations and medical certificates. You can visit them directly or make appointments under DeakinSync. Additionally, DeakinSync has a number of online services under the 'Health and Wellbeing' tab as well as general information. Uni can often become difficult and overwhelming. The most important thing to know is that you're not alone and that help is available. No matter what issues you're experiencing, there are many support systems available at Deakin to help you.

International and JD Students

Welcome and congratulations to our Juris Doctor students! We're excited for you to join the DLSS and can't wait to meet you at our events this year. The DLSS strives to provide experiences for both JD and LLB students, so everyone is welcome to attend and engage in our events. Accordingly, we do have a JD Representative on the DLSS. The DLSS want to extend a warm welcome to our international students. Moving away from home is a difficult experience especially given the current circumstances. We would highly encourage you to attend our events in order to build a social network and meet other students. Additionally, the International Student Support Centre provides great resources and can be found in Building C or at https://www.deakin.edu.au/international-students/living-in-australia/supportfor-international-students If there's anything the DLSS can do to further support international students or JD students, please don't hesitate to contact us.

What is corporate wear? For many first years, you probably haven't stepped into a law firm before. So what is corporate wear? Don't worry, we've all been there standing before the mirror asking 'is this right?' One thing about Deakin is the amount of opportunities you will have in workplaces, so it's important to know.

Smart Casual Smart casual is a style somewhere between formal and casual, where you can't wear jeans and a t-shirt but a suit isn't quite right either. Men can wear a button down shirt and jacket without a tie. Women can wear neat pants or mid-length skirts with a blouse. Colour, patterns and bolder jewellery can be worn. Shoes must be tasteful. Business Casual This style combines elements of corporate attire with more casual accessories. Men can wear a neat t-shirt or casual collared shirt combined with chinos, trousers or dark denim. Shoes can consist of loafers or dress shoes. Women can wear a tidy t-shirt jumper or blouse. This can be coupled with dark denim jeans or mid-length skirts. Footwear should be tasteful and workplace appropriate. Formal Wear This style is composed of formal clothing items which would be deemed appropriate for traditional and highly professional workplaces. Men are typically expected to wear a dark or natural coloured suit with a light coloured shirt, tie, belt and dress shoes. For women, corporate attire consists of a conservative suit, a light coloured shirt or blouse, knee-length skirt or pants and closed toe dress shoes.

Admission to Practise

Many people assume that doing a LLB or a JD automatically makes you a lawyer. This is not the case. In order to work as a legal practitioner in Victoria you need to gain admission to the Supreme Court Roll in a three step process: Complete your LLB or JD You must gain a relevant qualification for the law, either a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor in Law (JD). Within this qualification, you will complete the 'Priestly 11', which is a standardised array of law units. Deakin ensures these are included in your course plan. Complete your PLT Once you have attained a qualification in the law, you have to complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT). This may either be completed through a traineeship with a firm, or through a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. This training will ensure you are equipped with the skills to complete legal work on behalf of clients. Gain admission

Finally, you need to apply to be admitted to practice by the Legal Services Board. This requires you to provide evidence that you are a 'fit and proper person'. To illustrate this, you must disclose every legal discretion you have ever committed (even parking tickets!). Once your application is accepted, you are officially able to practise law.

Law School Tricks of the Trade Do your readings. Failure to prepare is preparation for failure. Read, and understand, the prescribed material and you'll be giving yourself the best chance at success. Don't skip seminars. Attending seminars will help you understand the practical application of the content you're learning, which ultimately is what is assessed. Stay ahead. Or, at least don't fall behind. Make a rule with yourself to always finish your reading before your seminar. Stay consistent throughout the entirety of the trimester and you'll be in good stead come exams! Take pride in your notes. Nobody likes re-reading textbooks through the last weeks of the trimester. Save yourself the hassle by constructing clear, concise and consistent notes. Study with other law students. Law often involves complex interpretation of facts and problem-solving. Gain some clarity by discussing cases with fellow law students.

Step away from the books. As much as we all love studying law, you should schedule in time to do other things. Try playing a sport, learning an instrument or acquiring a new skill. In other words, stop studying (momentarily, that is). Get some 'real' experience. Whilst your grades are important, acquiring some practical work experience is essential for your CV. Volunteering, paralegal work or an unrelated part-time job are all looked upon favourably. Don't sacrifice sleep. Law students often choose caffeine-fuelled study sessions over sleep. Try and resist the temptation. Sleep is your friend. Compete. Enter legal competitions to consolidate knowledge, meet new people and practice public speaking. For many, competing ignites passion for a particular area of law. Be informed. Subscribe to Et Cetera, our bi-annual magazine, which will update you on all things law.

Please don't ever hesitate to contact the DLSS if you think there's a way we can support you! We hope this guide will help you in your first trimester and we'll be seeing you at other DLSS events in the future.