THE PORFOLIOS

THE PORTFOLIOS: MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS

The QUTLS Media and Communications portfolio is behind all of the publications and social media that you engage with, just like this Guide! We would like to officially warmly welcome you to Law School, and to the QUTLS! This section of the Guide will introduce you to the different activities of all the portfolios, and how you can get involved from day dot.

So, you want to know more about getting involved? In the pages below, you will read about what social events are fast-approaching, what educational events you can attend and network at, what competitions you can channel your inner Elle Woods or Harvey Spectre in, how you can sing and dance your heart out on stage, and what sports you can throw yourself into.

But there’s something missing. You want more.

Look no further, because the Media and Communications team not only keeps you connected and up-to-date on the happenings of all other areas of the QUTLS, but gives you the chance to be published!

As a QUTLS member, you can sign up to our newsletter that will deliver career opportunities, upcoming social, educational and sports events, and study motivation and hacks (especially around exam time)!

We also have our various social media channels provided at the end of this Guide, so make sure you follow all of those!

The publications that you can submit work to are:

THE QUTLS STUDENT MAGAZINE THE GAVEL

The Gavel is the biannual QUTLS student publication that gives a voice to our members! The issues are themed to give you a prompt, but if you have an article that you are burning to write, we accept work from outside the theme, as long as it is relevant to law students. Submitting to The Gavel also earns you 10% all of our merchandise! Have a read of our previous issues to see what content we have published in the past.

CORPUS JURIS

NON - FICTION & ESSAYS | FICTION | POETRY | BOOK REVIEWS Corpus Juris is the QUTLS’ very own showcase of the legal scholarship that QUT Law students produce. This is the place to send all your critical essays and other legal research and analysis to, whether they be from previous assignments, or because your idea of a lit Friday night involves being elbows deep in the law reports and AGLC4, writing about criminal law reform. Corpus Juris will also be publishing the best essays submitted to the Essay Competition. Submissions will be open all year round and close towards the end of the year! Keep an eye on social media for announcements.

Submissions for The Gavel and Corpus Juris can be submitted to director.mediacommunication@qutlawsociety.com.

QUTLS PUBLICATIONS

THE PORTFOLIOS: EVENTS

While a big part of law school is hitting the books and making industry connections, the QUTLS also believes in the importance of letting your hair down and celebrating the trials and tribulations of uni life with your friends!

We organise social events throughout the year purely for students to enjoy themselves surrounded by friends and fellow law school survivors.

You don’t need to have a big group of law friends to attend - our social events are a great way to expand your social networks and a lot of them are even open to people from other courses, unis or pathways!

The only kicker is that most of our events are strictly 18+ due to the responsible service of alcohol regulations at a lot of our venues. But don’t fret if you are on the younger side; we still offer opportunities to mingle and there are plenty of other general events from other portfolios to get involved with the QUTLS.

Our major events throughout the year include:

PUB CRAWL

LAW BALL - probably our biggest event of the year! Get glammed up with all your pals; eat, drink and dance the night away… LAW DINNER

END OF SEMESTER DRINKS - infamously known as #letsgetrekt MONTHLY CATCH-UPS

Keep an eye on our socials throughout the year for these events, and we can’t wait to see you all and share a boogie throughout the year!

THE PORTFOLIOS: EDUCATION

The QUTLS Education portfolio is your one-stop-shop for all things career, networking and professional development. Our main job is to connect you with professionals in the legal industry to help you learn about different areas of the law, to give you accessible opportunities for networking, and to help you develop your professional brand. We also run the Mentorship Program to ensure our new first years feel welcome and supported!

LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE LAW

In 2021, we will be hosting a number of Q&A panels which focus on specific areas of the law. These include ‘Now In Session: an introduction to careers in the court’ in March, the ‘Criminal Law Information Evening’ in April and ‘Technology, AI and Innovation in Law’ in September. At each of these events you will have the opportunity to hear from professionals about why their area of the law is an important space to keep an eye on, what their job entails and how to pursue a career in that field. We will also be hosting the catch-all event ‘Alternative Legal Careers’ in August where you can hear from professionals working in a variety of other industries like government, consulting, accounting and more!

NETWORK WITH PROFESSIONALS

After each of our Q&A panels you will have the opportunity to speak directly with our guests, which will give you an opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have and will help increase your confidence with professional networking. We particularly recommend coming along to networking events early in your degree so you feel confident by the time you reach clerkship or job interviews! In addition to the Q&A panels, we will also be hosting our flagship networking event ‘Meet the Profession’ in July where you can get valuable insight about the everyday realities of working in certain areas of the law, and about the workplace culture of different firms. These are opportunities that are otherwise hard-to-come-by, so we recommend keeping an eye out for tickets before they sell out!

It is really important to build your professional brand as a law student, so get your LinkedIn profiles up and running and practise networking as soon as you can! We will also help you out by inviting human resource representatives and lawyers to give you advice about writing resumes, interviewing and pursuing undergraduate and graduate careers at our event in August called ‘Getting Your Foot in the Door’.

MENTORSHIP

Last but certainly not least, we run the Mentorship Program which includes our ‘Buddy Program’. If you sign up for a buddy, you will be matched with a more advanced law student who can answer your questions about law school and university generally, can tell you where to find the best coffee on campus and who can provide an important avenue of support as you navigate the transition to tertiary education. We are profoundly aware of how isolated students have felt through the COVID-19 pandemic, so to counteract this will be making the Mentor Program bigger and better than ever in 2021!

If you ever have thoughts about what you want to see from your Education team, don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can make our events as helpful as possible!

THE PORTFOLIOS: MOOT CLUB

MOOT Noun (law); a mock judicial proceeding set up to examine a hypothetical case as an academic exercise.

Moots are mock court cases based on a set of facts that give rise to a host of legal issues. Mooting is used largely in law schools as a practical exercise to develop and refine a student’s legal research and submission writing skills, as well as oral advocacy and communication abilities. Other transferable skills include teamwork, organisational, creative problem-solving, and time management skills.

WHAT IS MOOT CLUB?

The QUTLS Moot Club is dedicated to helping students practice their advocacy skills in a friendly and relaxed environment. The Moot Club is a non-competitive environment where law students of any experience level can learn the ins and outs of mooting, get feedback and develop new skills. If you are a first year, it is the perfect place to meet new people, gain confidence and practice skills which are very important in law school and in practice.

WHAT’S INVOLVED?

The Moot Club is held approximately 6 times a year in the Moot Courts in the Law Library on weekday evenings and includes a dinner afterwards. You don’t need any mooting experience and you can register as a team or as an individual (and we will match you with someone). We send you the moot problem a few weeks prior with some tips about how you can prepare submissions. On the night, moot judges will be present to give invaluable feedback. Each club session will end with a seminar from an experienced mooter. The dates and details of these Moot Clubs will be published on our Facebook page, QUTLS Moot Club.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Welcome to Moot Club Night

In order to find out more about mooting, how it can help you throughout your degree and make friends, come along to the Welcome to Moot Club Night, on March 9 at 5:45pm in P419. There will be a keynote speech and guest speakers including solicitors and seasoned student mooters.

How to Moot Workshop

Mooting can seem daunting but come along in the first week of semester to the moot workshop to learn the basics! There will be a presentation from student mooters about the basics of mooting, some tips and tricks and what opportunities are available to test out your new skills. There will be a Q&A afterwards, so come along and find yourself a moot partner.

Moot Dinner

The Moot Dinner is held at the end of the year and is a night to remember, filled with food and drinks, speeches, and a celebration of the mooting accomplishments of the year. It is a great opportunity to network with legal professionals, academics and fellow students with an interest in mooting. This will be a ticketed event and a great opportunity to relax and celebrate the hard work you put in this year!

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

To stay up-to-date on Moot Club activities, you can like our Facebook page, QUTLS Moot Club. If you have any questions, you can contact Vwanganji Sichone, the Director of Moot Club at director.mootclub@qutlawsociety.com

THE PORTFOLIOS: INTERNAL COMPETITIONS

The QUTLS Competitions portfolio creates engaging opportunities for students of all experience levels to develop their legal research and advocacy skills, make connections, and explore potential career paths.

The competitions are tailored in such a way that students can put into practice the theoretical knowledge gathered during university in a real-world context. The competitions are judged by industry professionals and senior students who give you on-the-spot invaluable feedback and advice – a law student’s most precious commodity!

Competition winners and runners-up may also be invited to represent the QUTLS at a state or national level, providing further opportunities to enhance your skills and grow your networks.

Registration for competitions opens about one month before the competition begins, so keep an eye on the QUTLS Facebook page for announcements and check out the website for updates and registrations.

SEMESTER 1

• Negotiation • First Year Moot • Championship Moot • Video Advocacy SEMESTER 2

• Junior Moot • Client Interview • Witness Examination • Essay Competition

ADVICE FROM THE PORTFOLIO

Engaging in competitions in your first year is a great way to maximise your potential and growth. Particularly in your first year, it is a great way to meet new people, make friends and fast track your learning. The skills and experiences you have in the QUTLS competitions can expose you to a variety of more prestigious competitions in the future.

NEGOTIATION - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS The Negotiation is one of our most popular competitions, in which teams of two face off as ‘solicitors’ advocating for their respective fake clients. The purpose of the Negotiation is to represent your client’s interests while coming to a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties. Students love this competition as minimal preparation is required.

FIRST YEAR MOOT - OPEN TO FIRST YEAR STUDENTS ONLY The First Year moot focuses on what you will learn in Torts (as well as some extra topics to test your research skills). Previous participants rate the First Year Moot as the most beneficial and valuable competition in the entire portfolio. As well as challenging yourself, you’ll likely forge friendships that last well after you graduate (even if you find yourselves on opposite sides of the case). In 2021, the winning team will face off with UQ’s First Year Moot winners.

CHAMPIONSHIP MOOT - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS EXCEPT THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRST YEAR MOOT The Championship Moot is the premier event for mooters, judges and spectators. Competitors will be provided with a complex commercial litigation problem, testing their academic rigor and oral advocacy skills. While it is our most challenging moot, it is open to students of all levels and is a great opportunity to develop your skills.

VIDEO ADVOCACY - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS Advocacy skills are vital to a successful legal career, even if the Bar is not calling your name. This competition requires competitors to create a short video advocating a position upon a topic provided. The Video Advocacy competition is designed to test students' ability to be creative, persuasive and connect with their audience in a lower-stakes scenario, compared to traditional adversarial mooting.

JUNIOR MOOT - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT YET COMPETED NATIONALLY Don’t let the name confuse you, the Junior Moot is for students at all levels, so long as they have not won the competition or competed at a national level. With the problem usually simpler than the championship moot but still challenging, it is a wonderful opportunity for first time mooters or for experienced mooters to further develop their skills.

CLIENT INTERVIEW - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS Students are exposed to a scenario and are required to interview a client to identify the complete facts behind their personal experience and propose possible solutions specific to the legal problem at hand. It is a great chance for students to build essential communication, listening, body language, asking appropriate questions and more skills required to engage with individuals in the real world.

WITNESS EXAMINATION - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS Fondly nicknamed the WitEx competition, this competition entails the examination and cross-examination of a witness giving oral evidence. Unlike traditional moots, this competition is conducted individually.

ESSAY COMPETITION - OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS Much like the video advocacy competition, this is an opportunity for students to practice advocacy skills outside of the traditional courtroom setting. The task is simple, to write a persuasive essay on a legal topic released before the deadline. The essay competition is a fun way to test your written communication and advocacy skills outside of the classroom.

Keep an eye out for the Competitions Bench Book in O-Week, which will provide a step-by-step guide to competing in all of the QUTLS’ competitions. Check out our website for more information on each competition.

Have questions or just want more information? We’re always down for a chat! Email us at internalcompetitions.officer@qutlawsociety.com or visit us in the QUTLS Office in C Block.

THE PORTFOLIOS: EXTERNAL COMPETITIONS

External Competitions at QUT are a fantastic way to have fun while also further developing your legal skills and connections. External competitions are an opportunity to represent QUT against other universities both nationally and internationally. There are certainly competitions available to both the novice and experienced competitor, and many students who have participated in internal competitions previously chose to try their hand at externals!

There are so many reasons to get involved in external competitions, especially as a first year! The nature of external competitions is that you will always get to make connections with students from other universities as well as academics and industry professionals. Often these competitions involve travel as well. You will be exposed to many different areas of law and gain an insight into practical legal tasks such as research, advocacy and many others.

There are a range of different competitions on offer throughout the year and each will help you to improve the suite of legal skills taught throughout your degree. Certain forms require more preparation than others and have very different structures. For a breakdown of legal competitions as well as more information refer to the QUT Competitions Benchbook.

Some of the large intervarsity competitions held yearly include the Australia Law Students Association (ALSA) Competition and the Queensland Intervarsity Law Competition (QILC). We also source other competitions around Australia and internationally that call for entrants or submissions. Keep an eye on social media for those announcements!

WHAT IS ALSA?

ALSA coordinates several prestigious national competitions each year. The winners of QUTLS internal competitions are often chosen to represent QUT and compete against similarly skilled students from across the country. However, this is not always the case and budding competitors are also welcome to participate. The QUTLS has previously entered teams into the Championship Moot, Negotiation, Client Interview and Witness Examination competitions run by ALSA.

WHAT IS QILC?

QILC is a great opportunity for budding advocates in Queensland to further develop their legal skills across a range of areas. It is well suited to beginner and experienced competitors and also requires volunteers. There are four competition streams: mooting, negotiation, client interview and witness examination. The competition is a week-long event including many networking and social opportunities with other participating universities (all law schools in Queensland are invited to participate). The grand finals are often hosted in the Supreme Courts and spectators are always encouraged!

There will also be lots of competitions that come up throughout the year which QUT are invited to, so be sure to keep an eye on our socials! The QUT x UQ Grudge Moot is also a highly anticipated external competition which runs yearly. The winners of the QUT First Year Moot will compete against the winner of the UQ First Year Moot and face off in the ultimate showdown. It is a very fun and friendly competition if you would like to get involved and show your support for QUT.

If diving head-first into a mooting competition seems a bit daunting, you can always volunteer or even just come along as a spectator and support QUT! If you have any further questions about external competitions at QUT feel free to get in touch via director.externalcompetitions@qutlawsociety.com.

THE PORTFOLIOS: CREATIVITY

The Creativity Portfolio aims to provide QUTLS members with an outlet to entertain and be entertained. We have a number of ways you can get involved!

LAW REVUE

The QUT Law Society Law Revue is an annual comedic stage show written and performed by current law students. University Revues have a longstanding tradition within legal and medical schools the world over, serving as a creative centrepiece and outlet for students. The 2022 Law Revue will feature a loosely-related series of sketches, songs and videos, providing a satirical take on TV, movies, news, current affairs and politics, in addition to lampooning university life and the legal profession as a whole.

So, if you’re an aspiring actor, singer, musician or dancer: come along to this year’s auditions. If you’re a would-be writer, videographer or choreographer and are looking to showcase your talents: show us what you’ve got. If you’re keen to get involved but don’t fall under any of the aforementioned roles: we’d still love to have you on board as part of the crew.

GEORGE STREET JOURNAL

The QUTLS also has a satirical news site that keeps you up to date on all things law school in the 21st century. It is open to student submissions, so if you love The Betoota Advocate and similar publications, you need to make sure you are following the George Street Journal!

The George Street Journal @thegeorgestreetjournal

GEORGE STREET JOURNAL

If you have a penchant for all things satire, please send submissions to director.creativity@qutlawsociety.com.

If you’ve got any questions feel free to email us via: lawrevue@qutlawsociety.com or director.creativity@qutlawsociety.com.

THE PORTFOLIOS: DIVERSITY, CULTURE & WELLBEING

QUTLS’ Diversity, Culture and Wellbeing portfolio is committed to giving each law student at QUT an equal and fair opportunity to succeed, whilst celebrating our differences and seeking to understand them. We are aspiring to create a positive difference in the wellbeing of law students, whilst celebrating our diverse cultures and backgrounds. The aim for our portfolio is to improve inclusivity within the Law School while drawing attention to gaps within the Law Society, university and wider legal community.

WHAT DOES 2022 HAVE IN STORE?

Our focus for 2022 is expanding on our pre-existing initiatives. We will be further addressing and raising awareness around financial equity, disability support, culture and diversity, issues faced by LGBTIQA+ students, external students, international students and First Nations peoples.

The QUT Law Society is committing to expanding upon our young portfolio with the addition of new officers. These new roles will help us better represent all law students and bridge gaps within the legal industry. We hope that these new officers will offer fresh insight and strengthen collaboration across the entire Law Society.

This year the Diversity, Culture and Wellbeing Portfolio are hosting four major events which will include the: Women in Law Breakfast, First Nations Breakfast, LGBTIQA+ and the Law Forum, and the Domestic Violence Awareness Breakfast. All of these events pose great opportunities for you to connect with local firms whilst showing your solidarity with the members of these communities.

WOMEN IN LAW BREAKFAST

The Women in Law Breakfast celebrates the incredible achievements of women within the legal profession. With over 60% of our graduates being female this is an excellent opportunity to show your enthusiasm for equality within the profession. With a history of influential speakers and high attendance rates from fellow students and professionals, the Women in Law Breakfast is one not to be missed.

FIRST NATIONS BREAKFAST

The First Nations Breakfast is a step in the ongoing journey of Reconciliation between First Nations people and non-indigenous Australians. The Breakfast provides a platform for First Nations students and professionals to voice their opinions and highlight the need for equal access to opportunities and education, and the importance of continued Reconciliation across Australia. This significant event is a brilliant opportunity to share your appreciation for one of the world’s oldest cultures and show your commitment to both Reconciliation and equal opportunities for First Nations Law students.

OTHER EVENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Don’t miss out on the First Year Social, the LGBTIQA+ and the Law Forum event, the Domestic Violence Awareness Breakfast, the external students lunch, the Law Ball, Meet the Profession, Welcome to Moot Club and the First Year Moot. These are all great events to get you started within the Law Society.

The Diversity, Culture and Wellbeing portfolio also bring to life national and international awareness-raising events such as RUOk Day and the International Day of People With Disabilities. More information on those will be released throughout the year.

If you have any questions about our portfolio or just want more information, we are always available for a conversation! Email us at director.dcw@qutlawsociety.com or visit us in the QUTLS Office in C Block. HOT TIP: KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE QUTLS DIVERSITY, CULTURE AND WELLBEING PORTFOLIO.

THE PORTFOLIOS: SPORT & HEALTH

The Sport and Health Portfolio is an integral part of the support network provided by the QUTLS for students throughout their law degree. We aim to create a culture of wellbeing and positivity and to promote healthy habits among law students. The initiatives in this portfolio are key in strengthening the sense of community that QUT Law students experience.

Facilitating wellbeing remains a vital feature of the legal industry, with lawyers and law students experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Our Sport and Health program aims to help students manage both their mental and physical health. By providing opportunities for students to get active and become involved in various sports and activities, students can network amongst their peers, make new friendships, promote healthy habits and lead a healthy lifestyle.

The QUTLS Sport Program is an important part of the members’ co-curricular involvement during their law degree. Our vision in 2021 is for our sporting initiatives to help build a stronger, more connected, QUT law student community; and for this community to engage in further health-orientated opportunities offered by the legal profession and society at large.

FIRST YEAR PING PONG SOCIAL TOURNAMENT

This year will see the addition of a ‘ping pong battle blitz’ held between first year students and staff of the QUT Law Faculty. The event will provide students with an opportunity to socialise with staff common to the first year units while mingling with other first year students.This tournament is sure to be an engaging and equally entertaining event that will be followed by the ‘First Year Pub Crawl’.

SOCIAL SPORT

Social Sport is the foundation of the QUTLS Sport and Health program. In the past, the QUTLS has formed teams for touch football, soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball and dodgeball. Members of all stages of their degree should join the QUTLS teams, especially first years! It is a great way to meet new people and get some exercise. The registration fee for members is subsidised and includes a QUTLS singlet.

QUEENSLAND LAW SOCIETY TOUCH COMPETITION

We will be putting forward a team for the Queensland Law Society Touch Competition again in 2021. Students will be able to engage as a team, network with other participants and enjoy some tongue in-cheek fun as we assert our undisputed dominance over the other student law societies and participating law firms. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for information on how to join our team.

RUNNING CLUB

QUT Law Running Club is a weekly social event ‘run’ by the QUTLS. The run doubles as a chance for our members to network, challenge and befriend each other while fitting some physical exercise into their week. We also encourage the first years to join and get the much elusive leg day exercise sorted out.

WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICE RIVER TO ROOFTOP FUNDRAISER

In 2018 and 2019, QUTLS members tackled the daunting challenge of running up 1,040 stairs to raise money for the Women’s Legal Service. If you enjoy physical challenges as much as engaging in social justice opportunities, consider signing up for this event in 2021.

QUTLS V UQLS TOUCH FOOTBALL GRUDGE MATCH AND SOCCER GRUDGE MATCH

Due to our fierce rivalry with the UQLS, many students get involved with these two events. Students engage in friendly competition against their friends and adversaries, bringing the two universities together. This is a great opportunity to represent QUTLS. It’s time to show them what the real-world looks like!

EXAM STRESS PACKS

The year of 2020 highlighted the importance of maintaining a state of mental well-being, especially during the exam periods. In 2021 the QUTLS will be supporting members through our Mental Health Program by providing them with exam stress packs. Offered from Week 11 onwards in both Semester 1 and Semester 2, these packs are a god-send in a time when the semester is bleak. The packs will help make your uni life brighter with free stationery, snacks and other exam essentials.

MENTAL HEALTH BREAKFAST

The Mental Health Breakfast will be held on national ‘R U OK? Day’ in 2021 to emphasise the importance of engaging in conversations surrounding mental health. This event is focused upon awareness and starting conversations, typically facilitated by mental health experts. We highly recommend attending this event - after all, your key asset in life is your mental health.

LAWRIGHT WALK FOR JUSTICE

The Queensland Legal Walk unites communities to walk together and raise vital funds to ensure all Queenslanders have access to the legal system through the charity, LawRight. Your involvement at the fundraiser walk ensures that parties who can’t afford legal representation are given equal opportunity.