QUT law society inc. Torts illustrated issue one 2017 acknowledgements The QUT Law Society’s annual Careers Guide publication would not have been possible without the support of its sponsors, as well as its dedicated Media & Communication team. Our sponsors Allens | Clayton Utz | Johnson Winter & Slattery | McCullough Robertson | MinterEllison Thomson Geer | QUT PLT | Ashurst Herbert Smith Freehills | King & Wood Mallesons Content Editors Claudia Choi [Vice-President of Media & Communication] Visual Design and Formatting Claudia Choi [Vice-President of Media & Communication] Royce Adcock [Designs Officer] Article Writers Megan Dudley [Publications Officer] Mellisa Hillier [Publications Officer] QUT Law Students Models Yehanka Ranasinghe (top left), Jack Bristed (top right), Jake Stacy (bottom left), Mellisa Hiller (bottom centre), Courtney Brown (bottom right)
Contents Connect with us on... ..........................................5 What’s on this semester ..........................................8 From the Editor ..........................................9 From your President ........................................10 Introducing your executives ........................................11 Institution of Netflix: What you can learn from The Good Wife ........................................19 Achieving balance: Mental Health & the Law ........................................20 A Commentary on ‘Adulting’ ........................................22 Ten reasons to study over summer ........................................26 How to recover your semester in 10 days ........................................28 Dealing with Rejection ........................................32 Give a CLC some TLC ........................................35 Same-Sex Marriage on the Corporate Agenda ........................................36 Blogs better than Bob Loblaw’s Law Blog ........................................38 iLawyer ........................................40 Contact Us
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Connect with us on... QUT Law Society Website: www.qutlawsociety.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/qutlawsociety/ Instagram: @qutlawsociety
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What’s on this semester Education & Social Events MARCH
Competitions
Herbert Smith Freehills Junior Moot Competition
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Clerkship Symposium
King & Wood Mallesons Senior Moot Competition
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L Card Launch
QUT PLT Client Interview Competition
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Meet the Profession
QUT PLT Witness Examination Competition
20 HopgoodGanim First Year Lunch 28 MinterEllison Women in Law APRIL 8
HopgoodGanim External School Lunch
29 Law Ball MAY 4
Experiences in IHL & Human Rights
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Colin Biggers & Paisley Careers Without Clerkships LawRight Walk for Justice
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Pub Crawl
25 Indigenous Reconciliation Breakfast JUNE 23 #letsgetrekt5
Disclaimer: These dates above are subject to change. Please like our Facebook page for all updates on our events and competitions. 8
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From the Editor Claudia Choi
QUTLS Vice-President of Media & Communication On behalf of the entire Media & Communications team, welcome to the first issue of Torts Illustrated for 2017. My name is Claudia Choi and I am the Vice-President of Media and Communication for 2017 and I study a double degree in Law and Business majoring in marketing. What do I actually do as the VicePresident of Media and Communication? Well, I am in charge of managing all QUT Law Society’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, our website and all publications. The QUT Law Society produces six publications annually. We’ve got our First Year Guide, ‘Springboard’ Careers Guide and our four issues of our Torts Illustrated magazine (which you’re currently reading).
As we are well into the semester, it’s time to finally stop procrastinating and get into our studies! While I know caffeine (whether in the form of coffee or energy drinks) may be the drink of life for many of us, I encourage you all to be physically and mentally healthy! Eat well and get a good night’s rest. Take a break, have a Kit Kat. This publication includes articles discussing mental health and a student’s sudden epiphany that adulthood is upon us, to advice on dealing with rejection and why you should study over the summer. So I hope you all enjoy reading Torts Illustrated (Issue 1), and I look forward to seeing you all around the Lawbry. xx Claudia Choi
Before I continue I must acknowledge my whole Media and Communications team for their contribution to the society and this publication. So thank you to Megan Dudley, Mellisa Hillier, Royce Adcock, Tristan Hall, Rianna Shoemaker and Izzy Machin. Despite hectic university, work and sometimes love life commitments, they always try to give a helping hand! I’d also like to recognise my stunning models that have featured in the cover photo of this publication. Yehanka Ranasinghe, Jack Bristed, Jake Stacey, Mellisa Hillier and Courtney Brown… you are all absolutely beautiful people. To all first years reading this publication, welcome to law school! I hope you’ve started to get the hang of what being a law student actually is… if not, that’s okay. I’m a fifth year student and I am still a bit confused myself. If you have any academic or social questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the QUT Law Society. We’d love to help you out or at least direct you to the appropriate person.
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From Your president Harrison Bell QUTLS President
On behalf of the 2017 QUT Law Society Committee, welcome to the 2017 University Year. May your juggling skills ever improve and your GPA prosper! We have an exciting year ahead of us and an incredibly dedicated team who I have every confidence will be able to deliver above expectations on all of our programs and initiatives. To the final year students returning once again to C block, a.k.a, home for another year, welcome back. I hope you have learnt to use and locate blackboard by now and realised that there are books in the library for a reason – to read them. To our first years: yes, schoolies was fun, but not as fun as your recommended readings you now have each week. Your time at university will carry many ups and downs. This is character building and everyone has to go through it. One piece of advice I can give you is be prepared, ask questions and don’t worry about what other people think of you. University is built for nerds. Be a nerd. nerds = sick internships, amazing jobs and free opportunities. Disclaimer – discussing World of Warcraft as your hobby during an interview will not equate to said results. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. Some students require us to lead them to water and then tip the water down their throat. Don’t be one of them. Get around our events, competitions and educational seminars this year - your resume will thank you later. Learn what firms want from their students, become friends with the HR reps and partners. However, don’t just limit your networking to only industry professionals, network amongst yourselves. These people might be your future colleagues or know of job opportunities. They could also provide you with ideas of what to do after you finish your 3-6 year degree/s. 10
Even though the society is running a record number of educational seminars and competitions this year, doesn’t mean we don’t also run some of the biggest “networking” events of any Law Society in Australia. Whether that’s sitting down and talking politics at the Law Dinner, forgetting your own name at the Pub Crawl or meeting the love of your life, or who you think is the love of your life, at the Law Ball, we have something for everyone. On a more sensible note, get fit and become the most popular nerd in town by joining one of our weekly touch, soccer, water polo or netball competitions. The more uncoordinated you are, the more we want you! The decisions you make this year will affect how much you enjoy university and whether you make it through. I implore you to get out of your comfort zone and have a crack at a few things; you never know what opportunities you could create for yourself. Harrison Bell
Introducing your executives As the year of 2017 begins, we thought we’d introduce our exeuctives to you and find out what their portfolio is all about.
Alastair Page
QUTLS Executive Vice-President Hello All! Welcome to another exciting edition of Law School for 2017! Firstly, congratulations are in order for our fresh new first years. Your hard work over high school has finally paid off and you can now look forward to what are arguably the best years of your life. Enjoy them while they last. To those who know the fallacy of this statement, welcome back. You probably deserve some credit for somehow finding the motivation to return, so hopefully you’re able to make this this year be your best yet. If not, just remember that there are many prominent barristers and partners that have failed subjects at law school.
Following from Harry’s sentiments, I’d like to further encourage you to become involved in as much as possible during your time at QUT. Gone are the days where you can rely on your exceptional grades alone for a job. In a world with growing competition and minimal positions, involvement in extracurricular activities is highly sought after and can often make a good application great. Firms sponsor our events to meet the people that keep their business thriving: you. So here’s to heavy drinking and light assessment, let’s make this our best year yet. Good luck with all impending assessment! Alastair Page
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Sarah Nguyen QUTLS Secretary
Hi, my name is Sarah Nguyen and I am your secretary for this year. Welcome to another wonderful year of Law School. Over the summer, while our merry Fellow Suicidal Law Students were slaving away in the dungeons of C Block with summer subjects or vacation programs, or, better yet, out traversing the world, the QUTLS Executive buckled down and got to work. The result of this intense work-bearing hibernation, was an exhaustive calendar full of exciting events, cool competitions and exquisite educational seminars to help us all get back into our goal-oriented mindsets. This year, the QUTLS has undergone a significant internal transformation. Efficient procedures have been introduced, more meetings with more outcomes have taken place, and exciting sponsorship goals were met. One of the biggest projects currently underway under my portfolio, is our Constitutional redraft - a much needed upgrade resulting from the changes that have occurred in past years. This will require more than just my efforts, and the whole Executive have helped by pitching their ideas and opinions towards draft changes; contributions which I am extremely grateful for. As for Law School itself? We're only six weeks in and it's been a hell of a ride already. In these six weeks, I've met a wonderful Executive and Committee, and have made some lovely new friends in my classes (one, who I only met the week prior, bought me a surprise coffee and brought it to class!). University can really be whatever you want it to be; you just have to find out what exactly that is, and make the right efforts. Good luck and best wishes to you all this semester and may your GPA's prosper. Your Secretary, Sarah Nguyen
Courtney Brown QUTLS Treasurer
If you’re reading this it’s too late. Well, if you’re anything like me it’s probably about three hours before you have to submit an assignment (or your Torts Illustrated submission) but you’ve decided that you deserved a break. You’re sitting there, having whipped out the latest edition of Torts Illustrated, trying to convince yourself that because it’s law related it counts as work. It doesn’t, but in any event, read on friend, I’ll try to make it worth your while. My name is Courtney Brown and I am studying Law and Accounting. I have learnt more in the five months of my term as Treasurer than I have in the four years of my degree. I’ve learnt that having a team rally together, devoting many late nights and their own sanity to develop a sponsorship prospectus in record time is a really satisfying feeling. That helping others to understand a budget isn’t unnecessary but that it empowers them and actually makes my job easier. I’ve also learned that being told you’ll be going through four years worth of audits sucks, but that with a passionate and dedicated team, we’ll get through it (I think...jury’s still out on this tbh). With half of my term to go, I think there’s still a bit left to learn. More than anything, my goal is to leave the position better than when I found it whilst attempting to maintain my average at best GPA and, fingers crossed, my sanity. Anyway, I hope to see you around; likely highly caffeinated and sleep deprived. If not, you’re doing it wrong - feel free to ask me for pointers. Stop procrastinating and good luck! Courtney Brown
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Patrick Johnson QUTLS Director of Mootclub
Hi, My name is Patrick Johnson and I am a third year student who has been participating in moots since my first year.
Yanery Ventura Rodriguez QUTLS Vice-President of Competitions
My name is Yanery and I am pleased to present the QUTLS Competitions for 2017. I spent last year as an officer and I am excited to be running the portfolio with my incredible officers Annalise Spurge, Rebecca Le, and Kate Jamieson. This semester we are hitting the ground running with the Junior Moot (week 3). The Junior Moot is a formative competition to develop inexperienced mooters’ speaking and researching skills. Next up is the King & Wood Mallesons Senior Moot (week 5) which is our most prestigious senior competition. Winners get full bragging rights and a spot in the Grudge Moot against the UQLS senior moot winners. Last year at the inaugural Grudge Moot, QUTLS brought home the sparkling trophy and the glory.
My first moot went awfully, but I have kept improving myself because mooting is fun! I didn't really expect to enjoy it so much at first. I had never done legal studies or debating at school, so I didn't have anything to compare it to. I have now represented QUT at the Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration moot in Hong Kong as an oralist, where we finished in the top 16 teams. My role as the Director of Moot Club is one that I thoroughly enjoy, as I find helping others improve their skills incredibly rewarding. Earlier in the semester I held some workshops for new and old mooters to either brush up on their skills or learn what mooting is actually about. These workshops were incredibly fun to run - there was a great turnout for both of them and there were many great questions. However, my role is no longer just about assisting up and coming mooters. It is now transitioning to also aiding students by working to secure sponsorship for future external mooting competition opportunities. This is only a very new responsibility and there is much work to be done, but I am excited for the prospect of getting QUT teams to as many external competitions as possible. Patrick Johnson
We then have the QUT Practical Legal Training Client Interview Competition (week 9). This is one of our most popular competitions as it is open to all study levels and requires minimal preparation. Last year spots completely filled before close of registration, so get in quick! Finally, we have the QUT Practical Legal Training Witness Examination (week 11). This competition is particularly interested in prosecuting or defending criminals at the bar someday. If you’re looking for a law school bucket list, look no further than our competitions. If you participate in a competition once, you will come away with a range of new skills and strong bonds with your teammates. If you aren’t yet ready to step up to compete in our competitions, I highly encourage you to attend our finals events. Having seen plenty of competitions my four years in law, I never fail to learn something new. Yanery Ventura Rodriguez 13
Jake Stacey
QUTLS Vice-President of Education Hi All! My name is Jake and I study a dual degree in law/ business (IB major) and have been involved with QUTLS since 2015. I am the Vice-President of Education for 2017 and it is my pleasure to welcome new and returning law students to another year of busy networking and career events. I am very lucky to have a strong team supporting me, Josh (Mentor), Xandra (Indigenous), Charlotte (Careers) & Amelia (Health). The Education Portfolio has had a string of successes over the past few weeks with Clerkship Symposium, Meet The Profession, HopgoodGanim First Year Lunch and MinterEllison Women in Law Cocktail Evening all achieving record number attendances. Trying to gain experience in the legal industry is incredibly difficult, with only 15-20 students being offered a clerkship position with each firm out of 500-750 applications. It is so important that law students within the current legal job market take advantage of the initiatives run by QUTLS and find at least ONE extracurricular activity with which they can include on their CV and discuss during job interviews. For me it is QUTLS and my obsession with binge watching Real Housewives. Education events to look forward to for the rest of Semester One include; (please mark these in your diary!) Experiences in International Humanitarian Law (Week 9), Careers Without Clerkships (Week 10), LawRight Walk for Justice (Week 11) and Indigenous Breakfast (Week 12). I look forward to seeing ALL law students at these upcoming events. Please like, follow and share our FB page and read our weekly newsletter for more information regarding future education events. Jake Stacey
Nicholas Arndt
QUTLS Vice-President of Events My name is Nicholas Arndt and I am the VicePresident of Events. For those who don’t know me, you can usually find me on the back wall of Level 6 of the law library with a very large, very strong coffee. As a final year student, I think I’ve been to enough University parties, dinners and balls to know what makes a good one. Therefore, it is no surprise that I applied to run the Events portfolio for QUTLS! I would love to see as many new faces as possible at our social events throughout the semester! It would be a royal shame if you missed out on the 2017 Law Ball – The Royal Affair. Just before exams we have a rowdy Pub Crawl through the CBD of Brisbane, take this as an opportunity to meet some of your learned classmates, or to mentally prepare yourself for the impending doom of exam season. To finish off the semester don’t forget to check yourself before you wreck yourself at end of semester drinks, aptly titled #letsgetrekt5. This year we have a fantastic team of officers consisting of Elena Dimeski, Jack Bristed and Yehanka Ranasinghe. Together we hope to bring you another exciting year of QUTLS events! See you around! Nicholas Arndt
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Alexandra Pearman
QUTLS Vice-President of Sport & Health Hello! My name is Alexandria Pearman and I’m your Vice President of Sport and Health for 2017. Sport and health is an integral portfolio focussing on allowing the students to take a step outside of their studies and give a moment to themselves. Throughout the year I coordinate social sports for our students and work with other universities’ student societies and professionals to provide a range of grudge matches. This allows law students to mingle and exercise their competitive sides on something other than their GPA. It also acts as a great way to stay healthy and celebrate a range of achievements that make well rounded lawyers. Social sport is one of the key features of my portfolio which runs throughout the entire semester, bringing together procrastination, competitiveness, pub crawls and laughter. My portfolio also includes the promotion of health and wellbeing amongst our law students at QUT. This aspect of my portfolio is important as stress and depression is prevalent in the legal industry. In support for mental wellbeing we will celebrate Mental Health Week early October. To help students relax during the stressful period that is SWOTVAC, the QUTLS will host interactive activities. Why? Because law is hard. We aim to be there to give support when someone mentions oral advocacy or Des Butler’s animating skills, Peter Black constitutional snapchat stories or when Leon Wolfe uses his voice modulator. We also act as a springboard for conversation topics about serious issues and help you can access services when you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling with exams or whenever you need to talk. We are all going through it together and sometimes the best help is found among your peers. I hope to be able to meet with all of you throughout the year across a field, court or QUTLS Function Alexandra Pearman
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LCARD treat yourself
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Pre-purchase your L Card at qutlslcard.getqpay.com and collect your card at the QUTLS Office*. *The QUTLS Office is located in C402. Our official opening hours are Monday and Wednesday from 12-3pm. However, if you ever see anyone in the office, drop by to say hi and collect your card. We’re more than happy to help you out.
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As a junior lawyer, your enthusiasm is in overdrive. Everything is interesting. You have a million questions for everyone. You want to be the best. And for me, I wanted to be the best lawyer and leader I could be. Right now I’m a corporate and tax lawyer, buying and selling companies, structuring investments and having the occasional battle with the ATO.
STAY TRUE.
So, a little while after I started at Clayton Utz, I joined the social committee. A powerful assembly fuelled by lunchtime pizzawielding lawyers making important decisions like choosing the Christmas party theme. They knew I liked pizza, but had no idea I was gay. You see, I wasn’t out at work yet and this became a genuine source of anxiety for a good two years. But In May 2015 this all changed... To listen to Luke’s full story, go to: claytonutz.com/graduates Academic brilliance certainly counts, but graduates who thrive here have something extra – a natural passion for connecting with people and a strong sense of self. That’s what staying true is all about. If you have these qualities, Clayton Utz is for you.
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Institution of
What You Can Learn FroM
thegoodwife Written by Megan Dudley QUTLS Publications Officer
It’s no secret that law students love to procrastinate. It’s almost like we were born with a procrastination gene. When I discovered The Good Wife on Netflix over the summer, I was hooked. Unfortunately, I was also taking Evidence and Ethics and the Legal Profession over summer so as you could imagine, this did not go well. I found I was reasoning with myself over the educational benefits of watching The Good Wife. For example, who would have thought that the Colin Sweeney murder trial (the first one) could teach you both rules of evidence AND legal ethics? Although the courtroom drama is based off American law, there are some universal concepts that apply.
Ethics It’s no surprise that a courtroom drama raises issues in regard to Ethics. Perhaps the most appeal to a drama such as The Good Wife is the contravening of solicitor rules. Whilst we can’t say for sure that watching The Good Wife will teach you everything you need to know about ethics in practice, it will act as a springboard for your mind to start thinking about ethics in real life scenarios. A good example of an ethical situation arising in the show stems from the diminished capacity of named partner Jonas Stern. Whilst Alicia was acting as his lawyer, she did not consider her obligations under solicitor rules. In Australia, competence is governed under Rule 8 of the Australia Solicitor Conduct Rules. Further issues arise throughout the duration of the series regarding guilty clients, dodgy investigative work and risky alliances with the State’s Attorney’s office.
Modern Technology If you look deeply into the storyline, past all the steamy Will v Peter v Alicia v Jason ongoing drama, there is mention of quite a few technology issues. The series addressed some of the most topical legal debates arising out of new technologies. For example, using “burner” phones to avoid monitoring and surveillance from the National Security Agency, arguing a case where a drone breached privacy of a therapist office, a 3D gun that was printed and used for a murder, a prototype tablet from “Chumhum” goes missing. It is interesting to see how these cases play out in the show, as they are often not instances we study in the basic law curriculum.
Controversy The Good Wife provided episodes that were centred around topical legal debates like abortion, gun control, gay marriage, government surveillance, campus rape and terrorism. The involvement of such controversial issues and the way the show interprets the law surrounding those issues is a thought provoking experience for a law student. The show was never short on political drama and would be able to teach anyone a few things about American politics. So if you’re looking to procrastinate, but without that guilty feeling, just turn on Netflix and watch The Good Wife. It’s educational, right?
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Achieving balance:
Mental Health & the Law
Written by Mellisa Hillier QUTLS Publications Officer
If you are going to practice law, you need to be prepared for stress. In his speech honoring Daniel Solomons, the Honorable Michael Kirby AC CMG described the law as:
“
[A] very public vocation. Its top practitioners are on display most of the time. They face fierce competition. They are often perfectionists, overachievers, trapped in ‘pin striped prisons’. We now know the law places special and excessive pressures on students and practitioners.
Lawyers are particularly vulnerable to suffering from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. In 2009 the Brain & Mind Research Institute of the University of Sydney published the first reported study into depression in the Australian legal community titled ‘Courting the Blues: attitudes towards depression in Australian law students and legal practitioners’. The results were startling with 46.9% of law students, 55.7% of solicitors and 52.5% of barristers reporting that they had experienced depression. Symptoms exhibited by people with depression, as identified by participants in the survey included: • Withdrawal from close family and friends • Unable to concentrate or have difficulty thinking • Becoming dependent on alcohol, drugs or sedatives • Have relationship or family problems • Stop doing things they enjoy • Have suicidal thoughts or behaviours • Stop going out • Not getting things done at school/work • Lack of self care • Develop new physical health problems Beacon Research and Consulting Group conducted a further study in 2011 in conjunction with beyondblue. The results reveal that lawyers were less likely to have stigmatising views about depression and were the profession most likely to undergo training in dealing with mental illness. In regards to seeking help the 2009 reported a preference to seek help for mental illness or emotional problems form non-professional sources or from ‘alternatively or complementary practitioners’. 20
Prompted by Managing Partner Trevor Edmond’s own personal struggle with depression, Adelaide law firm Wallmans Lawyers, decided to offer health and wellbeing programs, having consulted with staff about work pressures. Staff are encouraged to take time out of their schedules and visit the ‘quiet room’ complete with healthy snacks, or take a yoga class in the boardroom. Many lawyers have found that practicing yoga helps to balance the stress that comes with practicing law. The philosophy of law has existed for thousands of years. Similarly, the philosophy of yoga also shares an ancient past - both guide behavior and both have undergone significant transformation to suit modern day needs – you won’t find D-Dog in an ancient text. Yoga aims to align the body, mind and spirit through the practice of asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing). Introducing Lisa Ball, a former Melbourne lawyer and Monash graduate who discovered yoga on a hard-earned graduation trip to Europe. As an adolescent, Lisa was captivated by the law profession due to its exciting and glamorous portrayal in television shows like Law & Order and Ally McBeal. She played Court with her grandfather, rehearsing closing arguments she had prepared, manifesting a clear career ambition at an early age. Like many of us, Lisa entered law studies with dreams of helping others and a desire to serve those disempowered in society however, she admits the prestige and perceived glamour also played a part.
Lisa’s university experience was dominated by a fear of failure and anxiety due to the competitiveness of the legal profession. After completing her studies and securing Articles with a reputable mid-tier firm, the recently graduated Lisa Bell found herself in a lotus pose at a meditation retreat in Assisi, Italy. Returning to Australia, Lisa dove deeper into meditation and yoga practice, utilising its teachings to manage the demands of highpressure corporate life. The grounding and stress reducing practices of yoga and meditation slowly began to resonate with Lisa on a deeper level and after four years of legal practice, Lisa chose to leave her career as a lawyer and pursue her passion for yoga. Lisa is currently a master of several yoga styles and teaches at wellness retreats in Bali and Melbourne. If you are interested in trying out yoga, MY Time is QUT’s Meditation and Yoga Club. MY Time organise weekly Yoga and Meditations at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses during the academic semester. Membership for QUT students is just $5.00 for a year of meditation and yoga sessions. Email mytimequt@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mytimequt
Another young lawyer with a focus on mental health is 27-year-old Jerome Doraisamy. As a student Jerome excelled, winning awards and holding several positions on university and student councils and societies. After graduating he worked as an academic researcher and law clerk. After experiencing clinical depression and suffering a breakdown, Jerome has dedicated himself to researching the issue of depression in the legal community. Combining his experience and research, through which he discovered that 86% of legal professionals would rather suffer in silence, Jerome has penned a thoughtful and frank account in the form his book The Wellness Doctrines. Former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, Sir Gerard Brennan, hailed The Wellness Doctrines as “…a book of its time and a book for its time”. In addition to the book, the Wellness Doctrines website (www.wellnessdoctrines.com) contains a blog dedicated to fellow students and professionals sharing their own experiences with anxiety and depression as well as useful resources about dealing with symptoms and seeking help.
Alternatively you can take a class at home. Yoga with Adriene is a YouTube channel full of easy to follow yoga classes from the absolute beginner to a seasoned pretzel. Visit www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene If you or a fellow student think you may be suffering from anxiety, depression or other mental illness, beyondblue offers a 24/7 telephone support service on 1300 22 4636. QUT also offers free counselling services to students. Contact details are available at www.counselling.qut.edu.au/contact
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a Commentary on
A ‘ dulting’
Written by Mcawam
Anonymous QUT Law Student Please note: This piece of writing is a product of pure conjuration (that may or may not be loosely based on real life events), and it was in no way fact checked, peer reviewed, proofread, nor referenced in accordance with AGLC 3. You may now continue. A startling revelation dawned upon me one pay day when I was, inadvertently, browsing through Coles’ online catalogue in hope of finding shampoo and underwear on sale. Mini tubes I appropriated from various sources could only last so long, and at the precise moment the sight of ‘Bonds Men’s Guyfront 3 pack - $29.99’ filled my blessed heart with blossoms of joy, I realized that I had, unwittingly, become an adult. This metamorphosis was not in any way a sudden process - in fact, it’s entirely my fault I’ve been so blind to the ugly head it reared so many times in the past. A diet consisted largely of discounted instant noodles now leaves my body (rarely smoothly) with more lethargy and bloatedness than the satisfaction my once highly metabolic self-craved; I could no longer bluff my way through the ‘all-you-can eat buffet ½ price for under 17’s’ (found out about that the less-than-dignified way); and now it’s somewhat frowned upon if I’m seen playing with unsupervised children at the Lost & Insecure Vol.2: local shopping mall. Sad & Depleted Gone were my dreams of becoming a social vigilante, exposing the fraudulent lady with her morbidly obese son in almost literal tow on Anzac Square who are in fact, contrary to what she claimed, not homeless at all, nor is her son an invalid (I’ve the pleasure of living on the same bus route, but that’s a story for another time).
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Also gone were my visionary ideas of using ‘Millionaire Hotseat’ as a springboard to a career in pornography, eventuating in a directorial debut with superior screenwriting that’ll revolutionize the industry - the end goal being to go down in history as the pioneer of porn with plausible plotline, akin to what Truffaut and Godard were to La Nouvelle Vague. Flights of fancy that seemed like million dollar ideas were Couldn’t walk in these replaced with more realistic aspirations, and the faintest heels anyway... nagging on the back of my mind whether I might make my fortune in other fields before I’ve launched myself into anything bearing semblance to a career. Sadly, one’s outlook on life changes when you’re no longer able to base your income on rebate from your parents as they commit tax fraud under your name, or commission from what was a rather successful paper run racket that involved exploiting the stupidity of fellow children in the neighbourhood. Thoughts such as ‘fiscal responsibilities’ and ‘career opportunities’ start to creep into your everyday life without you noticing, and before long they’ve conquered that vast, barren landscape that relies solely on that part-time, minimum wage job you hold for nourishment. My life style also changed. I’m restricted to only buying essentials - toilet paper, beer, and the odd pack of Rothmans (or if I’m feeling fancy, Peter Stuyvesant); taking shady cash-in-hand gigs to avoid the very real possibility of the ATO coming after a student barely afloat the poverty line; registering 100 5c Kogan sim cards to get free GYG burritos daily (they caught on after the 22nd). As harrowing as it sounds, my descent into adulthood taught me many valuable lessons. If I could turn back the clock, I'd tell my younger self to stop chasing after the pretty girls - wait until they've had a few bad relationships and let themselves go a bit. Buy off season T-shirts in Winter, that way you can cut them into singlets after they stop resembling what the manufacturer intended them to look. I'd also tell myself that ‘moisturizing your beard to stimulate growth’ is totally not a thing, and just pretend to be happy with the fact that my smooth, unblemished facial features are often the object of envy. After all, I certainly do have it better than most, right? With love and positive life choices, Mcawam.
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ABOVE AND BEYOND BE A PART OF EVERYTHING
GRADUATE CAREERS IN LAW Join Herbert Smith Freehills and you’ll do more than just experience life at a leading law firm, you’ll be a part of everything we have to offer - whether you’re working on a high-profile takeover, catching up with an overseas client or taking on some challenging pro bono work. It’s an environment in which your perspective, ideas and experiences will make a real difference. Don’t just experience everything, be a part of it.
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Ten
REASONS TO STUDY OVER
Summer
Written by Rose Kinnear QUT Law Student
#1 It’s actually chill Walking into the campus over summer, there is a collective sigh of relief in the air. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the lines are non-existent. Taking a coffee break from doing your readings from a prescribed lawbry textbook on a 6-week loan, is a calming and cathartic experience. The baristas are chirpy, you engage in genuine small talk with strangers and participate in the old school out-back country-road-nod to passing comrades. There is a sense of community felt at summer in which no one is judged for their sweat patches. You can learn how to photocopy and print in peace (without the embarrassment of jamming all machines in front of 30 highly strung week seven stressed third years). The chaotic numbness and frantic energy of a regular semester is absent.
#2 it doesn’t interfere with your tanning schedule at all
It’s not even awks to be sunning your legs on the grassed areas. You can do your tute questions sprawled over your laptop like a Greek on their laurels and no one will bat an eyelid. One or two students might even smile in solidarity, themselves having returned from a quick beach day trip, salty and sun-kissed, to use one of the hundred and fifty free computers.
#3 Your tutors are more likely to like you
Tutors and course coordinators appreciate the extra commitment (and cash) to your studies over summer. They reply to emails promptly, perhaps even adding a small winky-face emoji. The sheer fact that they have less than a quarter of students to attend to (many of whom work fulltime and they will never see) makes them ultra-available and banter-ous.
#4 Need-to-know-basis
There is no superfluous language, ‘extra’ reading material or ‘introductory’ lessons. If you study in intensive mode, coordinators are conscious of time and so structure their content diligently and efficiently. This way you get to start problem solving and applying law to facts from day one.
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#5 Easier to make mates
Summer students are friendlier (fact). If you are early on in your degree and take an elective over summer, a large percentage of other students will be further down the track and can provide insights into your later studies. There is only a small group of students who ever actually show up to the face-toface workshops, so becoming familiar with your peers is easy. You also get lunch breaks in which you can create your own clique and then reminisce loudly during regular semester of the joys of a deserted campus.
#6 You are clearly a better student
Do you have a superiority complex but have little rebuttable evidence that shows you are actually better? Studying a summer subject tells everyone how passionate you are about your studies – without you having to point it out (though you probably will). It shows employers that you are organised, committed and motivated. It shows your mum that she raised a go-getter that prioritises education over Netflix binges. Other young students will come to you for advice on summer studies, painfully agnosing over its merits at which point you can nonchalantly recite your own experience as they listen in awe as you speak. Unless you meet someone who completed a clerkship over summer – in which case you can casually mention how your’re more into not-for-profit work anyway and can’t be institutionalised by a small minded commercial agenda. And that you developed this partiality whilst studying your elective. Over summer. Because you did a summer semester.
#7 it forces you to check your emails
There is a lot of information and opportunities that are sent out to students over the summer. Applications for various committees, buddy programs and competitions that you have the unique advantage to apply for simply because your dedicated enough to regularly check in. I participated in the disability note-taking program where I was paid actual cash money to take notes in a subject I was already taking notes for anyway (true story).
#8 Your brain keeps working
Coming back to study in week 1 semester 1 is like coming out of a coma. You have to re-learn how to do everything. What is a database? Who is blackboard? How do I sentence? Most students waste weeks 1-4 blankly starring out a window, pining for the days of sundrenched beach drinking – whilst the summer students have just finished a final exam still pounding with adrenalin and nursing carpel tunnel. This may sound a disadvantage but no... when we do eventually graduate (god willing), four month holidays will be a thing of the distant past. We’ll have to produce top notch results at work every week, with our only solace being weekends before another week of real life work commences. Similarly, you don’t lose your motivation and begin thinking you might just chuck this whole degree thing out because icing cupcakes for a living is actually not so bad and having a nongovernment/parental income is delightful.
#9 The toilets are super clean And the cold bubblers are always cold.
#10 you finish your degree earlier
Fact. Summer semester means earlier finish. Or it can mean that in your super stressful final year where you are working part-time in a top tier law firm as a clerk (please), you can be flexible with your studies and only take as many subjects as you feel comfortable with.
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How To Recover Your Semester In 10 Days Your guide to catching up this mid semester break
Written by Mellisa Hillier QUTLS Publications Officer
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After last semester’s all nighters, furious cramming sessions, and late night procrastibaking, you promised yourself that THIS semester you would be organised. You saw yourself on top of your workload, in control of group assignments and handing in assessment items early. For the first three weeks of semester you listened/attended every lecture and tutorial and read all the relevant material. You were feeling pretty good, so you relaxed a little. You blink - it’s week 7, you have at least 20 hours of lectures/ tutorials to catch up, a group assignment due at midnight, and you still haven’t heard back from old mate with his part yet. Cue freak-out. Luckily the mid-semester break offers 10 days of class free catch up – so let’s get started shall we?
Clean Up
Before we begin, ensure you have a clean and tidy study space. Mess is the destroyer of productivity so throw out the empty Skittles and/or M&M’s bags and organise your notes and textbooks (but be wary of falling into the trap of procrasticleaning). Now that you have a workspace conducive for some serious study, it’s time to sit down and take stock of your situation by asking yourself the following questions for each subject: • How many lectures/tutorials am I behind? • What assessment is left and when is it due? • What topics are assessable on the exam? − If you did poorly on an assignment, you shoul calculate how many marks you need on the exam for a pass, credit etc. − Note: QUT releases the draft exam timetable on Thursday 27th April 2017.
Make a To-Do List
Depending on how much you’ve got to catch up on this mid-semester break, you may be feeling overwhelmed. The trick is not to panic. Take a deep breath and get started on codifying your responses with a good old-fashioned to-do list. An easy way to do this is to divide a piece of paper into columns, one for each subject you’re taking. In each column, list what needs to be done e.g. Week 4 Readings, Week 5 Lecture, Week 8 Letter to Client Assignment etc. This process will help you to “unload” your mind, ease your stress and allow you to focus on the task at hand. I like to do this by hand because I enjoy the satisfaction of physically crossing off an item but you can obviously do this in Excel or on your phone etc. After you’ve got it all laid out in front of you, pick two of the most important tasks and highlight them as high priority; get them done first.
Get Organised
While you’re at it, get organised for the second half of the semester. As a law student, the tools of the trade are primarily a smartphone and laptop. Populate your calendar with your remaining lectures, tutorials, workshops and assessment due dates. Set reminders for assessment items to occur one or two weeks ahead of schedule, just in case anything slips through the cracks. Also ensure that you include any work, social, sport and family commitments and any other extracurricular activities. As soon as your exam dates are available, include those as well. Sync up your calendars and keep them updated.
Quantify Your Catch Up Time
Mid-semester break puts classes on pause for a glorious 10 days of much needed catch up. Allowing for a generous 8 hours of sleep daily, the break offers 160 hours to get your s**t together. In order to work out how many hours you’ll need to catch up on missed lectures/tutorials, access your lecture recordings and write down how long each one is, adding an extra half hour for note taking. Add it all together to get your final number - if it’s over 160, I’m sorry friend. Divide your number by 10 and you now know how many hours a day you need to dedicate to basic catch-up. Obviously this number will be higher if you have assessment due – account for that. Treat each day like an 8-5 job or an 8-10 job, ensuring that the you take rest and meal breaks.
Let Go of Guilt
What’s done is done. Focusing on feelings of guilt and regret isn’t going to help you and neither will writing off an entire semester you’re only halfway through. Forgive yourself and stop procrastinating. The sooner you get started the better off you will be, so clean that desk, start your to-do list and get moving. Here’s to a productive mid-semester break and the recovery of your semester!
Good luck!
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Dealing with
N O I T C E J E R
Written by Anonymous QUT Law Student
Getting rejected is never fun, whether it be from that boy you’ve been crushing on for months or when you don’t get that follow back on Instagram. One of the hardest rejections I have had to deal with however, are clerkship rejections (because boys drool and I don’t have Instagram). Last year I decided that it was time to gain some experience within the legal industry in the form of seasonal clerkships. I started off with so much confidence and motivation. I attended Lee Moy’s multiple clerkship coaching sessions, I scrolled through various clerkship application sites for each firm, I researched who they are, what they do, how I could fit in there. I spent time updating my resume, fleshing out my very limited experience in retail, editing cover letters and so on. I began to realise that clerkship applications are like taking on another subject − it required studying, writing, editing and time. So when you finally score yourself that email with an invite to testing, it feels like all that hard work has paid off and you’re finally making progress towards your dream clerkship. 32 32
You take all the practice questions and you’re ready to slay ( just not at that pattern test). You ace the tests and are offered an interview. You stay up Googling practice interview questions, start getting ready a good six hours before your interview time and you patiently (excruciatingly) sit in the waiting room for the interviewer to call your name. The interview was disaster, my nerves got the better of me and this was evident in the way I couldn’t properly articulate my answers and also from the beads of sweat forming on my forehead. Then it happens… you get your rejection email a week later, and even though I was fully expecting it, it still crushed my confidence. However, on the positive side, I found that interviews do get better the more you attend, you learn from your mistakes and move on which is exactly what I did. Lucky for me, I didn’t only apply for a clerkship at one firm. By the time I had my second interview I was feeling well prepared and much less nervous than my first attempt. The interviewer asked relatively the same questions as my
previous interview which meant I answered with confidence and poise (with very minimal sweat). I walked out thinking I had this in the bag. After more than a week of not hearing back, I finally received my rejection email, I cried in the car all the way home. Even though interviews become easier with more practice, rejections get harder especially when you feel you gave it your all. After every rejection it’s essential to always ask for feedback so you can work on your weaknesses and improve yourself, however it seemed that I wasn’t lacking in my interview skills. The reason I was most frequently given was that another candidate just had a little bit more experience than I did. It’s the classic catch 22 that probably every Gen Y has come across; need a job to gain experience but can’t get a job because no experience. Sometimes it may even be the case that another applicant has experience more suited to the role needed. This isn’t a bad reflection of you and it is important not to interpret it as one.
There are often some very good paralegal and assistant positions available at top tier, midtier and boutique law firms that would be very advantageous to any student. In any case, top-tier firms aren’t the only way to get a job in a law role. You would be surprised at how many professional services that offer clerkship programs and graduate lawyer roles. This can include various banks, various mining companies, various engineering companies and other consultancy firms. If you want to find out more about opportunities available, visit the QUTLS Springboard Careers Guide at www. issuu.com/qutlawsociety/docs/ careers_guide_springboard_2017
If you miss out on clerkships, don’t spend your time stressing. There is a very marginal amount of positions available and applications are received from students from other universities and even other states.
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graduates.minterellison.com
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Give a CLC Some TLC Written by Megan Dudley QUTLS Publications Officer
Community Legal Centres (CLC’s) are a critical part of the legal system. Each day, the most vulnerable members of our community are faced with legal issues that they cannot afford seek advice on. Christine Smyth, President of Queensland Law Society, has emphasised the importance of CLC’s role in providing access to justice – a basic right for all members of the community. For those who do not know, a community legal centre is an organisation who provides free legal support on matters including family law, domestic violence, traffic law, criminal law, elder abuse, housing issues, employment law and minor civil disputes. CLC’s are spread across Australia, each offering assistance on varying areas of law. CLC’s are facing a dramatic cut to funding from the Federal Government. Dan Stobbs from National Association of Community Legal Centre’s has stated, “CLCs are facing a 30% funding cliff nationally from 1 July 2017 that will severely limit our ability to continue to protect human rights for people across Australia”. He further went onto state, “Today we once again urge the Federal Government to work with us to stand up for the rights of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community through access to legal help, including by reversing the looming funding cliff facing CLCs”. Whilst you can join the fight to stop the cut in Federal Government funding, I would urge you to get out to your local CLC and ask if they need volunteers. The best and most effective way to assist the most vulnerable in our community is to be a part of assisting. You shouldn’t need convincing, but if you do, here are five very good reasons to volunteer at a CLC: 1. It is very rewarding. 2. You will learn more than a unit could teach you. As a volunteer at a CLC, your role will most likely be researching the clients legal issue for the solicitor. Your research will have to be comprehensive as the solicitors run back-to-back conferences. 3. It is real experience. You might not have a job in a law firm, but if you would really like experience in the field, then CLC is for you. By volunteering at a CLC, you get to help people whilst gaining experience. Sounds like a win/win to me. 4. It’s a great way to meet mentors. Having a mentor while studying law is an incredibly advantageous tool. The solicitors you will meet at a CLC come from vast and varied backgrounds. They are able to teach you in ways that a lecture could not. 5. You can choose how often you want to volunteer. Depending on the centre, the volunteer hours may vary. For example, a CLC might operate 9-5 Monday, Wednesday and Friday whilst another may operate Monday nights from 6-8pm. Your assistance may only be required once a fortnight or even once a month. You can find out more about where CLC’s are in your area, if they need volunteers and how to get in touch by visiting http://communitylegalqld.org.au/about-us/volunteer 35
Same-Sex Marriage on the Corporate Agenda The business of marriage equality
Written by Mellisa Hillier QUTLS Publications Officer
With the notion of a non-binding plebiscite looking less and less likely, and a free vote in parliament seemingly nowhere on the government’s agenda, “big business” has found itself on the same side of the same-sex marriage debate as the Australian Marriage Equality organisation. Rarely do we see so many corporations from the big end of town getting involved in something as political, or as divisive, as the issue of same-sex marriage. This was once considered an issue only fringe companies who cater to the LBGTIQ communities would care about. In the past few years we have seen corporation after corporation come out publically and call for an end to the issue. Recently, there has been a significant increase in the efforts of the country’s most senior business leaders to have Australia catch up to the rest of the free world and legalise same-sex marriage. Some of Australia’s biggest companies in the banking and finance, retail, and travel sectors have united in advertising campaigns calling on parliament to change the law and allow same-sex marriage. This recently culminated in a petition on the matter, addressed to Malcolm Turnbull and signed by dozens of corporate leaders including Wesfarmers Managing Director Richard Goyder, and chief executives from ANZ, CBA, the Business Council of Australia and Qantas. Other companies have taken a more visible approach to the issue. Airbnb have recently launched their ‘Until We All Belong’ campaign. Australians can now pledge their support for the cause by wearing a matte black ring, which forms an incomplete circle and has ‘until we all belong’ engraved on its interior. If you are interested in joining the campaign the rings can be purchased from the campaign website (www.untilweallbelong.com) or eBay for the price of $3.50 which covers the postage and handling, no profit is made from the sale of the rings.
Credit: Image by Airbnb 36
Canberra airport has been one of the country’s most visual supporters of same-sex marriage. In 2015 the airport turned on a series of rainbow lights at its new terminal in an effort to encourage the bill to legalise same-sex marriage. The airport also erected signage to support the
#WeCanDoThis campaign. In addition to turning the lights on during every parliamentary sitting week of this calendar year, Canberra airport has added to the campaign with a series of billboards in support of the change. Canberra airport managing director Stephen Byron said in regards to the campaign that it “…will remind MPs every time they travel through the airport that marriage equality is a straightforward reform that allows every Australian the same opportunities in life”. For Stephen, like many Australians, the issue is a personal one as his brother Tom Snow was forced to travel to New Zealand in order to get married. Not all companies have been as quick or as willing to support same-sex marriage. After experiencing a boycott from pubs and consumers, Coopers Brewery was forced to distance itself from a promotional video released by the Bible Society about the same-sex marriage debate called ‘Keeping it Light’. Coopers had been long-time donators to the Bible Society and were in the process of releasing special-edition packaging to celebrate the Bible Society’s 200th birthday. After multiple contradictory statements, Coopers Managing Director Dr Tim Cooper and Director of Corporate Affairs Melanie Cooper released a final statement on the matter. This statement distanced the brewery from the Bible Society and announced Coopers support for marriage equality and the cancelling of the special-edition Bible Society commemorative packaging. Whether it be a personal or financial decision, it appears to be good business to be on the side of marriage equality in the same-sex marriage debate. Support for same-sex marriage has skyrocketed since 2004 when the current legislation that blocks marriage equality was enacted. In 2004, 38% of Australians were for same-sex marriage. In 2012, this number had risen to 64% in favour. Recent polls have revealed that the younger you are the more likely you are to be in favour of marriage equality. It would be naïve to assume corporations have not taken note of the popularity of same-sex marriage in key demographics and adjusted their company policy to support the matter, lest they find themselves in a situation like Coopers Brewery. From a financial perspective, it simply makes sense to support samesex marriage. With both the population and corporations behind same-sex marriage, it now rests on the members of parliament to make the change. As it stands there is enough support in both the lower and upper house that if a free vote were allowed a marriage equality bill would be successful. If you’d like to help make Australia a fairer place for those in the LGBTIQ community, head over to www.equalitycampaign.org.au and show your support for change. It will take less than 5 minutes to help make a difference!
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Blogs better than
Bob Loblaw’s Law Blog Written by Mellisa Hillier QUTLS Publications Officer
If you haven’t worked it out already, being a law student mean reading a lot, and I mean A LOT of reading. If you’ve read all your chapters, journal and news articles and finished your case notes but still have the strength to carry on, or you’re just lying in bed patiently waiting for the backlog of caffeine to leave your system, get stuck in to some of Australia’s best law blogs.
Survive Law survivelaw.com
From the humble beginnings of a wild idea scribbled on a scrap of Equity Law notes to the best-known law student blog in Australia with 50,000+ visitors a month – Survive Law is the Holy Grail of law student blogs. Articles are conveniently split into 5 categories - Study, Careers, Procrastination, Well-being and Law Student Life – so you can get straight to the articles you’re feeling. In addition to the blog, the Survive Law site includes a range of other student orientated resources including a fortnightly legal news round up. This is an extremely useful catch up tool for those of us that like to stay up to date with current events but have been locked in the library – because week 6, deadlines, how did I get here again? If this is your penultimate year, make sure to check out the clerkship tab, which includes a database of available clerkships and guides to mastering your application and interview.
Look Mum, I’m a Lawyer lookmumimalawyer.tumbler.com
Wellness is important and laughter is the best medicine so I’ve included this blog for pure hilarity. It seems to have been abandoned, as there hasn’t been any new content since November 2015 but regardless, go and have a look and a laugh. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
#shitjudgessay
shitjudgessay.tumblr.com True to the name, this blog is a collection of particularly hilarious court transcript excerpts featuring big names such as Gageler, Callinan, Hayne, Kiefel and Nettle. Unless you’re a Kirby, we can all agree that our High Court Justices serve sass like no other. 38
The Law Student Diary thelawstudentdiaryaus.com
From the creative mind of Daniella, a third year Bachelor of Arts/Law student, this blog is clever, real and just beautiful to look at. Danielle’s articles encompass a wide range of topics such as studying law (a given), university life, mental health and wellness, Christianity, food, beauty and lifestyle. She includes tips and tricks to stay motivated and organised (including a range of free printable resources) and has also published a range of study guides on Criminal and Contract Law. She has also included a bunch of recipes – my favourite is the Sprinkle Cupcakes #procrastibake – for all of us compulsive study snackers.
The Pre-Lawyer in Black thelawyerinblack.wordpress.com
Just your classic blog following the journey of a law student with some banter thrown in for good measure. The Pre-Lawyer in Black focuses on presenting issues of law, law school, and legal news in a fun and lighthearted way. Recent posts include such titles as: Noob’s Guide to their First Office Job; How to Prepare for your Internship, and The Pham Sham – why you shouldn't exaggerate your duties. Follow the blog via email to get the latest posts hot off the press.
Law Graduate in Pink
lawgradinpink.blogspot.com.au This blog started as a guide for law students and their transition from graduate to junior lawyer. It still covers its original goal well, but now also includes excellent legal content on employment law, industrial relations, administrative law, constitutional law and legal ethics. If you’re studying Constitutional Law this semester, some articles worth your immediate attention are: Gaynor v Chief of the Defence Force (No 3) [2015] FCA 1370 – Reservist saved by implied freedom of political communication, and McCloy v New South Wales [2015] HCA 34 – Implied freedom of political communication – a summary for law students.
After Salazar aftersalazar.com
Content creator David Mejia-Canales is a self-described “proudly unapologetic brown man with Mayan blood” who pays tribute to fellow countryman and celebrated Salvadoran poet and intellectual, Salvador Efrain Salazar Arrué better know as Salarrué, via the name of his blog. David is a practicing lawyer based in Melbourne, who aims to make the law accessible to all, and will help you with your Crim homework if you drop him a line. David’s writing is witty, engaging and carries a lot of relatable realness. His educational podcasts aren’t to be missed especially the one where he explains Property and Chain of Title with the Honorable Judge Judith Sheindlin.
You’ve entered law land… youveenteredlawland.com
An honorable mention goes to anonymous blogger “Will” of youveenteredlawland.com for his articles titled Exam Scripts and Skeleton Answers, and Quick Guide to AGLC.
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iLawyer
The Digital Disruption Set To Change The Legal Industry
Written by Megan Dudley QUTLS Publications Officer
A “virtual lawyer” is not something that is commonly discussed in law school. More often than not, we’re directed to dream of working at a top tier firm with epic Eagle Street views, or for the non-corporate law types, an office along George Street. However, with all the advances in technology coming in thick and fast, and the progression of virtual law firms to this date, it is likely that a portion of this year’s graduating class will go on to be virtual lawyers. It’s hard to imagine why graduates would not want to be a virtual lawyer. I mean, the appeal of being able to respond to clients while sitting on your couch watching Shameless and snacking on Cheezels is enough to convince anyone to chase that career. The idea of a virtual lawyer has been widely criticised by the legal community for unsustainability and unreliability. The concept has formed from what is being termed ‘the Uber effect’ with emerging new approaches to traditional practices. Whilst it is easy to see why a virtual lawyer can be criticised, there are many advantages for clients.
Lower Costs
The virtual lawyer model allows companies or individual practitioners to operate at a lower cost due to reduce overhead fees. The reduction of operating costs is then passed onto the consumer by lowered legal costs. The model is based off a policy of cost transparency with fixed fee or capped cost arrangements often used instead of the traditional cost agreements.
Location
A virtual office can exist anywhere where the internet is connected. That means, a virtual lawyer can operate anywhere in the world without being subject to office rent and expenses. However, a lawyer can only practice within the scope of their degree and practicing certificate extends. For Australian lawyers, this limits practice to within one state, if no additional practicing certificate for another state is held. If a virtual office has a lawyer in every state, that means the virtual firm can operate Australia wide.
Apps
Some digital firms are taking their technology advancement one step further, with the development of apps to provide instant legal advice. Finalist for the 2015 Queensland Business Awards, Virtual Legal, are one of the tech savvy companies focused on the production of an app. Whilst the advancement in technology in legal practice is amazing, there are issues that need to be dealt with as the progression continues. If you are seeking to be a virtual lawyer, make sure you research the virtual firm just as you would with a public firm.
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