2024 Juris Doctorate Guide

JURIS DOCTORATE GUIDE

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO NAVIGATING YOUR JURIS DOCTORATE AT DEAKIN

FOREWORD

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

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Designer and Editor: Ruby Evans

Email: secretary@deakinlss org

@deakinlaw @deakinlss

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Dear Juris Doctorate students,

Firstly, I want to offer my sincere congratulations. Getting into law school is by no means a small feat and it is important to recognise such a fantastic achievement.

Now that you're embarking on this exciting journey, the real adventure is just beginning, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome you to the DLSS. Allow me to offer a glimpse into the myriad of opportunities awaiting you at Deakin, extending far beyond the confines of your law degree.

Courtney McKenzie President, Deakin Law Students’ Society

The DLSS is a student-run organisation aimed at providing Deakin law students with a platform to explore their legal interests, make lifelong connections and leave university confident and prepared for the legal profession. We do so through conducting events run by our numerous portfolios, releasing a variety of publications and hosting a range of legal competitions.

Embarking on a law degree can undoubtedly be daunting, as it's perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. However, fear not, as there are several steps you can take to not only pave the way for success but also inject some enjoyment into your academic journey.

Engage in as many opportunities as you can! It may seem straightforward, but the path to involvement varies for everyone. Whether it's participating in law competitions, attending Career events, or attending social activities, taking that initial step can be intimidating. However, I assure you that it will pay off in countless ways. When I arrived at Deakin I too was studying online and didn't know a soul. By pushing myself beyond my comfort zone and getting involved, I formed genuine friendships and transformed university from a place I had to go to into a place I wanted to be in.

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Take full advantage of the resources at your disposal. Looking back, I truly wish I had realised the wealth of resources available to students when I first started. Beyond the standard facilities offered at Deakin University, the Library is an invaluable resource. Legal research is a significant aspect of the degree, and it's completely normal not to have mastered it right away Instead of struggling as I did, investing some time in exploring research guides on the Library website or attending DLSS study sessions will not only save you time but also improve your academic performance.

Feeling overwhelmed is completely normal, so don't be too hard on yourself. The best advice I can offer is to focus on running your own race. I understand it's easier said than done, but constantly comparing yourself to others, whether it’s regarding grades, extracurricular activities, or anything else, will only detract from your university experience. It's no secret that law school presents its challenges, but I assure you that even during the toughest times, success is possible. Experiencing stress, overwhelm, and time constraints is all part of the learning curve. Give yourself the chance to discover study habits that work for you and allow you to maximize your degree experience while still enjoying yourself.

Lastly, in a shameless plug, I must emphasise that the DLSS is indeed a valuable resource to tap into as you commence your degree I encourage you to dedicate some time to explore the DLSS website, peruse this guide, and browse through the events page to discover the multitude of opportunities available. Whether you're seeking social connections or career guidance, rest assured that we host events designed to address your queries and interests

Welcome to Deakin and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

With utmost admiration,

Courtney

2024 President Deakin Law Students’ Society

WHAT IS THE DLSS?

The Deakin Law Students' Society ('DLSS') is a student-run organisation operating on behalf of all Deakin law students. As one of Deakin's longeststanding student societies our goal is to assist law students to maximise their university experience by hosting a variety of events each year, covering many areas including academics, career and social life.

Especially as cloud students, the DLSS is a great way for the JD cohort to meet and interact with fellow students.

You can find us online at www.deakinlss.org

MEMBERSHIP

We would love for you to join the DLSS as a member – and it’s only $5! Here are some of the benefits you can expect:

Discounted ticket prices for DLSS events

An email subscription to the DLSS (where we advertise internships and paid positions at various law firms)

Access to exam revision sessions

Voting rights at our annual general meeting

You can join directly here: https://dlssmembership/getqpay com/

JURIS DOCTORATE REPRESENTATIVE

The JD representative advocates for all JD students, assisting them with any questions or concerns they may have during their degree. They also organise events and activities for the JD cohort to allow students to come together and connect outside of the online study routine, and to alleviate some of the stressors of study/work life.

The JD representative, along with the First Year representatives, report to the Vice President to ensure that the Deakin law cohort feel comfortable and confident in their studies.

The DLSS are currently seeking applicants for our 2024 JD representative. Applications will be advertised on social media; once applications are submitted, voting for the 2024 JD representative will open at which point the JD cohort will vote in their representative. Applications and applicants will be considered and decided in Trimester One.

Being on the DLSS is a great way to become engaged with the Deakin law community, make new friends and take part in organising events, activities and competitions. It also provides you with great skills and experience that will be helpful in your roles outside of university.

If you are passionate about helping students, looking to meet more fellow cohort members, or wanting to improve your skill set, consider applying to become the 2024 JD representative in Trimester One!

DLSS PORTFOLIOS

The DLSS is comprised of a variety of portfolios covering the many facets that keep our society thriving for Deakin law students. For a deeper dive into each portfolio, what they do and who is behind them, please see our publication ‘The Memo’, which focuses on the Society.

President – Courtney McKenzie

Vice President – Bailiejean Hohnberg

Secretary – Adam Marshall

Director of Finance – Gab Stripp

Finance Officer - Sofia Rossi

Co-Director of Sponsorship – Lucy French

Co-Director of Sponsorship – Connor Hardcastle

Sponsorship Officer - McKeely Hol

Immediate Past President – Julia Fittipaldi

ACTIVITIES

Director - Beth Joel

Officers - Firas Moshi, Edward Baker and Lauchlan Mant

COMMERCIAL CAREERS

Director - Joshua Herington

Officers - Marietta Stents, Alyssa Chiarilli, Alison Galbally and Emily Hajicosta

COMMUNICATIONS

Director - Jordan Cook

Officers - Madeleine French, Ruby Evans and Priyanka Sharma

DLSS PORTFOLIOS

COMPETITIONS

Director - Katia Krivanek

Officers - Sanya Patel, Sami Pauliuk, Alexia Crespin, Ella Mitchell and Rachel Thomson

EDUCATION

Director - Alice Mayne

Officers - Henry Jones, Isabella Chalmers and Joseph Ireland

ENGAGEMENT

Director - Xavier Adams

Officers - Samantha Stenos and Tealia Holmes

INDUSTRY

Director - Emilie Young

Officers - Evan O’Connor, Emilia Mitropoulos and Grace Turner

MARKETING

Director - Lucy Terry

Officers - Remi Curie, Cameron Sweeney, Lavenia Goga and Ross Agelopoulos

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY

Director - Swathika Karthik

Officers - Keshavi Perera, Benjamin Smith and Nitish Mathias

Queer Officer - Don Ahas Kannangara

MAP

The Melbourne Deakin campus is located in Burwood around Gardiners Creek. The main entrances are via Burwood Hwy or Elgar Road – the latter is where you will find LC, the new Law Building completed in July 2020. It features five levels of interactive learning spaces, a fitness and health and wellbeing centre, a café and more.

By searching ‘Deakin Burwood map pdf’ on Google, the first result will contain pdfs of the Burwood campus with a variety of legend symbols catering to your needs

Alternatively, you can download the ‘Lost on Campus’ app which provides a comprehensive map allowing you to search for lecture theatres, cafes, toilets, ATMs and more.

TEXTBOOKS

Though textbooks are not always recommended or prescribed for certain units, they are a useful way of contextualising key sources of law, such as cases or legislation, to build on your knowledge of particular legal concepts. Since the closure of the DUSA Bookshop in 2022, textbooks are available for purchase externally from the University such as from StudentVIP, Facebook Marketplace and sites such as the Book Depository, for a range of first or second hand copies.

Alternatively, you may be able to rent the physical textbook from the Deakin Library, or your unit chair may have allowed unlimited online access to the textbook through your DeakinSync unit site. However, there may be limits on concurrent online users. During busy periods - such as the night before an exam or an assignment is due - you may not have access if other students are trying to use them.

Given that the law is constantly changing, it is important to ensure that your textbook is relevant to your unit and is the most recent edition. If you are ever unsure of the correct details of your unit’s prescribed readings, you can search your unit code online in the Deakin library’s catalogue tab here: https://library.deakin.edu.au/.

NAVIGATING THE CLOUD

As JD students, many of you may not have had the internet at your disposal in your undergraduate studies like we do today. In many ways, the internet and the Cloud site can make studying and accessibility to resources much easier, however, it can also be complex to navigate for students returning to study. The following are some useful resources and tips to assist you in your introduction to the DeakinSync Cloud Site:

The Discussions Board - When your semester begins, you will notice on each unit site a ‘Discussions’ tab – this will be your go to when you have a general question about the unit, an assignment, or a topic or content discussed in that week’s lecture. It is a great place to introduce yourself at the beginning of each semester, and to extend an invite to create study groups with other students via WhatsApp, Facebook or Microsoft Teams.

Tip

Reading through the assignment’s discussions board before you submit can be extremely useful – last minute assignment changes have saved our butts because another student had already asked to clarify!

Locker - Under the ‘Tools’ tab you will find the ‘Locker’ option – like a school locker, you can upload and store relevant documents in folders, such as PDFs of legislation, assignment documents or case summaries. This allows you to keep all important university documents in one place and avoid cluttering your computer, particularly if you use it for work or personal use as well Crucially, if you are to complete your exam on campus, the Locker is the most effective (and recommended) way of easily accessing and using your study notes during your exam.

Explore UniStart and the Juris Doctor Hub Site - On the unit site you’ll see nine square boxes at the top that have tabs linking to valuable online resources as a new student to the Law Faculty UniStart is a wonderful resource that offers general guides to learning such as orientation checklists, how to best approach assessments, and tips for navigating the semesterly study cycle

The Juris Doctor Hub Site provides access to resources such as student support, study tips and DeakinTALENT jobs and internships Relevant and upcoming events and seminars, as well as volunteer, employment and competition opportunities are updated for JD students to engage with the wider Deakin community and to broaden their skills and knowledge.

You can also Faculty site is where you can find Turnitin, a service which promotes academic integrity by checking for any unoriginal material present in your work This is a wonderful resource to utilise prior to your assessment submission date, however, allow 48 hours to use Turnitin so you receive your result in time

These resources are also accessible via the StudentConnect homepage

CORPORATE WEAR

Corporate wear is the term for dress codes in business environments. Depending on your job history, you may already be familiar with what is expected in terms of clothing in a corporate workplace. It is important to consider this especially when applying for clerkships and other legal job opportunities such as Work Integrated Learning placements.

Smart Casual - Button down shirts without ties, blouses, neat pants and mid-length skirts are all appropriate for smart casual; you’re likely to find this dress code on a party invite. Patterns, bright colours and bolder jewellery can be worn, and shoes must be tasteful

Formal Corporate Wear - Formal clothing deemed appropriate for traditional and highly professional workplaces are necessary for formal corporate wear For men, a suit with a light coloured shirt and dress shoes is generally expected. Formal corporate attire for women consists of a suit, a light coloured shirt or blouse, knee-length skirt or pants, and closed-toed dress shoes

Business Casual - This style is the midpoint between smart casual and formal corporate wear, and is appropriate for business meetings or corporate events Opt for neat, collared shirts, and tidy blouses sweaters. Chinos, trousers and midlength skirts are all acceptable bottoms. Footwear should be tasteful and workplace appropriate

WELLBEING

Wellbeing is incredibly important for law students. As a profession, law has one of the highest rates of mental health issues, due largely to the high-pressure environments and expectations of the legal profession. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, which can have a detrimental impact on your day-today health. This pressure can manifest throughout university, therefore the prioritisation of your wellbeing is just as important as work and academic study.

JD students face uniquely difficult challenges, juggling and maintaining success across work, family life, extra-curricular activities, study and more. It is quite different from what you are familiar with studying at university, so ensuring you are mentally and physically well enough to succeed can be tough. Here are some ways to begin addressing concerns of wellbeing.

Stay Connected

As cloud students, isolation can be particularly hard as you may feel that your cohort is disconnected and social connection is more challenging. It is important, however, to have fellow students to share your struggles with, stress about assignments to and laugh over the craziness of your lift. So, how can you be proactive about staying connected?

Keep your friends close - It can be easy to ice out your friends when you’re busy or stressed, but they often are the ones who can make you feel your best and distract you when it’s needed. Commit to checking in regularly, and catching up, even if it’s just a 30 minute walk after work!

Join the DLSS - The DLSS presents and easy and enjoyable way to connect with law students, and keeps you updated on the social events that can help you nurture these connections.

Organise study groups - Studying with fellow students is a great way to feel connected with other law students. Often the struggles you feel are also felt by your peers; knowing that you’re not alone can alleviate some of the stress.

WELLBEING

Keep your Body Well

Sore backs and lack of sleep – we’ve all been there. While it may feel as though there isn’t enough time in the day, prioritising your physical wellbeing can assist with destress and mind blanks, as well as all of the other known benefits. Especially as JD, it is easy to neglect the importance of physical activity. However, it is much easier than you think to incorporate!

Plan a walk - Plan ahead when you best like to exercise –whether first thing in the morning, after lunch, or before dinner –and set alarms for when you’re going to take a break. Stick to this routine as something to look forward to, adjusting the time you spend on a walk as necessary. Just leave the laptop and get out!

Morning stretches or yoga - There is no right or wrong way to move your body as long as it feels good! Whatever helps you loosen up before you sit down for the day. There are endless 10 minute movement videos on YouTube to view, so you’ll always have something new to try!

Find something you like - Finding something you like when moving your body is important for those who don’t like running or the gym (and trust me, there’s many of us!) Playing with your dog, going on a hike, or a swim at the beach are all great ways of moving your body instead. If it’s something you enjoy, it’s something you’ll do.

The new Law School Building (Building LC) is now home to the wellness centre including a psychologist, physiotherapist, DeakinACTIVE (the University gym), and offers vaccinations and medical certificates You can visit them directly or make appointments under DeakinSync. There are also further resources on various areas of student wellbeing at this link: https://www deakin edu au/students/home

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE

Many people assume that doing a JD automatically makes you a lawyer, however this is not the case. In order to work as a legal practitioner in Victoria you need to gain admission to the Supreme Court Roll in a three step process:

Complete your degree - Whether LLB or JD, you must gain a relevant qualification for the law. Within this qualification you will complete the ‘Priestly 11’, a standardised array of core law units. Deakin ensures that these units are included in your course plan.

Complete your PLT - Once you have attained a qualification in the law, you have to complete Practical Legal Training (PLT). This may either be completed through a traineeship with a firm, or through a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. This training will ensure you are equipped with the skills to complete legal work on behalf of clients.

Gain admission: the character requirement - Finally, you need to apply for a compliance certificate issued by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board. This requires you to demonstrate that you are a ‘fit and proper person’. Aspiring lawyers must complete a statement, within which they must fully and frankly disclose any past conduct that might be relevant to their fitness to practice law. Effectively, applicants must leave no stone unturned and reveal any past mistakes, even those that might seem trivial – such as a parking fine! – because candour in disclosure demonstrates honesty, knowledge of what is relevant, and the ability to meet their ethical obligations as a lawyer.

LAW SCHOOL TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Law school can be a minefield. Here’s a cache of tips and tricks to help you navigate it!

Studying while Working

As a JD student, your life is about to become significantly busier! Though you may have experienced the work and study life in your undergraduate degree, the odds are it will be more difficult this time around. Below are a few tips to help you balance work and study:

Create a dedicated study space - The importance of a space that is separate and organised can’t be overstated. Whether it’s a home office you already have, or you need to find some space at a local library away from the noise and distraction of home life, you will need a space where you feel like you are in study mode. Furthermore, the Deakin Library is open every day, with 24/7 open hours during exam periods.

Give yourself time to read - Reading cases and distilling the legal principles contained within them take time. You’ll need to read cases two or three times in the beginning to understand what they are saying. Reading could be interpreted creatively – this might look like lectures playing in the background will cleaning or working out, or utilising your computer’s text to speech function in order to multitask.

Communicate with your workplace and take the time you need! - If your employer is not aware of your additional work load, they likely will not understand why you may have less mental energy at work. Remember to use leave where necessary to support your attendance at exams and other important opportunities. Thankfully, most if not all JD tutorials take place after work hours.

LAW SCHOOL TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Time Management Tips

Stay ahead of deadlines - As a law student who may have significant work and family commitments, you may not always be able to guarantee that something won’t come out of left field and send all your best laid plans into chaos. Try to get ahead of required deadlines so that you have a buffer for when (rarely if) things go wrong.

Set aside dedicated time - In your undergraduate studies, you may have found it possible to scramble or find time in the margins for your study content and assessments, however you likely won’t have this luxury in your law degree. Whether it is early in the morning before work while the house is quiet, or time after work before your brain completely switches off for the day, block out time to allow legal readings and concepts to sink in.

Make weekly/daily study plans - Breaking your day or week into a detailed visualisation of your studies is a great way of identifying what needs to be done, at what time, and how long each task will take, so that you don’t fall behind and can account for all due tasks. Incorporating this schedule into with your work schedule will set you up for success!

General Advice and Expectations

Be kind to yourself - studying law is hard! Try not to judge yourself by the standards of success you may have achieved in your previous career or studies, and don’t expect to grasp everything straight away. The first few units will feel alien and overwhelming, as you train your brain to think about the world in a different way, using what is actually a different language and method of problem solving to what you have known before. Use support resources from the university or library, the DLSS, and your fellow students and it will get easier – trust us!

THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN....

Many JD students wish they could go back and give their past self some guidance. We’ve rounded up some of the things students wished they’d known before starting their JD.

“I wish I’d known about the unofficial Deakin Juris Doctor Student Facebook page, which is a great place to get informal advice and feel connected to the JD student body It was a great way to meet other JD students, and I found the study group I’m still in now!” – Chris D.

“The choice of making typed notes as opposed to written notes was a life (and time) saver. Ensuring they are easily digestible for future reference saved me a lot of stress when completing assignments and exams.” – Stuart K.

“I wish I’d known about the Deakin Library learning modules that assist you with legal research, and the Turnitin portal for you to cross check your own work for originality before submitting!” –

Kendall B.

“Utilising the course maps and planners to gain an understanding of what units need to be completed and when was really helpful for me. It allowed me to see a birds eye view of my course to see how long it would take if I decided to do a portion of my degree part time.” – David

David A

“The mentor program is a godsend. Studying law is not like anything else –footnoting, referencing and bibliography is different than other courses, with multiple types of sources needing to be referenced Commit to navigating the AGLC4 early!” – Alannah E.

“The Law and Legal Research Guides really helped me understand how to read, research and write like a law student. Any burning question I have about completing assignments is often answered there!” - Jennifer K

CAREERS

While completing your JD, you’re setting yourself up for your career. It’s important to be engaged both in and outside the classroom. There’s some excellent opportunities available.

DeakinTALENT - DeakinTALENT is a hub for all things career, professional development, and practical legal experience at Deakin. It contains everything you will need from resume preparation workshops, resume and cover letter templates, job opportunities and Work Integrated Learning opportunities such as remote, research, or community legal centre internships. DeakinTALENT is an excellent tool and resource that many students wish they utilised sooner!

Clerkships - Clerkships can be intimidating. There’s lots of unknowns, concerns and general apprehensions before undertaking such a daunting endeavour. The Seasonal Clerkship Guide is a great resource for you to access all the information you need about clerkships. You can find it on the DLSS website under the ‘Publications’ tab. One key piece of information that many JD students may not be aware of is that seasonal clerkships *are paid*! This means that if you are currently working, you will be able to request unpaid leave at your usual job, while participating in a seasonal clerkship. If you still have more questions, contact the DLSS Commercial Careers team.

Judges Associateships – Judges associates are a kind of personal assistant to a particular judge, or sometimes to a Court at large (known as the Reserve Associates pool). Judges associateships can be undertaken prior to graduation, and for this reason can be an excellent way to gain practical legal experience for JD students. Prospective candidates can interview for the Merits List, a list of potential associates from which Judges seeking an associate can pick, or can apply for particular associateships directly through a range of means including LinkedIn, direct application, or the Courts/Victorian Public Services careers page. When applying for an associateship, think about areas of law that might interest you, and also research the Judge you are hoping to work for! Associateships teach valuable skills such as legal research, legal writing, and legal reasoning, and are often a fast-track to the Bar.

OTHER WAYS OF GAINING EXPERIENCE

Practical legal experience is an area that is a source of anxiety for many Juris Doctor students who many not feel as able to engage in traditional avenues such as clerkships or paralegal work while they are studying. While clerkships and judges associateship are absolutely avenues that JD students should explore, here are some tips for gaining practical legal experience.

Deakin Law Clinic – the Deakin Law Clinic is a community legal service offering free legal advice and assistance to people experiencing disadvantage in their access to justice, or whose matters are conducted in the public interest. JD students can participate in assisting with real cases at the Deakin Law Clinic via the MLJ739 unit, across a range of legal practice areas including commercial law, criminal law, employment law, or venture law! In addition to practical legal experience this is worth a unit of credit.

MLJ738: Professional Legal Practice – this unit allows JD students to engaged in practical legal placements in research, remote, or firm based settings, gaining a unit of credit while getting the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge obtained through their studies. DeakinTALENT is a great start to see what kinds of advertised placements are available.

Community Legal Centres – Community Legal Centres are an amazing avenue for gaining legal experience, as they are often stretched for resources and dealing with a wide range of matters. Find your local centre and see if they are after volunteers or current law students!

NETWORKING

Networking is an important part of being a law student. Getting to know people can provide you with useful advice and a foot in the door for clerkships and graduate roles!

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an excellent professional networking tool that will allow you to engage with the legal profession and broaden your academic connections. It is highly advised for law students and professionals to utilise LinkedIn as it is often required by employers when applying for legal roles. While you may already have a presence on LinkedIn, consider adding you law studies and beginning to shape your new interests and connections on your profile!

Connecting with Lecturers

Your studies are a great time to gain references and form connections with your lecturers. If you have a subject that you enjoyed, or performed will within, don’t hesitate to reach out to lecturers and ask for their support.

Professional development opportunities with the DLSS

The DLSS offer a range of opportunities, from sector themed seminars to ‘Meet the Professionals’ nights and firm hosted events. There is also significant informal professional development gained from meeting other students who have found law adjacent work.

RESOURCES

It can feel overwhelming having so many things thrown at you in your first few weeks Sorting through what resources you should be using is sometimes just as hard as finding them in the first place

Here’s a few of our favourite helpful links to browse to get your started.

AGLC4 PDF - The Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition) is challenging to grasp at first, however it is vital for your studies and will continue to be your referencing guide when you enter the workforce. The Melbourne Law School provides free, downloadable access to the AGLC4 at this link:

https://law unimelb edu au/mulr/aglc/about

Victorian Law Foundation - By subscribing to the Victorian Law Foundation, you will gain access to exclusive networking events (both virtual and in person), interesting articles and excellent opportunities for personal development. The law is ever evolving; this subscription will ensure that you are keeping up to date with new developments and meeting as many interesting people as you can:

https://www victorialawfoundation org au/

Law Institute of Victoria - Through your JD you will have access to a discounted student membership with the Law Institution of Victoria. The LIV Young Lawyers Law Student Membership provides exclusive access to a broad range of resources and opportunities that will help you navigate the initial stages of your legal career, including education opportunities, wellbeing support, updates on developments in the industry and to the law, and more. Membership is free for students!:

https://www.liv.asn.au/web.

BarNet Jade - BarNet Jade is a free online legal research platform. Signing up will give you access to a wealth of Australian cases, which have excellent hyperlinking systems that make it easy to toggle between old decisions and new ones. By signing up, you will also get emails about the latest news. You can also subscribe to certain digest feeds to get specific updates emailed to you, be it by court or jurisdiction: https://jade.io/.