Et Cetera 2024/1

ISSUE ONE 2024

ET CETERA

Wellbeing in the Law

ISSUE 1 2024

ET CETERA WELLBEING IN THE LAW

INTRODUCTION Et Cetera is the flagship publication of the Deakin Law Students' Society (DLSS). It seeks to reflect the Deakin Law School zeitgeist of the time, and resonates with the interests of Deakin Law students. It aims to provoke thoughtful discussion about issues relevant to our readers as students, future legal professionals and citizens of the world.

The conversation surrounding wellbeing in the law is incredibly valuable and one that cannot be discussed enough. We hope that you take the time to read these beautiful insights and consider how you can contribute to your own wellbeing.

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief Editor Editor Editor Design Design

| | | | | |

Jordan Cook Madeleine French Ruby Evans Priyanka Sharma Madeleine French Jordan Cook

CONTRIBUTORS Adam Marshall Alannah Evans Bilal Mohtadi College of Law Dash Reid Isabella Hitchcock Maria Joseph Dr. Peter Macmillan Sally Schwartz Shaniya Vilash Zoe Chan

We thank the College of Law for their generous sponsorship of this publication and their ongoing support of the DLSS.

i

ABOUT THE DEAKIN LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY The Deakin Law Students’ Society (DLSS) is one of Deakin University’s oldest and largest student societies. We are a student-run organisation which aims to assist Deakin law students in making the most of their time at law school.

Across our portfolios, we work to provide a range of events and services to assist you at every stage of your degree. Whether you want to improve your grades or make new friends, the DLSS is your one-stop shop for all things law at Deakin.

For more information you can find the DLSS on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn or via our website.

DISCLAIMER This publication is provided free of charge by the Deakin Law Students’ Society. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not to be held as those of the DLSS, Deakin Law School or Deakin University. The DLSS, Deakin Law School and Deakin University do not necessarily endorse these opinions; they belong solely to the authors.

COPYRIGHT This publication is subject to copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may, in any form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any process, without prior written consent from the DLSS.

ii

PRESIDENT’S FOREWARD COURTNEY MCKENZIE 2024 PRESIDENT

Welcome!

The quest for that perfect equilibrium remains

elusive

even

for

the

most

I am incredibly excited to introduce you

seasoned lawyers. This is largely due to

all to the Communication Team’s most

the understanding that what constitutes

anticipated publication, Et Cetera.

'balance' varies greatly from person to person. It's an inherently individualistic

I trust you will find this edition to be as

pursuit that evolves with each individual.

engaging as I have. Wellbeing is a crucial

What truly matters is arming yourself with

topic however often overlooked, yet Et

the knowledge, strategies and mentors

Cetera

that will steer you in the right direction.

has

skilfully

significance,

not

only

dissected

its

for

law

us

as

students but also its evolution as we

I hope you discover, as I have, that this

transition into legal practitioners.

issue serves as one of those invaluable strategies. The diverse perspectives and

Entering what is dubbed as the 'peak'

insights that the team has infused into this

assignment

to

publication are truly remarkable. I assure

grapple with stress, anxiety, overthinking

season,

it

is

common

you that you will find it to be an engaging

and overwhelming feelings. Additionally,

and enlightening read.

the external pressures to build a robust resume,

and

Lastly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to

network also intensifies. Understandably,

gain

legal

experience

Jordan and the entire Communications

such expectations can take a toll, and it's

Team, who have laboured tirelessly to

vital that we acknowledge and address

bring this issue to life. The dedication and

these challenges.

effort invested behind the scenes are truly commendable, and I am confident that

I urge you all to delve deeply into this

every

publication.

recognise the immense value that these

The

Communications

Team

has truly excelled in crafting an issue that is not only extensively researched but also highly relevant. The challenge of achieving balance

within

ever-present.

our

profession

However,

it's

remains

crucial

to

acknowledge, as the issue highlights, that it is perfectly acceptable not to have all the answers.

iii

reader

of

this

efforts have yielded.

publication

will

DIRECTOR’S FOREWARD JORDAN COOK 2024 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

It’s no secret that the legal profession

Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank my

often carries a high workload, stress and

officers Maddy, Ruby and Pri for their

great challenge. Commencing early in law

dedication and hard work. It is with their

school,

with

diligence that we were able to source

multiple deadlines and exams, internships

law

students

contributors, edit the articles and bring

and

this stunning issue to life.

clerkships,

daunting

are

faced

and

ultimately

the

of

entering

the

process

workforce. It is therefore imperative that

Further, without the generosity of our

wellbeing

contributors and sponsor, College of Law,

is

addressed

early

and

thoroughly.

Et Cetera would not be possible. They have taken time away from their busy lives

Being a law student balancing competing

to

priorities, I often find myself needing to

insights,

step

special to take away from each article,

back

reminding

and

take

myself

a

that

deep my

breath,

goals

are

share

their

personal

providing

us

stories

with

and

something

and I thank them greatly for this.

achievable and everything will turn out the way it is intended. I hope that this issue

Notably, Alice and the Education Portfolio

allows you to do the same, providing you

have graciously allowed us to partner with

with the tools you require to manage your

them for their spectacular Wellbeing in

wellbeing.

the Law Panel. By doing so, they have provided Et Cetera with a space to be

Therefore, it is with great pride that I

published and distributed, allowing us to

present our theme of Et Cetera: Wellbeing

continue the amazing efforts made last

in the Law. Partnering with the Education

year to return to print. We hope that our

Portfolio,

several

publication builds on the contributions

perspectives on this highly crucial topic.

this

made during the panel, continuing the

From

conversation through print.

students

issue

provides

juggling

extracurricular

activities, life outside of university and applying for graduate positions, to advice

Lastly, I would like to thank you, the

from professionals who provide insight

reader. By supporting the work of the

into their personal experiences, there is

Communications Portfolio, you allow us to

no area left unaddressed.

continue doing what we love and for that, we cannot thank you enough. I hope that

There have been a great deal of people

you have gained as much insight as I have

who have given their time and expertise to

when reading these incredible articles.

the creation of this publication, for whom I greatly appreciate.

iv

Contents 01

BALANCING TWO COURTS

Sally Schwartz 03

STILL FIGURING IT OUT: A FULFILLING JOURNEY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WELLBEING MEANS TO ME

Zoe Chan 06

DAMAGES INCURRED

Priyanka Sharma

07

THE IMPORTANCE OF WELLBEING: FROM AN IN-HOUSE PERSPECTIVE

Shaniya Vilash 09

A CAREER AS A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER: WHAT CAN LAW STUDENTS EXPECT?

Maria Joseph

11

HOW TO TALK ABOUT DISABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE AND IMPROVE INCLUSIVITY IN LAW

College of Law

v

15

A JURIS DOCTORATE’S PERSPECTIVE

Alannah Evans 17

FINDING BALANCE: A JOURNEY FROM LAW TO WELLNESS

Bilal Mohtadi 19

THE GIFT OF PERSPECTIVE: TRANSFORMING CHALLENGES INTO MOMENTS OF LEARNING AND GROWTH

Adam Marshall

21

CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR LAW DEGREE

Dr. Peter Macmillan

23

HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD: NAVIGATING WELLBEING ON EXCHANGE

Dash Reid 25

POST-GRADUATION AND BEGINNING AT A COMMERCIAL LAW FIRM

Isabella Hitchcock

vi

BALANCING TWO COURTS

by SALLY SCHWARTZ

To most law students, a court is something you hear about ad nauseam throughout your years of studying. To most tennis players, a court is the place where you spend the majority of your time either on, or thinking about. For me, it's both. As a second-year law student and a professional wheelchair tennis player who has her sights set on the 2028 Paralympic Games, courts, in all forms, take up the majority of my life. Pursuing two very different and time-consuming disciplines is a daunting task, and when poorly managed can greatly impact my output and subsequently my wellbeing. However, creating stable routines that are facilitated by a strong network of support gives me the best chance at making my dreams of both academic and sporting success a reality.

IMPORTANCE OF TIME MANAGEMENT IN ACHIEVING SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES AND MAINTAINING WELLBEING: In 2028 I hope to both compete in a Paralympic Games AND complete my degree. A bit ambitious? Yes, definitely. Completely crazy? Absolutely. Possible? Sure, provided that I have, and more importantly stick to, routines that enable me to manage tasks from both areas effectively, better known as good time management skills.

Time management looks different for everyone. For some, it’s as simple as doing what needs to be done when free time becomes available. For others, such as myself, it is creating strict and detailed timetables. Every Sunday evening, I use the traffic light system to understand my availability for the upcoming week, colour-coding times for when I am available, have university or tennis or have free time. This allows me to manage my expectations of how many tasks I can get done in one day and it also ensures that I am valuing my time and wellbeing. I then create a list of what tasks or events, for both university and tennis need to be done or are happening within the upcoming week. With this list, I break each event or task into much MUCH smaller ones, sometimes as small as just setting up a document ready for an assignment! Using both methods allows me to get tasks done in the small windows of time between university and tennis, allowing me to have more time for myself afterwards. Most importantly, every time I’m able to cross a task off the list, I feel a sense of accomplishment. Being able to see a list of tasks gradually decrease feels like a small win every day. And these ‘wins’ boost my wellbeing immensely.

1

Sally is studying a double degree of Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, with a focus on History. Alongside her studies, Sally plays professional wheelchair tennis and hopes to represent Australia at the 2028 Paralympic Games. In her limited spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking and is currently learning Spanish.

The most important part of time management is making sure it works for you. We all know what they say about the best laid plans, so acknowledging that the systems you create may not always be effective and need to be easily adaptable is imperative to maintaining a high level of wellbeing.

SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH A STRONG NETWORK OF SUPPORT: I’m sure most law students would agree that sometimes our workload can be overwhelming. The occasional crushing weight of long (and sometimes incredibly boring) readings or lengthy, content heavy lectures can negatively impact our productivity and wellbeing. For me, I often find myself feeling the most overwhelmed when assignment due dates and tennis tournaments fall within the same week, an event that occurs far too often for my liking! During these times, I rely heavily on my support system.

My support network is made up of my family, close friends, lecturers and coaches. I use my family and friends as my emotional support. I lovingly force them to listen to me rant about my stresses and not let them get a word in for about an hour. Sometimes, these very one-sided conversations are all that I need to be able to work out my problems and find a way through the jumble of tasks. My coaches and lecturers are obviously for the more specific needs. I’ve made sure that they both understand the balancing act I’m trying to undertake so they also have clearer and more realistic expectations of my performance. With my coaches, I often ask to move training around where possible so I can attend lectures or tutorials, or sometimes just have a larger block to get work done.

My lecturers and I work together to make sure that when I am on tour, I am still getting the same content as my peers, and for when my schedule becomes too intense allowing for extensions. These people are the main reason I am able to keep up with the demands of both studying law and playing tennis. They may not always be able to solve my problems or fully mitigate my stress, but they are always there for me to come and not only express my goals, but my concerns too.

Trying to achieve the goals I have set for myself will not come easy, and at times it has and it will affect my wellbeing. However, establishing clear and realistic routines and surrounding myself with people who will support me through the good and the bad has given me the best chance at achieving these goals and balance two courts.

2

STILL FIGURING IT OUT:

MY ORIGIN STORY

A FULFILLING JOURNEY

Law school can be very tough, and it was certainly that way for me.

TO UNDERSTAND WHAT

Being the kind of person who often

WELLBEING MEANS TO

chooses the least-trodden path, I

ME

financially

decided to move interstate and be

by ZOE CHAN

started

independent

university

–

when and

I the

subsequent isolation and increased responsibility meant that I quickly

Wellbeing in the legal profession is receiving much-needed attention, a shift from my days in law school.

However, amidst the current focus on wellbeing,

there's

a

danger

of

it

becoming just another box to tick in our overachieving and overthinking profession.

This

approach

detrimental

rather

than

can

be

helpful

to

mental health.

checking boxes. Each of us has a unique journey, and there's no onethrough

approach.

mental

health

My

journey

in

the

law

certainly has not been perfect and 10 years into my career, I’m still figuring it out.

So, at the outset, I want you all to know – there is no such thing as “perfection” in being kind to yourself.

You don’t wake up one day and “ace wellbeing”. It’s an ongoing journey – but an important part of your life that you should always dedicate space to authentically navigate.

I am the Principal Lawyer at Anika Legal and I have taken a long, windy road to understand what wellbeing means to me. I want to share my story with you in case it gives you a helpful perspective as you continue on your very own journey.

3

myself

situations

in

some

that

unsafe

significantly

impacted my ability to study. When things got really tough, I completely unravelled and fell off the rails in almost every facet of my life. At one point, I was in danger of being expelled altogether.

Luckily, my university offered free counselling

Thriving in a legal career goes beyond

size-fits-all

found

sessions

and

I

was

encouraged to take advantage of this. What started as a “check box exercise”

to

ensure

I

could

persuade my university not to expel me

ended

up

being

my

saving

grace. For the first time ever, I was made

aware

mental

of

health

the

concept

and

was

of

given

support to get myself out of a tough personal situation.

This was the very first time I was guided to know that asking for help is okay – and that there are support systems out there. I was able to get myself back on track with a bit of effort and I promised myself that, going forward, I would continuously and

intentionally

prioritise

my

mental health.

I then promptly forgot this lesson when I felt better. I thought I was “fixed”.

Once I graduated law school, I took a

I was lucky to have very supportive

year off and moved to Melbourne.

colleagues (who are well trained in

During this year, I worked casual

mental

retail

immediately intervened and sent me

roles

and

just

focused

on

resting. In hindsight, taking that year

health

first

aid!)

who

off to my GP.

off was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It gave me space to catch

From there, my workplace placed me

up on the personal development that I

on stress leave – hilariously, I tried to

had

fight them on it and begged them to

neglected

during

law

school.

Again, I promised myself that, going

let

forward, I would prioritise rest and

negative space I was in, I still clung

care for myself.

to the idea that I could just “work

me

harder”

work

to

more.

overcome

Despite

it.

the

What

As I had done before, I then promptly

followed was a multi-year journey to

also forgot this lesson when I secured

engage with professional help that is

my

continuing

dream

graduate

role

at

a

community legal centre.

today.

Thankfully,

this

time, I didn’t forget the lesson I learned:

LEARNING TO ASK FOR HELP In the early parts of my career, I persistently grappled with imposter syndrome as I was keenly aware that my “origin story” was unusual. I was often my worst critic, and I thought the solution was to work hard and overachieve.

Prioritising wellbeing is not a once off “training course”.

I persistently worked incredibly late hours, often against my managers’ wishes. Outside of work, I spent most of

my

time

in

extra-curricular

commitments and volunteering. When I became increasingly lost, I thought it was because I wasn’t doing enough to “catch up” – so I enrolled in a Master’s program as well.

Things finally came to a head in 2021.

One day, I received an innocuous work email that was really no big deal at all – and I just started crying and could not stop.

Once you start to grapple with the process authentically, it’s a lifelong journey that ultimately gives you a much better quality of life – no matter what comes your way.

CURATING A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS THE AUTHENTIC YOU I’ve now been the Principal Lawyer at Anika Legal for over two years. I’d love to say my mental health has been perfect since – but that would not be the truth.

4

Despite how much I love my job and

We acknowledge that humans have

my colleagues, it’s still been a really

feelings that go up and down, and we

tough

few

happens,

years

and

unlearn

a

health

habits

it’s

lifetime

because

life

don’t put pressure on each other to

challenging of

and

to

be emotionally ‘sound’ all the time.

bad

mental

One way we cultivate this is via a

relearn

new

weekly ‘feelings’ check-in where the

approaches to being well.

goal of the meeting is not to fix our feelings

or

track

our

emotional

However, the strides I have taken

trajectory – it’s simply to be aware of

during these two years or so toward

emotions and let them exist as they

wellbeing have been monumental. I

are. This team habit allows us to be

can honestly say I am a different

emotionally safe with each other, and

person these days, and feel a lot more

to feel comfortable being ourselves

prepared to take on the world no

authentically at work. This helps us

matter what it throws at me.

support each other at work and also builds

the

foundations

needed

to

approach tough conversations safely.

It’s been a long journey for me – I think I spent more of life resisting wellbeing than actually working on it.

The key to this has been the space my colleagues and I have intentionally curated together that is genuinely supportive of who we are, as we are.

But now, I can safely say that I am glad that I was dragged, kicking and screaming, to seek help and support.

I have also learned that doing the work to prioritise wellbeing is not an overnight affair – you don’t become miraculously

resilient

after

one

counselling session. And once you’ve done the work, unexpected things can still happen. But if you put in the time to understand yourself and what you

need,

be

comfortable

with

imperfection, and actively work with the people around you to create a safe and supportive work culture – it all pays off.

This time, I’m not about to forget any

Creating

this

space

removed

the

additional pressure of putting on a “professional mask” to come to work, which can often be a big source of stress. We do not demand each other to be thriving every day, and actively create trust so that we each feel comfortable being exactly as we are at work.

5

of the lessons I’ve learned. Ask me in five years, and I can’t wait to tell you about the new lessons I have learned on my wellbeing journey.

DAMAGES INCURRED

LAW STUDENT REALISES IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, JUST COMMON SENSE

by PRIYANKA SHARMA In the revered halls of the Deakin LC Building, where students from all campus faculties fight for a study space, our Deakin law student marches armed with intricate, long winded legal theories, ready to present to his lecturer.

With completed readings and case notes, our Deakin law student sits in class on edge, waiting for the lecturer to fall into his trap. His trap being, the lecturer simply mentioning the term our law student knows almost everything about.

Alas the question is mentioned and our law student, equipped with all of their knowledge, launches his hand way up high before stating their meticulously crafted argument, weaving a tangled web of legal doctrine, precedent and Latin. As they completed their answer, they awaited the thunderous applause and accolades that surely awaited them.

However, instead of applause, our Deakin Law student was met with a deafening silence. Whilst they decided to take it as a win, the lecturer, bemused, simply stared at them, before uttering the words no law student ever wants to hear.

“Try again.”

Our law student looks blankly at the lecturer, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. Confused as ever, another voice fills the room with a one word guess of an answer.

“Correct!” states the lecturer, as ourl aw student sinks lower in their chair.

Enjoyed this edition of Damages Incurred? Read more on our DLSS website.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF WELLBEING: FROM AN IN-HOUSE PERSPECTIVE

by S H A N I Y A V I L A S H Legal Counsel at Treasury Wine Estates

It is no secret that the concept of health and wellbeing has increasingly been recognised as a crucial aspect of professional life in the legal industry. Most lawyers face challenges in balancing demanding workloads, personal life, client expectations and their health. Although in-house legal roles often have a general reputation for having better work-life balance than traditional private practice firms, there are still stresses and unique challenges that come with the nature of such counsel roles, which can jeopardise an individual’s wellbeing if not addressed appropriately. This article will explore the intersection of wellbeing and in-house law in Australia, and how individuals working in in-house teams can maintain their wellbeing despite the obstacles they may face.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR WELLBEING, EVEN INHOUSE? The trend of lawyers moving into in-house roles sooner or even instead of traditional law firm roles in recent years undoubtedly demonstrates the benefits seen of moving in-house. But what may not be as apparent about these roles are the other tensions that can be felt behind the scenes. As in-house lawyers are the internal legal personnel for a company (their sole client), they can face pressures to balance competing priorities, navigate complex organisational dynamics, manage high-stakes legal matters exacerbated by being seen as a cost centre with tight budgets, dealing with non-legal colleagues that may try to push the boundaries, and potentially being under-resourced for the amount of work that flows through the team. In addition to this, lawyers are generally also ‘predisposed to being driven, often needing to prove

something to someone or to earn someone’s approval’. 1 These are some of the things that can lead to increased risks of burn out, isolation, lack of personal time, feeling under-valued and higher levels of stress and anxiety, which can ultimately negatively impact an in-house lawyer’s overall wellbeing.

According to the Department of Health Victoria and the Better Health Channel, wellbeing is defined as ‘a complex combination of a person's physical, mental, emotional and social health factors’, and is ‘strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction’; essentially how one feels

about themselves and their life.2 Using this lens to view the in-house landscape, it is important that in-house counsels protect and maintain their wellbeing as it can impact upon all facets of life; from performance and productivity at work, to better work-life balance, higher energy levels and better overall fulfilment. Prolonged stress can not only directly impact upon decision making and productivity, but it can ‘reduce motivation, engagement and focus’.

Although3

wellbeing may mean different things to different people, prioritising and taking care of one’s wellbeing ultimately results in a healthier and more sustainable life.

7

HOW CAN ONE MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THEIR WELLBEING IN-HOUSE?

1. Set boundaries This means setting up a structured environment whereby there is a balance between meaningful work, values, mindfulness and social interaction (both inside and outside of work). This can often be claimed as having true work-life balance so that work challenges or stresses can be stabilised with other more joyful aspects of life and usually requires support from management.

2. Recognise the signs Having self-awareness about wellbeing and the triggers or signs that are impacting it, is usually a good starting point to then understand what may need to be done to improve wellbeing. Without noticing the tells, it may often get a lot worse before it gets better and can then take longer to positively change one’s wellbeing.

3. Lean into the resources A simple google search can bring up many resources online that are easily accessible and free.

There are also member assistance programs through various organisations which offer access to qualified professionals, including psychologists, counsellors, social workers and management coaches, who can provide help on a confidential basis.

4. Get outside The Australia & New Zealand Mental Health Association has emphasised that getting out into nature is an essential component of day-to-day life, as it is the ideal place to boost your mental health. It has been found that ‘a walk in a natural area significantly lowers stress hormone, cortisol, 4

which can trigger anxiety and depression’. So even if it doesn’t feel like there’s enough time in the day, commit to just 10 minutes to get away from the multiple screens.

In summary, there are a number of ways of improving wellbeing and it’s important that maintaining it is seen as a priority for all who work in-house.

1 ‘Three Tangible Ways General Counsel Can Drive Productivity (and Avoid Burnout) for In-House Teams in 2020’, Australian Corporate Counsel Association (Web Page) <https://www.acc.com/chapters-networks/chapters/australia/news/inside-house/part-three-threetangible-ways-general-counsel-can-drive-productivity-and-avoid-burnout-for-in-house-teams-in-2020#.

2 ‘Wellbeing’, Better Health Channel Victoria, (Web Page) <https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/wellbeing>.

3 ‘Extreme’ stress linked to high turnover of in-house counsel at ASX100 companies’, Thomson Reuters, (Web Page, 25 September 2023) <https://insight.thomsonreuters.com.au/legal/posts/extreme-stress-linked-to-high-turnover-of-in-house-counsel-at-asx100companies>.

4 Cassie Steel, ‘Getting Out into the Great Outdoors to Boost Your Mental Health’, The Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association, (Web Page, 11 December 2019) <https://anzmh.asn.au/blog/mental-health/great-outdoors-boost-your-mental-health>.

8

Lawyers play a unique role in protecting and promoting human rights. Through litigation, efforts,

advocating they

and

uphold

lobbying

standards

of

treatment for all people and seek justice for victims of violations. Over the past couple

of

months,

I

have

had

the

pleasure of seeing the work of human rights lawyers in action by interning at a leading human rights non-governmental organisation in Nepal that focuses on refugee protection.

A CAREER AS A HUMAN RIGHTS

Throughout my time here, I have learnt that

Nepal

prevent

the

has

policy

barriers

protection

of

that

refugees

fleeing to the country. That is, there is no national legislation relating to the status of refugees in Nepal and the country is

LAWYER:

not signatory to the UN 1951 Refugee

WHAT CAN LAW STUDENTS

international law. As a result, a large

Convention, which guarantees refugees

EXPECT?

their

fundamental

rights

under

number of those fleeing persecution are housed in camps across Nepal without access to basic necessities and thus,

by

their rights are compromised.

MARIA JOSEPH

By learning about this situation, hearing from victims and witnessing the condition of the camps, I was exposed to the dire reality that thousands are faced with. I was compelled to empathise with the refugees and become overly involved in their cases. Because of this attachment, my wellbeing was slowly worsening and as

an

aspiring

human

rights

lawyer

myself, I was curious about how working in the field would affect my wellbeing in Maria is a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts student at Deakin University. She currently lives in Kathmandu and is interning at the International

the long run. So, I decided to ask some of Nepal’s most prominent human rights lawyers to find out how they do it.

Institute for Human Rights, Environment and

My key question was whether it was

Development (INHURED International).

emotionally taxing working in their field and if so, why this was the case. After speaking

to

various

human

rights

defenders and drawing on my personal experience, I concluded that two primary reasons influenced lawyer wellbeing in this line of work.

9

The first is that because you are directly involved with upsetting situations, it is natural to empathise with your clients when they recall their situation to you. As I mentioned, this is something that I felt firsthand, and it reminds me of a quote by Rachel Naomi Remen: “The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as realistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.”

The second reason, and one that was more surprising to me, was the frustration that many lawyers felt while working in their field. Human rights issues are complex and multifactorial by nature, and as a result, the policy developments and results that they envisioned for their clients simply did not manifest in some cases. In the context of Nepal, my colleague, who had been advocating for national refugee protection law, mentioned that because the process of getting justice is lengthy, it was extremely disappointing and frustrating at times. Unfortunately, all lawyers that I spoke to mentioned that at least once in their career, they felt as though they were limited in their ability to insight meaningful change and that this had a direct toll on their wellbeing.

However, despite its challenges, all lawyers also brought up that working for social justice is an equally rewarding experience. Being a human rights lawyer allows you to understand the real problems in society and be a part of bringing about significant change in those areas. So, I asked these lawyers what advice they had for aspiring students and for tips on managing wellbeing in this field of work. They emphasised:

Do not get too attached to the results, you might not see them at times.

However, understand that the work that you do is a piece of a larger puzzle, the wider social justice effort. Without your work, the puzzle cannot be completed.

Although it is important to empathise with your clients, you should not immerse yourself in other’s situations. Your job as a lawyer is to look at their situation from a legal perspective to provide more practical solutions. Do, however, try to draw inspiration from your client’s resilience.

Keep up to date with national and world affairs to properly comprehend and understand the context behind complex human rights issues. Working as a human rights lawyer may change your worldview. You might become more cynical, more appreciative or both. It is good to be aware of these changes.

The importance of lawyer wellbeing is not a contested topic. It is integral to take care of yourself so that you can work effectively. Therefore, if you are passionate about using the legal system to catalyse social change, these tips are a great starting point for managing your wellbeing while working as a human rights lawyer. As you progress in your studies and career and learn more about what to expect from the role, continue finding strategies that work for you and allow you to meaningfully contribute to the global social justice effort.

10

HOW TO TALK ABOUT DISABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE AND IMPROVE INCLUSIVITY IN LAW Law is competitive at every level, from gaining entry to law school to attaining the most sought-after law firm clerkships, PLT placements and government internships. Graduates living with disability can find this especially daunting as they navigate the gauntlet of whether to share information about their disability, how their employer might respond and how this might impact their career progression.

The College of Law’s National Career Advisor Ruth Beran recently hosted a webinar, Navigating a Legal Career with a Disability, to shine a light on this issue. Supported by National Careers Professional Susan Pincus, also from the College, panellists included corporate lawyer Kate Long from DALA (Disabled Australian Lawyers Association), Sonia Sawant, Deputy Managing Lawyer of Victorian Legal Aid and also from DALA, Rosie Lane, Access and Inclusion Index Lead at the Australian Network on Disability, and law student Thomas Gedye, who completed an internship with the Commonwealth Attorney-General through the ‘Stepping Into’ program, and has since been offered an ongoing role.

LIVING WITH VISIBLE (AND INVISIBLE) DISABILITY A majority of the panellists live with either a visible or less visible disability. Thomas Gedye, a third-year law and criminology student, wears a cochlear implant on his right ear. Kate Long is autistic and has ADHD. A New Zealand native, she completed her College of Law studies through College of Law New Zealand before moving to Australia in March 2020.

“Like many neurodivergent women, I wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood,” Kate shared. “I started my career as a lawyer and was then diagnosed. So, I’ve been navigating what that means for my career and personal life.”

Alongside Sonia Sawant, who wears hearing aids, Kate is part of the DALA leadership group.

“Through DALA, I’ve been able to connect with other disabled lawyers, including neurodivergent lawyers like me. Earlier this year, I was awarded Wellness Advocate of the Year at the 30 Under 30 Law Awards.”

HOW TO TALK ABOUT DISABILITY IN THE WORKPLACE Recently, a range of terms and euphemisms have emerged around disability, including ‘diverse ability’ or calling disability a ‘superpower’. While well-intended, such terminology can have an adverse effect, minimising the difficulties of one in five Australians who have a disability.

“There’s nothing wrong with having a disability,” Rosie Lane points out. “Language is very powerful. There’s still a stigma associated with the word ‘disability’. By using words that steer around this term, you’re steering around the stigma.”

Instead, Rosie prefers to focus on accessibility. “Language is very personal. People will have their own way of talking about their disability or their lived experience. Always be guided by the individual.”

11

An example of this is referring to autism as a ‘superpower’. “This term gets thrown around quite a lot when people talk about autism and other disabilities,” Kate says. “It’s human instinct to try and make people feel better about being disabled, but it really isn’t necessary.”

As Kate explains, the reality for many with autism is not being ‘super-smart’ or possessing perfect recall. “Rather, it can be hard to hold down a job, complete a degree or get through the day, using language like ‘superpower’ undermines the issues that a lot of neurodivergent people face.”

There are ways you can take the pressure off in these situations Kate says. “If you notice phrases like ‘diverse ability’ or ‘superpower’ thrown around, perhaps have a conversation with the disabled person and let them take the lead. So the emotional labour isn’t always on the disabled person to change the conversation.”

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A LEGAL WORKPLACE IS INCLUSIVE? Entering a new workplace can be intimidating for anyone. If you are aiming to gauge how inclusive your new workplace might be, the panel has a few tips:

1.

Check the website. Does the organisation have a disability network? Are there any policies around disability? Are disabled lawyers being promoted? If the website is silent, it can be a sign the firm is not the right fit.

2.

Ask for ‘reasonable accommodations’ throughout the recruitment process. Give the HR department a call. You can obtain a sense of how tuned in the organisation is to reasonable accommodations.

3.

Speak to other disabled lawyers. Try organisations like DALA, or informally through LinkedIn.

SHOULD YOU SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DISABILITY? The decision to share information about your disability is entirely up to you. For those with a visible disability, this may be less of an option, but for those with a less visible disability, this question comes up quite often.

“There’s no legal requirement that you have to disclose your disability at any stage with your employer, the only time you do is when it might affect your ability to do your job,” Sonia explains.

“My hearing impairment was important to share as I am a solicitor advocate. I was lucky to have a very supportive manager and organisation, it makes you value your employer.”

Having these kinds of conversations can help you assess whether the role is the right fit for you.

Do you feel comfortable bringing your ‘whole self’ to work? How much is your employer willing to support you?

12

As a law student new to the workforce, knowing when to share information about your disability can be challenging. “That’s why Stepping Into is such a great program,” Thomas says. “Disability is at the forefront of the conversation.”

Rosie again notes the terms we use are important. “We talk about sharing disability information, not disclosing, it takes away the feeling that you have to share it.”

Applicants for the Stepping Into program are not required to share their disability. “Rather, we’ll ask what adjustments in the workplace could be made to support you. The only thing we pass onto hiring managers are any details of workplace adjustments that you would like passed on.” It is also important to remember that adjustments don’t end on day one.

“What you think will work for you may not be the same once you’re in the workplace,” Rosie says. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting weeks, months or even years into a role and asking for a discussion about how you can adjust your workplace reasonably to meet your needs.”

HAVE LEGAL WORKPLACES EVOLVED TO BETTER INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES? In short, yes. But according to Sonia there is still a long way to go.

“In my organisation we have an anonymous peer support network, we support each other, share stories and advocate for better inclusion and diversity within the organisation. We have a Disability Action Plan and a Diversity and Inclusion team.”

This type of support and experience varies significantly between organisations. Some see Diversity & Inclusion as a ‘tick-box’ exercise. “For example, you might be asked whether you need ‘reasonable adjustments’ when registering for a job and even though you may state what you need, nothing will be done,” Sonia explains.

While Thomas had negative experiences prior to his internship, mostly in the education system, he described his Stepping Into experience as “fantastic”.“Right from the start, they were so concerned about accessibility and providing as many accommodations as they could,” Thomas says. “The office was so conscious of what might make things difficult for me. On the Friday afternoon of my first week, my supervisor walked me out and spoke about the possibility of an extension. This was pretty incredible.”

INTERESTED IN AN INTERNSHIP? GIVE IT A GO! For students or recent graduates interested in an internship, Thomas advises the importance of highlighting your strengths.

“Everyone will be good at different things. Put your strengths at the forefront of your application and don’t be afraid to apply for things that might be outside your comfort zone,” Thomas says. “At the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s office, I’m involved in native title law. It’s not even taught at law school. I hadn’t done property law yet. It was a little bit of a shock but it was exciting to get outside of my comfort zone.”

“It’s so important to back yourself,” Kate says. “Go for roles that might be a little bit out of reach but you’re interested in, don’t discount yourself because you are disabled. Give it a go. Put your name out there.”

13

STEPPING INTO INTERNSHIPS The Stepping Into internships are paid and can be full time, part time and/or delivered flexibly. Summer internships may be longer, up to six or eight weeks. The internships include legal roles within government, private practice, companies or not for profits, and students can ask at the interview whether the internship counts towards PLT work experience.

“We offer Stepping Into internships nationally in nearly all capital cities and regional areas,” Rosie explains. “We’ve seen interns move for internships. Think about your capacity to relocate. We can’t support the cost of relocation or transport, so think about your support network.”

“You must nominate three positions you’re interested in as preferences,” Rosie outlines. “If you’re eligible, you’ll be interviewed for 30 minutes by one of my colleagues. We want to get to know you, what you’re interested in and what roles you might be a good fit for. If you’re shortlisted, the next step would be to put together a cover letter for that role, so it’s really targeted. Internships are paid. Host employers pay interns directly. Our team is there to support you and the supervisor throughout.”

More information: https://www.and.org.au/students-jobseekers/start-an-internship/ FAQs: https://www.and.org.au/students-jobseekers/stepping-into-intern-faqs POSITIVE ACTION TOWARDS CAREER ENGAGEMENT (PACE) MENTORING PACE Mentoring is a free, four-month mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disabilities to mentors from Australian Network on Disability’s member organisations. The program is focused on developing employability skills and confidence, and working towards career goals. Anybody over the age of 18 who identifies as having a disability, mental health condition or chronic illness is encouraged to apply for the program.

Applications are open all year and the program runs twice a year, April-August and AugustDecember.

More information: https://www.and.org.au/students-jobseekers/find-a-mentor/ FAQs: https://www.and.org.au/students-jobseekers/find-a-mentor/pace-mentee-faqs DALA LEGAL INTERNSHIPS These internships are a two-week unpaid internship program spaced over a five-week period.

Further information: “DALA was established in early 2021,” Sonia says. “We are still evolving as an organisation. We’ve established some good collaborations, including with the County Court of Victoria. This year we ran an internship program with the support of two judges. Three students were successful and placed in the internship program with judges.

Currently we are in discussion with the Magistrates Court of Victoria.”

More information: https://www.linkedin.com/company/disabled-australian-lawyersassociation/

14

A JURIS DOCTORATE’S PERSPECTIVE

by A L A N N A H E V A N S

There are various reasons why one undertakes a degree in law. For many, it is a desire to help others in the pursuit of fairness and justice. For some it may be to enter the family business, and others a prerequisite to a life in politics. The commonality amongst law students, however, is that studying law takes a considerable amount of your personal time that requires the student to find a work-life balance and struggle with wellbeing even before entering the workforce.

You may wonder how I know this; as a parent of two Deakin law

students and a Deakin Juris Doctorate student myself, we have this in common.

My journey to undertake a law degree started quite late in life and while I had wanted to undertake law since year 11, in the end, science won. It would not be until my 57th year that I would embark on this path.

Having established a

successful and rewarding career in science which still excites me today, it was time to scratch the itch so to speak and enrol in the Juris Doctor degree at Deakin commencing in 2022. I aim to complete my 24 units of study in T3 2025, that is the plan at least.

My task in preparing this opinion piece is not to bore the reader with my life story, my task is to provide my perspective on how I navigate studying the JD as a mature age student while working full time in a somewhat unrelated career. My disclaimer is that I do not assume to speak on behalf of my fellow cohort as we all have quite diverse backgrounds and motivations for studying the JD.

With

that being said, here we go. Balance is key, finding your groove is imperative.

Is it easy? No, but it is not impossible. It takes persistence, experimentation, organisation, commitment and above all else support, from family, friends, employers and the University. My family is a huge support, I sought their input before starting the degree.

Mindful that both my children are undergrad LLB

students, I wanted to assure them that our home life would not mirror the adversarial legal system we were now all students of.

I was reminded the other day that when I commenced my tertiary studies, the internet did not exist.

It was faster to handwrite my notes and only use a

typewriter to prepare my submissions. Journal articles had to be requested from the library and often took weeks to arrive, early preparation for assignments was critical. Some habits are hard to break, the first two trimesters of the JD I still hand-wrote all of my notes to the amusement of my children.

A lightbulb

moment for me, I have since evolved, however I do print all my lecture slides and seminar materials and annotate those. I have an unbreakable bond with pen and paper. It works for me.

15

I had completed my master’s degree in Biotechnology and Business at RMIT in 2009 and went into my first trimester of the JD armed with the confidence that I had also mastered the art of balancing post graduate study, full-time work and parenting young children. My children are older, I’m only doing two units a trimester, I’ve got this. How wrong could I have been. While I had researched the degree and was aware that the readings were the bulk (as opposed to the lab contact hours) and would take up a considerable amount of time, I wasn’t quite prepared for the re-reading while learning a whole new vocabulary. Challenge accepted, I read every textbook cover to cover in that first trimester. The evenings that I didn’t have seminars, I spent four to five hours studying and put in eight to ten hours each weekend day. By the end of trimester one I was exhausted. This is unsustainable I thought to myself, I cannot keep this pace up.

Second trimester started a little differently, work smarter not harder was the plan.

My work involves travel, the travel is sporadic and can be international or domestic.

I was heading into a busy travel period, and I needed a structure to

keep on top of the workload, but I also needed to have study free days.

My

carryon consists of mostly textbooks and laptops, and I maximise the travel as opportunities to stay on top of my coursework which enabled me to introduce study free evenings into my working week. The weekends were still consumed with full study days. I needed to tweak my schedule yet again. I have always completed the readings before listening to the lecture recordings, for me they consolidate my note taking. Others may do this in reverse. Find what works for you and switch it up if you need to. Very early on I was given a piece of advice regarding finances, unrelated to study but applicable, nonetheless. The advice was this: pay yourself before you pay your bills. I do this in a number of ways, I go for a walk, plan holidays, go for dinner, it could be the gym, a massage, anything that provides balance and works for you.

What works for me now is a simple adjustment to how I get through the lecture recordings. Having recently moved house, I am fortunate enough to be able to catch public transport to work rather than drive. I still complete my weekly readings first, but I now listen to the lecture recordings to and from work on the tram. It’s simple but it frees up hours otherwise spent studying in the evenings to do other things. This works for me now, but I am prepared and open to the possibility it won’t work for me next trimester, and so I will again readjust. I am halfway through my JD and am reminded of the words of a former JD student now finished and practicing:

‘the JD is a marathon not a sprint, you will obtain HD’s and passes, you will struggle, and you will soar, you will want to give up, it is hard, but you’ve got this.’

Actually, we’ve got this.

16

FINDING BALANCE:

A JOURNEY FROM LAW TO WELLNESS

by BILAL MOHTADI

As I write this article, I am reminded of the winding road that led me from my first Deakin degree in biomedicine to the unfamiliar world of law, and eventually to running my own law firm. It's a journey marked by twists and turns, moments of doubt, and ultimately, triumphs. But amidst the professional victories lies a deeper story — a narrative of resilience,

self-discovery

and

the

pursuit

of

holistic wellbeing.

Transitioning from one field to another is never easy.

Yet, when I made the decision to embark on a new career path, I did so with determination and an unwavering

belief

in

my

ability

to

adapt,

notwithstanding the deterrence from those around me. Little did I know that this journey would not only test my intellect and skills but also challenge my physical and mental endurance.

As I immersed myself into the demanding world of law both throughout my degree and professional career,

I

quickly

realised

the

importance

of

balance. It became apparent that success in any endeavour - be it studying for exams or navigating the intricacies of legal practice - hinged not only on diligence, late nights and dedication, but also on maintaining a sense of equilibrium in life… (excuse the biomedical pun).

In the pursuit of balance, I discovered three pillars that became the foundation of my wellbeing: family and friends, fitness and mindfulness. These pillars provided me with the resilience and clarity required to navigate the complexities of the legal profession and to mitigate the unhealthy long days and late nights.

17

Family and friends both served as my anchor. They are a source of unwavering support and love that provided solace during difficult times. Their encouragement fuelled my determination and reminded me of the importance of staying connected to what truly matters amidst the demands of work. It was my family and friends that reminded me that the work will still be there tomorrow and that a break would do me more good than bad.

Physical fitness became my sanctuary. The gym and outdoor running developed into a refuge where I could channel stress into strength. Regular visits to the gym not only rejuvenated my body but also rejuvenated my spirit, giving me the energy needed to tackle each day.

And the final pillar is mindfulness, which is an invaluable tool in my journey towards wellbeing. Through meditation and introspection, I learned to control my thoughts and eventually quiet the noise of the mind, cultivate inner peace and foster a deep sense of presence. In the stillness of meditation, I found clarity — a clarity that sharpened my focus, enhanced my decision-making and filled my work with purpose.

But perhaps the most profound lesson I gained from this journey is the importance of balance. In a world that glorifies hustle and grind, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that true success lies not in the quantity of hours worked, but in the quality of life lived. It's about finding harmony between ambition and rest, between achievement and contentment.

As you navigate through your degree and prepare to embark on your own professional journeys, remember this:

Success is not a sprint, but a marathon. Pace yourself, prioritise your wellbeing and never underestimate the power of balance.

Reflecting on my own path, I am thankful for the lessons learned, the challenges overcome and the moments of joy discovered along the way. And as I look towards the future, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose — a purpose rooted in the pursuit of balance, fulfilment and holistic wellbeing. I hope you discover this a lot earlier than I did.

May you find balance in your journey, and may it lead you to heights beyond your wildest dreams. Embrace the challenges, cherish the moments and above all, remember to nurture your mind, body and spirit along the way. For in the pursuit of wellbeing lies the true essence of success. Your future awaits – embrace it with open arms.

18

Adopting

THE GIFT OF

and

appreciating

positive

perspectives, however, is not always immediate; sometimes, it is the subtle nuances

PERSPECTIVE:

that

underlying

gradually

purpose

reveal

behind

the

events.

I

hope that through sharing some of my experiences, I can reassure law students

TRANSFORMING

that even a slight shift in perspective can

CHALLENGES INTO

journey towards greater wellbeing.

MOMENTS OF LEARNING

My first encounter with understanding the

provide you with great benefits in your

importance of perspective came when I was offered a chance to study a law

AND GROWTH

degree. During secondary school, I was a high achiever and graduated in the top ten

by ADAM MARSHALL

students

of

my

cohort,

but

unfortunately fell short of the requisite ATAR from my dream university by less than one entry point. Before I even began my degree, I began to question my

The pursuit of success, especially in the

self-worth and whether law was the right

law,

with

path for me, however I soon started to

relentless schedules and high expectations,

put myself forward. During the first three

and at times it is easy to overlook the

months of studying my degree, a position

crucial aspect of personal wellbeing. As I

became available in the University’s law

head into my third year of study, I have

students’ society to be an LGBTQIA+

started to appreciate how the multitude of

representative, which I applied for. After

academic

joining the committee, within the first

often

comes

hand

obligations,

engagements

and

the

in

hand

extracurricular of

two months, I coordinated and hosted a

professional advancement contribute to my

panel discussing LGBTQIA+ issues in the

performance

legal profession, attended networking

academically,

pursuit socially

and

mentally. Reflecting on my time as a law

events

student up to now, there are times when I

connections. I often reflect on how that

wish I had paid closer attention to my

day three years ago, I was devastated

wellbeing, allowing myself to catch my

about an unfavourable outcome, but how

breath and fully appreciate the pivotal

these

moments that reinforce my desire to pursue

themselves, leading me to have met

a career in law.

some

Wellbeing is a continuous and ongoing personal voyage; one where you continue to grow and learn from the mistakes, successes and lessons of yesterday. A key theme of this piece is about the importance of perspective. Adjusting our perspective and approach to particular situations can significantly improve and strengthen our wellbeing, particularly during times when outcomes seem unfavourable. As a law student, the importance of perspective in this competitive and demanding environment is key.

and

made

opportunities of

the

new

life-long

have

greatest

presented

people

engaged in some of the most exceptional experiences.

As I progressed into the mid-years of my degree,

I

opportunities

began to

actively enter

seeking

the

legal

profession by applying for a range of positions. As many of you reading would know, beginning the application process for many jobs can be daunting and mentally draining, especially when faced with rejection or a lack of success.

19

and

The experience can be disheartening and can

shed

light

on

the

“Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, I began to see them as chances to expand my knowledge and skills.”

competitive

landscape within the legal profession.

Nevertheless, I received some advice that stuck with me then and continues to stick with me. That is, despite all the rejections you face, each application brings you one step closer to success.

Each application provides an opportunity to

refine

your

approach,

from

restructuring cover letters to crafting responses to questions. This process enhances

your

communicate

ability your

to

key

effectively skills

and

attributes clearly and in a compelling manner.

This

new

perspective

has

changed my approach, knowing that one day I will succeed, and up until that point, each rejection is an opportunity to

Every interaction, whether with colleagues or clients, became an opportunity to gain new insights and deepen my understanding of

the

legal

perspective

field.

not

only

This

newfound

enhanced

my

professional development but also enriched

learn and refine.

my overall experience.

Fortunately, my persistence paid off and

If I could recommend anything, it is to

I was able to complete a clerkship during my pre-penultimate year. This was my first

glimpse

professional

into legal

a

full-time, environment.

Admittedly, maintaining a healthy worklife balance during these four weeks was more

difficult

than

I

first

imagined,

especially when factoring in the threehour commute each day. Having only completed two years of my degree at the start of my clerkship, I was initially concerned that my lack of exposure to the majority of Priestly law units would

consider how a change in perspective can make undesirable, uncomfortable or intimidating situations turn into positive and fruitful experiences. Sometimes a change of perspective can be brought on by yourself, by others around you or by the environment you are in. It also might not be immediate and can take time. By embracing a

mindset

of

openness,

you

empower

yourself to transform any situation into a positive one, fostering a belief in your own abilities and nurturing your journey towards personal wellbeing and growth.

put me at a disadvantage and prevent me from meeting the team's expectations.

Thankfully, I found myself surrounded by incredibly supportive, encouraging and understanding legal professionals. This nurturing environment enabled me to shift

my

perspective

from

feeling

underprepared in the practice area, to adopting

a

positive

mindset.

This

allowed me to proactively ask questions and seek guidance in navigating the

Adam is a Bachelor of Laws student at Deakin University. Alongside his degree, he works as a

complexities of the legal area in which

volunteer paralegal and concierge, and is the

the team operated. This shift in mindset

Secretary of the Deakin Law Students’ Society.

transformed each day into an invaluable

On his days off, he enjoys going to the theatre

learning opportunity.

and discovering new music.

20

by DR. PETER MACMILLAN

CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR LAW DEGREE

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY PUBLIC BEC LLB LLM PHD FSNV Dr. Peter Macmillan has been a lawyer for over 30 years. He also runs the Peter Macmillan & Associates Internship Program, which is one of the largest internship programs for law students in Australia.

1. FROM CELEBRATION TO SILENCE

It can be good to talk through your issues with others, because doing it alone often makes

Getting into law school was such a wonderful

things worse. Cultivating the right mindset is

moment. But then at the end, where do you go?

important for taking advantage of new opportunities when they arise.

It can be tough at the end of your degree if you haven't already arranged a job. As the end of

2. YOUR FIRST INTERNSHIP

law school approaches, uncertainty about your future takes its toll on your mental wellbeing. I

An internship is an opportunity to gain practical

see this with some of my interns. Of course, this

experience and to have something to talk about

is not everyone's experience; some of you will

at subsequent job interviews; it may establish a

do great in law school and find your way into a

connection that gets you in the door later.

wonderful legal job. But for others - perhaps a large proportion - self-doubt can creep in when

Over a period of approximately eight months

things don't go as smoothly as appears to be

each year, I provide internships for a cohort of

the case for your peers.

more than 60 law students, each of whom spends a week in my office. I started doing this

First, always remember that comparison is the

when I realised how difficult it can be for law

thief of joy. Don't fall into the trap of comparing

students - and even law graduates - to gain

your insides with someone else's outsides. Take

legal experience.

time to reflect on this.

It's a competitive market even to get that first Second,

sometimes

all

it

takes

is

one

foot in the door, and without connections,

application, one interview or one offer, or a

getting a placement of any kind can be difficult.

quick coffee with a new contact that leads to a

Unfortunately, it is still often the case of not

job down the track. Don't dismiss - or miss - an

just what you know, but who you know. This

opportunity for that one chance.

being the reality, you need to use networking to your advantage.

Third,

you

have

achieved

a

lot

simply

by

completing your law degree. That qualification can be used for many things, so don't think that you must get a job in a law firm. There are many, many other options as I explain to my interns.

21

If you have a choice of internships, avoid those that only involve doing low-level tasks.

Instead, go for internships where you have direct contact and time with a senior lawyer who is happy to answer your questions. These may be questions about the tasks at hand but, perhaps most importantly, about what it is like being a lawyer and how to improve professionally. Of course, if you don't have a choice, go for any internship whether good or bad. You will learn something either way.

3. DEVELOPING NETWORKS Few of us have pre-existing contacts within the legal profession. This is almost always the case for overseas students who may literally know no-one.

How do you start the process of developing your network? This is important because, as aforementioned, it is quite often who you know that is more important than what you know. I teach all my interns how to engage in small talk - with me, with each other and with clients.

It is a skill that can be learned and with practice is extremely useful in both professional and personal life.

Your first encounter with someone is your first opportunity to make a connection. It won't always happen, but if you find something in common to talk about, you have made a good start. Remember to focus on them rather than yourself, as most of us love talking about ourselves. After an initial encounter, there may be opportunities to meet again, perhaps over a coffee, or through an exchange of emails.

Make sure your LinkedIn account is up to date, and invite the people you meet to connect with you. Many of my interns dramatically boost the number of their LinkedIn connections while interning with me, as they develop rapport and then follow up with clients.

The other thing that my interns do is go through my list of almost 20,000 connections on LinkedIn, and choose from someone whom they'd like to know better. Perhaps the intern is into sports, or cosmetics and luxury goods; I can connect them with lawyer contacts who work in sports law or with a cosmetic organisation, who would be happy to have coffee. You would be surprised how open people are to having a chat and sharing their story with you.

Remember again, it's about them, not you.

Harvard Business School published an article about the importance of having three separate encounters with people to form a network connection, a necessary number to have moved past the mere acquaintance stage and have a deeper relationship. Not incredibly deep, but more robust and resilient than a superficial connection.

When we have a larger network, we have more people with whom we can speak and interact, which is critical in developing yourself mentally and emotionally. Everyone has a different perspective and can help us in different ways; we can also learn to help others, and through this we enrich and give meaning to our own lives.

It is by maintaining an outward focus that we often find greater fulfilment in our lives, whereas introspection, self-pity and worry become corrosive within us. By helping others, we end up helping ourselves.

22

HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD: NAVIGATING WELLBEING ON EXCHANGE

by DASH REID

Voluntarily choosing to be out of your comfort zone can be a difficult concept, however it often comes with great reward.

I am currently doing a trimester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland with Edinburgh Napier University. Settling into life on the other side of the world has proven to be quite difficult, despite the fact that I would consider myself to be a very outgoing and sociable person.

This is both my first time in Scotland and my first time travelling alone, so it sometimes feels like I have been thrown into the deep end and forced to swim. The first week was definitely the hardest. I was going from 30-degree weather in Melbourne to negative temperatures and snow in the middle of the Scottish winter and I had a terrible case of jet lag. This made it difficult for me to want to leave my heated room to venture into my shared kitchen, let alone to attend social events put on by the university.

Since I have gotten over this initial speed bump, it has been mostly smooth sailing. I took a big risk and chose to move into private housing instead of accepting an offer to live at university accommodation. Luckily for me, the big risk came with a big reward. I moved into a share house with a group of local students from the university, and they have been extremely friendly and inclusive. My housemates have welcomed me into their friendship group, inviting me to dinners, parties and movie nights. Although I had prepared myself to spend the first few months of my exchange feeling lonely and missing home, having a friendship group automatically built-in to my new home has meant that this has never been something I’ve had to worry about.

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Edinburgh Napier University has been so helpful in getting me situated for the trimester. I am doing a law elective, Human Rights Law, as well as two criminology units which will count towards my arts degree – Youth, Crime & Deviance and Penology. I was assigned a Personal Development Tutor to help me navigate my studies, who has provided me assistance with both academic and personal concerns that arose in my first few weeks here. This has been particularly useful as the systems and conventions are very different to what it’s like at Deakin, and I think I would otherwise have found things like enrolment and timetable organisation impossible to complete alone.

My peers in classes have all been helpful, especially knowing that I am very new here, showing me the ropes and offering to give me tours of the campus and city. I will say that my experience of meeting people in class here in Edinburgh is similar to my experience at Deakin, in that most people are nervous about starting a conversation but eager to continue it once it begins. I have had to make a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone and approach new people much more often than I would in Melbourne. Edinburgh is quite a small city with nice architecture and lots of parks, so I try to walk around as much as possible instead of catching public transport. I try to get some sun whenever I can, but the days are short and it is usually overcast (so it might be time for me to start taking Vitamin D supplements).

So far this has definitely been an experience that I would recommend to anyone. I think I have grown more as a person in the first three months of my exchange than I had grown in the last year I spent in Melbourne.

I am still anticipating having to manage things like feeling homesick, FOMO and a minor case of seasonal depression. But in facing this, I trust that the networks that I am building and support I am being provided by the university will continue to make my exchange as incredible as I was hoping!

Dash is a third-year student Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts student, with a major in International Relations and a minor in Sociology. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sports, going to festivals and baking.

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POST-GRADUATION AND BEGINNING AT A COMMERCIAL LAW FIRM

by ISABELLA HITCHCOCK Law Graduate, Mills Oakley

Completing a law degree is the culmination of years of hard work for a law student and reaching this academic milestone generally provides a sense of relief. However, the post-graduation period can simultaneously be met with anxieties and uncertainty in securing a graduate position and deciding which area of the law you wish to practice in. The good news is that there is always a pathway to securing the position you want.

I took the more traditional route via a seasonal clerkship and then a graduate position at a commercial law firm. It is common knowledge that most commercial law firms get hundreds of applications for these programs, which consequently means hundreds of law students receive rejections. Any law graduate who has been through this process understands how challenging it is. The process typically involves multiple rounds of interviewing and selection with specifics differing firm to firm. There is generally a lot of waiting for either confirmation or rejection as to whether you have made it through to the next round. Securing a position is then met with the transition of finally beginning. It is very important to prioritise your wellbeing throughout this long and challenging journey and to find a way that is best suited for you and your lifestyle. My four key reminders and experiences are as follows.

1. REMINDER: EVERYONE FACES REJECTION It is important to remember that rejection is part of the job application process.

Anyone, at any stage in their career, can experience it one way or another. It can be disappointing, but it is important to not lose sight of your goals and let rejection bring you down. It is important to take care of yourself when facing rejection. It is a challenge in which having a focus on your wellbeing gives you the resilience and strength to overcome it and persist. It may take many rejections to get the position or opportunity you want, but persistence is key. It is a good idea to ask the firms for feedback and immerse yourself further in the legal world to build your professional profile, whether that be via internships, volunteer legal work or even shadowing a legal professional. I did each of these throughout my studies at Deakin Law School, and I found it benefited my portfolio and the kind of professional I am today.

Networking

events

are

also

great

opportunities

to

make

professionals who might be able to refer you to a job opening.

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connections

with

2. REMINDER: SEEK GUIDANCE Beginning at a commercial law firm will feel like you are a small fish in a big pond.

That is because you are – and there is a lot to learn. It is likely that everyone at the firm went through a similar process or started at an entry-level. Most senior lawyers do not expect you to have an advanced knowledge of the work they do every day.

Most firms pair you with a buddy, a mentor and a principal. I personally try to build these professional relationships and learn from each of them. I find it eases you into beginning at a commercial law firm by having people to talk to and guide you. I have also found it helpful to connect with other law graduates as they are going through the same process, and everyone feels similarly. Most firms have Friday night drinks which are great for socialising and talking to colleagues who have been in your position and can provide you with tips and even information on their practice area.

Coffee catch ups with colleagues and contacts from other firms are also great to relate to others in the same position as you, get advice from mentors or talk to someone other than those whom you work with.

3. REMINDER: PRIORITISE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH With lots of challenges and learning, it is important to focus on essential components of both physical and mental health for the astounding benefits a healthy lifestyle has on overall wellbeing. I prioritise getting a long sleep each night, as I know it is important for me to be well rested for the day ahead. I prioritise spending time with my family and friends, as it serves as a break from professional socialising. I also make lots of time for myself to reduce stress and promote wellbeing. I find time every day to practise mindfulness either by journaling, meditating or through yoga. Another easy way to incorporate exercise is to get involved in sporting activities commercial law firms make available.

4. REMINDER: EVERYONE IS ON THEIR OWN JOURNEY It is important to remember that everyone is on their own journey, at their own pace, via their own pathway, and to not compare your journey to someone else’s. When you begin at a law firm, you will find that there are people of all ages, in different positions, with different life circumstances. Whilst there is a traditional route into a commercial law firm, there is no right or wrong pathway to take. Do your research and figure out what experiences you would like. Similarly, in deciding which area of law to practice in, try and get experience in the areas of law you are interested in and narrow it down to what you enjoy doing best. You can always make a change if something is not right for you. The key part is to put yourself first because doing so will benefit your personal and professional life.

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ISSUE ONE MAY 2024