Et Cetera - Issue 2, 2019

ET CETERA ISSUE 2 2019

ET CETERA - ISSUE 2 2019

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 to make 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 for all things Deakin Law!

https://www.facebook.com/ DeakinLaw/ @DeakinLSS

deakinlss https://www.linkedin.com/ company/deakin-law-students’-society/

Disclaimer This publication is provided free of charge by the Deakin Law Students’ Society (DLSS). Any opinions expressed in this publication is not necessarily a reflection of the viewpoints of or endorsed by the DLSS or the Deakin Law School, and belong solely to its authors.

You can find more information on short-term study abroad programs here: https:// www.deakin.edu.au/students/studying/ deakin-abroad/short-term-partner-programs Before making decisions about your enrolment, be sure to consult a course adviser to decide if it is right for you: https://www.deakin.edu. au/students/enrolment-fees-and-money/ enrolments/student-advisers

Copyright This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may, in any form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any process, without special written consent of the Deakin Law Students’ Society. © Deakin Law Students’ Society Room EA2.17, School of Law, Deakin University 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood 3125 www.deakinlss.org

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Intro 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 resonate 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.

Editorial Design | Clare Carroll, Kim Koelmeyer Darcy White Editor | Clare Carroll Editor-in-Chief | Kim Koelmeyer

Contributors Jessica Alesci-Pettit Nikki Doan Tayla Harrison Cassandra Hooimeyer Rebekah de Keijzer Eric Lay Claudia Lyons Sophie McIntyre Jessie Nygh Stephanie Seviloglou Shifa Shaikh Kelsey Walker Calvin White Ben Zerbe

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ISSUE 2 2019

DIRECTOR’S FOREWORD It is with great excitement that I welcome you to our second edition of Et Cetera for 2019!

What a year it has been, from trips abroad to clerkship applications, our second edition of 'Et Cetera' reflects on all of the highs and lows of 2019.

We curate this publication in the hopes of connecting with students and to tell the tales of surviving law school. We hope that 'Et Cetera' encourages you to take some time for yourself, to share your passion with others and start meaningful discussions about what is important to you.

I would love to extend my gratitude to all those who submitted articles to Issue 2. What is so special about 'Et Cetera' is that everything you read is written by students, for students. Thank you to all those who spent their time and effort contributing to our publication. Your words are powerful, and I applaud you for being brave enough to share your thoughts, feelings and opinions with us all.

It has been a pleasure to work with everyone on the DLSS to breathe some life back into 'Et Cetera' over the past year. Most importantly, none of this would have been possible without the amazing work of my Publications Officer, Kim Koelmeyer. I am in awe of Kim’s talent, passion and enthusiasm for her work on the DLSS. I would wish her luck in her new role as Director of Communications next year, however she doesn’t need it. I am excited to see where she takes 'Et Cetera' in the future.

I have taken great pride in playing a small role in publishing the works of our student body, and with Kim taking the reigns as the new Director of this portfolio there is no better time to get involved. If you would like to work on the 'Et Cetera' team in the future I encourage you to apply for an officer role later this year! Alternatively, if you want to write your own piece please email publications@deakinlss.org.

Warmest,

Clare Carroll Director of Marketing and Communications

EDITOR’S FOREWORD I am delighted to welcome you to Issue 2 of Et Cetera 2019!

As this issue is released, we are on the tail end of Trimester 2. This time of year means we’re all buckling down to finish off the year right. A lot of balls are up in the air, and that final exam day is looming right around the corner. We may have holidays, internships, work or study lined up for the summer, and we’re all just itching to get started.

I hope this issue serves as a grand hurrah to the year that was 2019.

Whether you wish to reflect, or celebrate all you have accomplished, this issue should have something for you.

Publishing a magazine is nothing if not a collaborative feat, and this issue is no exception. I am incredibly grateful for the work and support of the many dedicated students who helped make this issue possible.

To all of this issue’s contributors, thank you for sharing your stories with the student body. You are the backbone of this publication and I appreciate the time you put in to write your articles. I hope I have reflected your work in its best light.

To my Director, Clare - thank you for your incredible leadership and trust throughout this entire year. We couldn’t have achieved half of what we managed to do without your presence every step of the way.

And to you, our readers - thank you for giving your time to ‘Et Cetera.’

Whether it’s a quick take or a long, concentrated read, I appreciate each and every interaction you may have with this publication. It exists, first and foremost, for you.

If you are interested in having a hand in future issues of ‘Et Cetera,’ I would encourage you to apply for an officer position when recruitment begins. I am so excited to see where this publication goes, and its trajectory is inherently tied to those who are at the wheel to steer it.

It has been an incredible year, and although I'm a woman of words, all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.

Kim Koelmeyer Publications Officer

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2020 EXECUTIVE Following our AGM last Monday 16 September, we are pleased to announce our 2020 Executive Committe! We look forward to seeing them take the DLSS to new heights next year!

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JOIN THE DLSS!

Are you interested in working with a dedicated team to improve the life of your fellow students? Do you want to upskill? Make new friends? Or are you looking for a productive way to spend your spare time? The DLSS committee may be just the place for you!

Now that our executive committee has been elected, our next step is finding our officers!

Officers work under Directors, and implement the events and publications you see throughout the year. It's a great way to learn how a student society works, and see the work that goes into providing the servies and resources we do!

Stay tuned on our social media for when recruitment begins for our officer positions.

Exact positions available and position descriptions will be made available when we start accepting applications. Positions are open to any Deakin Law student regardless of experience, so we'd encourage you all to apply!

Thank you for a great year, and we look forward to recieving your applications!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 10

DLSS 2019Year in Review Claudia Lyons DLSS Vice President Claudia Lyons recalls the year that was 2019. With over 30 events, the DLSS has truly gone above and beyond this year!

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Making a Difference in Law School Rebekah de Keijzer Studying law opens up many opportunities to advocate for the less fortunate. Director of Social Justice and Equity Rebekah deKeijzer speaks to four students using their legal education for the common good.

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Feel Like a Law School Fraud? Me Too. Jessie Nygh Imposter syndrome is common among high achievers, where they feel that their achievements are a result of luck or as opposed to merit. Jessie Nygh breaks Imposter Syndrome down, and explains how we need to learn to affirm our victories, rather than doubt them.

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Elevating a Legal Education with ‘LawWithoutWalls’ Eric Lay ‘LawWithoutWalls’ is an awardwinning global educational program aimed at changing the way lawyers and law students work at the intersection of business, law and technology. Eric Lay, one of this year’s participants, recounts his experience in the program.

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Portfolio Spotlight: Industry Careers

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Continential Shift

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Let’s Talk About Disability

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How Effective are IVO’s?

Volunteering with the Office of the Public Advocate’s Community Visitor’s Program

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Exam Tips: From Tears to Tried and Tested

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The Opportunity I Refused to Miss

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Navigating Your Law Degree from Start to Finish

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Four Tips for the Introvert Abroad

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DLSS 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW CLAUDIA LYONS It has been a huge year for the 2019 DLSS Committee! As Vice-President, I have had the opportunity to watch this incredible group of law students meet, work together and create some of the most successful events in DLSS history.

The DLSS year began at the AGM in September 2018, where the 13 Executive members were elected. We conducted applications and interviews for the remaining Committee throughout November. We were astounded to receive over 150 applications for Committee positions, which was a testament to the quality of the work the DLSS produced in 2018 and the welcoming culture that has been created. We welcomed the remaining 28 Committee members in December!

law school all worth it. Thank you Brookelyn, Sarah, Des and Kirk for all your amazing work this year. You’ve smashed it.

Commercial Careers The Commercial Careers Portfolio has provided events all year such as the Commercial Careers Fair, Meet the Professionals Networking Night and Mock Interviews, plus the incredible Clerkship Guide. All of this makes it possible to get a clerkship or graduate position in a commercial law firm (hopefully). On behalf of all penultimate and final year students, thank you. Niren, Alex, Lachie and Cam, you are a wonder and treasure to us all.

Competitions

We got to know each other over the weekend at our Annual Committee Retreat in February. I organised a weekend trip to a secluded Scouts camp where we got to know each other with games, activities and one very long meeting. I did manage to get us lost on a bush walk, but as we all know, the journey is all about the friends you make along the way.

In an effort to gain an understanding of the real work a lawyer performs, the Competitions Portfolio runs many competitions. The Moots, Negotiations, Witness Examinations and Client Interview are run throughout the year and help to make law school fun and fresh. Thank you Julia, Georgia, Steph, Jack and Jessie for never quitting.

The DLSS is made up of seven portfolios that run events and create valuable resources all year long, starting from O-Week.

Education

Activities The Activities Portfolio runs the DLSS’ largest events, starting with the Midnight Mystery Pub Crawl during O-Week. First Year Law Camp, Paint Party and the beautiful evening that is Law Ball which make the hard work of

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Deakin’s new First Years were lovingly welcomed by the Education Portfolio, who hosted a Crash Course and a BBQ. They continued providing events and resources throughout the year so we could all learn more and stress a little less. Thank you Vernon, Kelsey, Soph and Sam for making us all feel a little more welcome at uni.

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Leadership Team

It can be a struggle to understand the jobs that exist outside the Commercial Law realm. The Industry Careers Portfolio ran panels, such as Criminal Law, Defence in the Law and Family Law, and an International Public Law oration that explored all the different paths our career could take. Thank you Ben, Em, Jess and Minelle for the tireless work of organising these events that benefit so many law students.

Behind the scenes of all the events are the incredible leadership team, who keep it all running, looking to help the portfolios run every event smoothly and continually improve the management of the DLSS.

Social Justice and Equity The Social Justice and Equity Portfolio draws in huge audiences to their events because as law students, we do want to see a positive change in the world and hope to use our degrees to facilitate it. The Mabo Oration, Volunteering in Law, Refugee Panel and Diversity in Law help us to gain a better insight on what we can do as lawyers and as advocates for those in need.

Thank you Bek, Harriet, Rachel and Nikki for being the kindest souls and running these incredible events.

Marketing and Communications Behind every event is the Marketing and Communications team who spread the word of the DLSS and our events to the student body through Facebook, Instagram and our new website. This portfolio went through quite the overhaul, and because of this, you’re reading the new and improved ‘Et Cetera’. We quite literally could not do any of it without this team.

Thank you Clare, Eliza, Zoe, Kim and Zach for getting so many interested students to our events!

Shout out to our First Year Reps, Jack and Max, and our JD rep, Justin, for being a voice for these two cohorts. Events were run this year for the benefit of these students, with the new First Year Study Sesh being a great success. We couldn’t achieve nearly as much attendance without you!

Sarah and Jed have ensured our finances are running smoothly all year long. Not to brag, but apparently we have the best finances of any student society our accountant has ever seen.

Without Munir, our Sponsorship Director, we would not have the incredible relationship with law firms that we do. Bella, our amazing Secretary has kept the Committee running like clockwork with her impeccable organisation skills. Bella has given so much to the Committee that it seems like it would just stop without her. And of course, Tom, our President, has led us all with ease. Tom has never stopped thinking about what else he can do to improve the Committee and the student experience. He has advocated for every single student through long conversations with the Law School. Thank you all so much for being an incredible team.

Writing this Year in Review helps to put all the hard work and sheer amount of events (all 33 of them!!!) and publications into perspective. The DLSS provides so much for the student body because we love it, and hope every Deakin Law student has the best possible experience.

Finally, thank you to all of you, the students, for coming to our events and supporting us!

Please consider joining this incredible society as it is a chance to meet life-long friends and have an experience you’ll never regret!

Claudia is the Vice-President of the Deakin Law Students’ Society.

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PORTFOLIO SPOTLIGHT: INDUSTRY CAREERS BEN ZERBE

The Industry Careers Portfolio is one of the most exciting DLSS portfolios. We are responsible for creating opportunities for students to learn about career opportunities that exist for graduates with legal degrees both with and without their practicing certificates. The reality is, only approximately two percent of graduates end up in commercial firms that offer traditional clerkship and graduate role pathways. This leaves a lot of graduates to consider everything else.

dates. These occur much earlier in the year than clerkship applications, so it’s important to stay on top of these details early in Trimester 1 if you are considering roles with organisations like the Australian Government Solicitor and Office of International Law, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

The good news is, there are a lot of alternatives out there and a law degree remains a highly valuable commodity in the job market whether you end up working as a lawyer or not. That’s where we come in. Our job is to do as much as possible to ensure that students are exposed to a range of pathways and can encounter possibilities they have never thought of.

In the past, the portfolio has covered areas such as in-house law, sports law and intellectual property law. This year we decided to focus on potential career paths that we know plenty of law students are interested in, such as government legal roles, criminal law and family law.

TRIMESTER 1 Government Graduate Roles In Trimester 1 we undertook three initiatives.

We published our guide to government graduate roles which provided information regarding public service graduate role application

The Industry Careers Portfolio and Panellists at the Family Law Panel

Family Law Panel In May we hosted our Family Law Panel. We were fortunate enough to be joined by Judge Joanne Stewart of the Federal Circuit Court, Shai Sommers from Coote Family Lawyers and Amanda Pearson who is a Barrister specialising in Family Law. This panel provided attendees with some excellent insight into the unique demands of family law, the kind of skills it requires and the challenges that panellists faced in progressing from law school into

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“...there are a lot of alternatives out there and a law degree remains a highly valuable commodity in the job market whether you end up working as a lawyer or not.

That’s where we come in.”

their current roles. It was great to be able to get an insight into the day-to-day demands each of these different roles imposed on our panellists.

Defence and the Law Later that month, our Defence and the Law panel showcased some of the different opportunities available to law graduates. Our panellists this time were: Keith Wolahan, a barrister who has acted in a number of high profile matters, including representing a commando team commander charged with manslaughter for a civilian combat incident, Solange Fauvel a contract manager with the Defence Department’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, and Daniel Golder, a senior consultant for KPMG in their Policy, Programs and Evaluation practice. This event received excellent feedback from attendees, who benefited from the opportunity to see where legal skills and understanding could take graduates outside the law. Both Daniel and Solange studied law but have pursued roles which while taking advantage of their legal skills, do not require practicing certificates. Keith provided interesting insight into the freedom that working as a barrister presents compared to life in a firm.

one of the DLSS’ larger careers events for the year and a special mention goes to our MC Jess Riordan for the fabulous job she did hosting and organising the panel.

International Law Oration We were delighted to host Professor Hilary Charlesworth from Melbourne Law School, who gave a fantastic speech on Australia’s ambivalent relationship with international law.

Emily Forbes then led a Q&A session which gave students the opportunity to learn how one goes from an unhappy law student to an ad hoc judge on the International Court of Justice. Hilary gave us a real lesson in the value of following your passions.

TRIMESTER 2

As I write, we are looking forward to hosting the former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Hon Robert French AC who will be delivering a speech on ‘Sovereignty, Recognition and the Voice’.

Criminal Law Panel Our first event for Trimester 2 was our Criminal Law Panel. We were joined by Rufiath Yousuff, a solicitor with the Office of Public Prosecutions, Kristina Kothrakis, a partner with Doogue + George and Kelly McKay, a criminal law barrister. The panellists discussed the fast-paced and taxing interpersonal nature of criminal law. They all stressed the importance of humility and people skills as some of the key qualifications for practicing criminal law. It was great to hear how each of these panellists found their home in criminal law and it was great to see so many students turn up and ask fantastic questions of the panellists. This was

If you are considering serving on the DLSS, I would urge you to consider applying for the Industry Careers Portfolio as it gives you a unique opportunity to learn about such a diverse range of career outcomes.

Ben is the Director of Industry Careers of the Deakin Law Students’ Society.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN LAW SCHOOL REBEKAH DE KEIJZER Law School is a busy time of any student’s life - filled with late nights in the library, early morning lectures, networking events and students hustling around the clock to get as much practical legal experience in as they can. But amidst their busy schedules, some students have found the time to use their degree for good. Whether it’s by getting involved with university clubs, community legal centres or even the UN! We wanted to highlight some Deakin Law students who are using their degree to make a positive difference, which will hopefully encourage you all to do the same.

Vivi Teshuva Vivi is a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) student in her final year at Deakin’s Burwood Campus. Alongside full-time studies, Vivi has been working at the Office of Public Prosecutions for the past four years, and has devoted much of her spare time to volunteering with a wide range of communities including people with disabilities, refugees and asylum seekers, indigenous youth, youth within her local community and university clubs and societies. Vivi has a diverse range of extra-curricular experience, including being the past Director of Social Justice & Equity for the DLSS, undertaking a year-long student political leadership program as well as completing a semester abroad at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

What inspires you to make a difference?

My motivation to make a difference can be strongly attributed to my cultural background and family values. All four of my Jewish grandparents suffered from persecution during WW2 and were forced to flee their home countries. My family and wider community are acutely aware of the importance of citing injustices and encourage actively working towards protecting the disadvantaged. This is what has always inspired me to critically analyse social policies and to advocate for positive reforms.

What is your proudest achievement in terms of influencing social change?

Playing a significant role in the establishment of the Social Justice & Equity Portfolio is my proudest achievement in influencing social change.

When I started studying at Deakin in 2014, I felt that there were not enough opportunities being provided to students in the area of social justice law. My desire to see this gap filled is what lead me to get involved in the DLSS. I didn’t want to stand by waiting for change to happen, I wanted

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to help get it kick-started myself.

In 2017, a fellow law student and I became the first ever DLSS Social Justice Officers. We ran several highly successful events that proved there was a demand on campus for social justice initiatives.

In 2018, the DLSS expanded to create the new Social Justice & Equity portfolio, and I had the privilege of being its first Director. Over the course of the year, the portfolio organised two Q&A panels, published the first DLSS Volunteer Handbook, hosted an oration dinner with Justice Bell of the Supreme Court as a keynote speaker and fundraised a sizable donation for the Federation of Community Legal Centres.

I believe this portfolio will continue to bring about social change on campus well into the future by regularly educating students on important issues and inspiring future lawyers to be at the forefront of justice.

What is one law or policy you wish could be changed?

At the moment I am keeping an eye on the Royal Commission into Aged Care. It is important to take an active interest in older Australians that are suffering at the end of their lives due to abuse or inadequate care. The Royal Commission will conclude in 2020 and I am interested in recommendations that will be made for better policies and systems for regulating the Aged Care industry. Until the Royal Commission points us in a direction of law and policy reform we should continuously remind ourselves of the universal truth that the worth of a nation can best be measured in how it treats its most vulnerable.

What is one thing you wish to achieve in your future?

It goes without saying, I want to achieve a career that allows me to fulfil my professional duty to positively impact people’s lives. But equally as important, I want to achieve a personal life that is filled with genuine relationships, lots of laughter and a healthy dosage of excitement and adventure. I also really want to learn how to make the perfect poached eggs.

How can other students who are interested in social justice get involved?

First and foremost, don’t be afraid to take a stance on a social justice matter. The most effective change makers are the ones who strongly believe in their cause. If there is an issue that burns a fire in you, research a community legal centre or a not-for-profit (doesn’t have to be in the legal sector) that suits your interest and keep on top of their vacancies. You can also email or call them directly and ask if they have regular intakes. Or even better, use the DLSS Volunteer Handbook published last year as a guide to help you navigate the community sector!

Having said that, being involved in social justice is so much more than scoring an internship and filling up the resume. Being involved in the world of social justice requires you to read the news every day and remain informed on matters of significance. Stay educated by watching documentaries, reading books and having constructive debates with people who might challenge your opinion. You can even be involved by writing to your local member about a social justice matter that concerns you. These are the small but significant things that lead to a sustainable and passionate involvement.

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ET CETERA - ISSUE 2 2019 Stephanie Johnson Steph has just completed her Bachelor of Laws. She has worked and volunteered in the refugee settlement and disability sectors for the past seven years.

What inspires you to make a difference?

I have been afforded great opportunities purely by virtue of where I was born, including the opportunity to attend university and pursue my personal goals. I want to ensure others are afforded equal opportunity in their own lives. There is no more rewarding feeling than making a difference!

What is your proudest achievement in terms of influencing social change?

A particularly proud moment was when I was given the opportunity to advise the Victorian Multicultural Commissioner on the settlement of Syrian refugees in the North-Western area of Melbourne. More broadly, I am also proud of the contributions I have made to ensure children from refugee backgrounds are able to access services such as kindergarten and health care. The first five years of a child’s life are fundamental to their development and outcomes later in life.

By ensuring access to vital early years services and increasing children’s health, literacy and socio-economic development, children are given the best opportunity to lead fulfilling lives in a new country.

What is one law or policy you wish could be changed?

The indefinite detention of people seeking asylum in Australia. Over 90% of asylum seekers in detention are proven to be refugees. The elongated process to obtain a protection visa stagnates innocent people’s lives for years whilst they await an outcome. It has been particularly concerning to see the politicisation of medical treatment for asylum seekers in detention. No amount of cruelty will act as a deterrent to those who are fleeing persecution in genuine fear for their lives.

What is one thing you wish to achieve in your future?

I would love to achieve a reputation for being a dedicated advocate for my clients in the commercial space, whilst contributing more broadly to ensure positive impacts to the community.

How can other students who are interested in social justice get involved?

Be curious! Ask questions and dig deeper into areas or issues you are passionate about. Contact organisations that engage in work you respect and see what is the best way to contribute in a tangible way.

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ET CETERA - ISSUE 2 2019 Rukaiyah Abdullah Rukaiyah has recently completed her degree at Deakin and will graduate at the end of 2019. Rukaiyah studied law and public relations. She has volunteered and worked in a range of different organisations to date. Rukaiyah is the former vice-chairperson of the Afro-Australian Student Organisation (AASO). Presently, she is the coordinator of Youth Action Hub Australia - a United Nations supported global initiative.

Rukaiyah is also an intercultural youth advocacy leader for the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, which serves as Victoria’s peak advocacy body for multicultural inclusion.

Additionally, in her spare time she volunteers with Community Care Network, which is a group that supports homeless people in Melbourne.

What inspires you to make a difference?

My inspiration to make a difference comes from the people I am lucky enough to cross paths with in life. I am continuously fascinated by the amount of people that want to make a difference in the world. Rather than complain about their current situation or the injustices they see or face in society, they’re actively acting as agents of the change they wish to see reflected in the world. This naturally makes me question how I am contributing to society and inspires me to make a difference.

What is your proudest achievement in terms of influencing social change?

My proudest achievement to date would be my appointment by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development as the first Australian coordinator of a global youth initiative to tackle the UN sustainable development goals. Getting to work directly with a body that has immense influence on a global scale to address 17 issues the world is trying to positively impact by 2030 is a huge responsibility I take very seriously and couldn’t be more honoured to lead.

What is one law or policy you wish could be changed?

If I could change one area of law it would be international law. I would find a way to ensure international law was binding on all countries to ensure just accountability.

What is one thing you wish to achieve in your future?

I don’t think I have really figured this out yet, but what I do know is I hope my future leaves a positive legacy behind.

How can other students who are interested in social justice get involved?

I would suggest students start by researching groups that are doing work in spaces they may be interested in and attend any meetings or events by these groups. Eventbrite and social media is a great way to find these events. I would also encourage students to contact professionals working in the social justice space for coffee to see how they can get involved.

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ET CETERA - ISSUE 2 2019 Ashleigh Hudson Ashleigh is a fourth year Law / Arts student. Ashleigh volunteers with the PLEA Project, which she joined in 2017 as a second-year student. Ashleigh worked up into the role of the Section Leader of PLEA’s teams at the Metropolitan Remand Centre and the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, and now sits in her current role as the Prison Sector Manager. Ashleigh also volunteers with ECLC in the Intervention Order Support Service, where she is based at the Ringwood Magistrate’s Court as a Family Violence Paralegal.

What inspires you to make a difference?

Although I believe education should be a right, and not a privilege, I think that unfortunately that’s not always the case. There are a lot of people and communities that are not able to access education. For those of us like myself that do have the opportunity for further education, I believe passing it on and sharing it is the least I could do. Providing people with the knowledge and skills to help them gain control in environments where they can often feel powerless, intimidated and anxious is something that can make a huge difference.

What is your proudest achievement in terms of influencing social change?

My proudest achievement would probably be the Library Project at PLEA. I led this project to source and develop as many resources as possible, in simple language, to provide to inmates and in the prison libraries across Victoria. For many types of legal cases, people are often left to represent themselves – for example, with the mandatory visa cancellations. With the tight time frame to appeal this, many people are faced with having to submit an appeal without legal help.

By providing them with some how-to guides, and a ‘self-help kit’, this gives them the power to take control of these matters on their own. This project involved developing lots of self-help materials on a wide variety of legal topics, to assist self-represented litigants throughout the legal system.

What is one law or policy you wish could be changed?

I think Family Violence law needs to be looked at – which I know it is constantly. The Royal Commission made some important findings, and the Government has implemented some changes accordingly. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of holes that, for example, can leave people homeless. This area is most definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ area. Laws and policies need to be able to reflect the individuals in their circumstances to ensure a just and fair outcome for all. There are a lot of support services at court, and outside of court too, for people going through Family Violence matters. However, these aren’t automatically attached to the court proceedings. I hope to see policies amended to ensure that parties have support services in place, for example, an accommodation service, before being excluded from their property. Unfortunately, courts often exclude someone without always ensuring they have a back-up plan, and leave it at that – often resulting in homelessness. A more holistic approach to link court proceedings with support services as a

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mandatory policy is what I hope to see.

What is one thing you wish to achieve in your future?

I’ve done a lot of defense work, and I’d really love to spend some time in prosecutions. Currently, I think that I’d also love to one day sit as a Magistrate!

How can other students who are interested in social justice get involved?

Volunteer! Whether you want to be involved with client work, or make a difference doing behind-the-scenes work, volunteering is a great way to be exposed to the many different ways you can make a change. At PLEA for example, we have a range of different ways in which students can be involved. We have positions for law students to go into prisons, justice centres, and vulnerable communities to provide face-to-face legal education. We also have positions for law students to do content work, such as researching areas of law, and creating resources to provide to vulnerable people to help them move forward with their legal issues. If you’re not sure what you want to do – start with trying something. You’ll soon learn about all the different areas that exist, and you can work your way into doing something that is making a worthwhile difference to someone, and that you are passionate about! Do a bit of research on the different organisations that are out there, find some that interest you - and apply to get involved!

Bek de Keijzer is the Director of Social Justice and Equity on the Deakin Law Student’s Society and a final year Law/International Studies student. She is passionate about influencing positive social changewhether it is through recognition of Indigenous rights, LGBTQIA+ representation, female empowerment or environmental action.

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LET ’S TALK ABOUT DISABILITY STEPHANIE SEVILOGLOU What does a perfectly diverse society look like? Perhaps it is a place where LGBTQIA+ people are completely free to be themselves without fear of prejudice, or where people of colour are not discriminated against for their racial or ethnic identity. Maybe it also looks like those of different religions feel safe from persecution, and women and non-binary individuals aren’t trapped in a gender hierarchy. So far, this paints an idyllic picture, of which progressive firms and corporations have incorporated within their diversity agenda. However, there is one facet missing from this intersectional model.

Where are the people with disabilities? The spoonies, the neurodivergent, those with congenital or acquired illness? Where is the visibility? Over 4 million Australians identify as having a form of disability, (1 in 5 people), yet those with disabilities are often left out of the diversity agenda and do not get a say. Treated with misappropriated pity, or heroised for simply living. Additionally, they are prone to tokenism, whereby one person is seemingly representative for the whole disabled community – despite the fact that there is a multitude of conditions and no two people with the same disability may share symptoms. Each case is unique with people presenting either overt or covert disability, or experiencing physical or mental disability.

While there is nothing wrong about focusing on the other facets of intersectionality per above (as our efforts will eventuate in a fully diverse and representative society). However, it is contended that people with disabilities remain in the shadows of the equal opportunity

narrative - effectively disenfranchised.

Why Does This Occur? And How is this Related to Employment?

Modern studies theorise that the attributed disability stereotype is inherently anti-capitalist.

An individual’s employment worth is assessed by reference to their productiveness. If you can work extremely long hours and consistently produce high volume of results with minimal adjustments, you are a model candidate. Classically, those with disabilities were portrayed as “too much work to help” or “risky or poor investments”. Less of these attitudes are openly expressed in contemporary times; however disability discrimination still pervades society, and typically occurs indirectly.

Disability Discrimination Legal Service Volunteer Paralegal Emily Coghlan explains: “Direct disability discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances, due to living with a disability. What is less obvious (and more frequent) is indirect disability discrimination, occurring when there is a law, policy or rule applying to all people in the same fashion; putting those with disabilities at a disadvantage.“ ‘Disability confidence’ is a potential euphemistic branding tool needing to be cultivated in workplace cultures, to generate more accessible recruitment processes.

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“An individual’s employment worth is assessed by reference to their productiveness.

If you can work extremely long hours and consistently produce high volume of results with minimal adjustments, you are a model candidate. Classically, those with disabilities were portrayed as “too much work to help” or “risky or poor investments”.”

Disability and the Legal Industry: Being a law student is rife with stress and ubiquitous challenges. There are so many readings to accomplish, questions to answer and assignments to complete. It is physically, mentally and emotionally taxing - of which students with disabilities may become doubly sensitised to, verging on the point of the body “shutting down”. The apex of pressure for students with disabilities, though, is when preparing for legal employment.

This may typify why graduates with a disability take 60% longer on average to acquire fulltime employment than other graduates.

Unfortunately, statistics of Victorian lawyers with disabilities could not be provided as they have not been calculated, highlighting the necessity of visibility more than ever before.

Law is about resolving issues between people and their interplay with the world. Rosemarie Garland Thomas similarly asserts that we traditionally treat disability as a problem in bodies, rather than one located in the interaction between bodies and their situated environment.

So, if anything, people with disabilities are more exemplary employees than you may think. Workplaces that wish for empathy; resilience; adaptability; innovation, and perpetual determination – in addition to the quintessential criteria?

We have that in spades.

Embrace, trust, and see us for more than our disability.

Stephanie is a Competitions Officer within the DLSS and a Volunteer Paralegal at the Disability Discrimination Legal Service. In her little-to-no spare time, she enjoys obsessing over the Great British Bake-Off.

Numerous penultimate and final year students protest about psychometric testing and the writing of clerkship and graduate applications (it is certainly a gruelling endeavour). However, what about the students who need extra time or different technology to comprehend and answer questions? Those experiencing debilitating pain, requiring breaks or “chunking” of tasks? Due to negative social conditioning (through stigmatisation), people are trained to not talk about illness or disability. This affects people with disabilities’ ability to be vocal about making adjustments and expressing their needs.

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HOW EFFECTIVE ARE IVO’S? NIKKI DOAN

Intervention Orders (IVO’s) aim to safeguard victims from harm, but with over 40,000 reported breaches each year, their actual ability to protect society from offenders is inadequate, unless they can be effectively enforced.

Family Violence Intervention Orders are made to protect a person from mental and physical harm, but with over 40,000 breaches prosecuted in Victoria in the last year, are these orders effective protections or just a piece of paper?

Violations of Family Violence Intervention Orders now represent 5 percent of all criminal incidents dealt with by police, and it has seen the most significant rise over the past 10 years in Victoria, increasing by 318.5% since 2008. (Victoria Police LEAP Database 2018) Slow Response Time

“...long delays in police response times mean that sometimes, the affected family members are unable to prove the breach.”

This is partially driven by an increase in orders being issued by the courts, as well as an improvement in police response to reports of breaches. However, activists say the rate of violations is actually much higher because not all breaches are reported, and even fewer are prosecuted. Often, victims feel as though reporting offences means that it would be their word against the perpetrator’s. The Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Matters) Act 2012 made it an indictable offence to contravene a Family Violence Intervention Order, punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of almost $40,000. Unfortunately, long delays in police response times mean that sometimes, the affected family members are unable to prove the breach. Rosie Batty recalls many instances in which she waited hours for police response to breaches, even waiting by the side of the road for an hour - “Do you know how incredibly stressful it is to dob in a violent man in front of his son, and wait by the side of the road?”

Problems With Enforcement Even with two intervention orders, four warrants out for his arrest, and a pending criminal charge against her ex-partner, police admitted to Rosie Batty that “we can’t be there in time if he wants to kill you.” In heart-breaking testimony Ms Batty, whose son was killed by his father, described feeling as though she was alone in standing up to the offender and in enforcing his

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“intervention orders are not effective protection until breaches are handled more effectively by the system.�

intervention orders. Intervention orders can only be effective if the parties respect the conditions imposed by them, but beyond a symbolic safeguard from the court, they provide little actual protection for victims. Enforcing an intervention order places the onus on the victim to face the offender and report the breach. Often, breaches of orders are attended to retrospectively, once the violation has already been committed and the victim already exposed to the mental or physical harm they were supposed to be protected from. The delay in response leaves victims vulnerable, and intervention orders are not effective protection until breaches are handled more effectively by the system.

Tackling These Problems Melbourne is working to address this issue by trialling a new deterrence device, the SafeTCard, which provides instant access to help if activated. The device can send alerts to a central control room, as well as recording audio which can be used as evidence of the breach. In the small trial that has been run, there were no face-to-face breaches by any of the serial offenders involved. Knowing that they will be reported and that there will be evidence has proven to be an effective deterrent for these perpetrators. Holding perpetrators accountable severe the power and control they hold over their victims.

Though the enforcement of intervention orders can continue to be improved, Magistrate Anne Goldsborough believes they are a critical part of the justice system. She argues that the vast majority of the orders are obeyed, and they work to prohibit future violence. However, we need to ensure that IVO’s are more than just a piece of paper and can provide actual protections for all that need it.

Nikki is a Social Justice and Equity Officer of the Deakin Law Students Society, and in her third year of a Bachelor of Laws/Commerce degree. In her spare time, she enjoys watching cake decorating videos on YouTube.

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EXAM TIPS: FROM TEARS TO TRIED AND TESTED! SOPHIE MCINTYRE AND KELSEY WALKER A collation of exam and study tips we have learnt so far in our university journey!

How do you learn how to learn? There really is no way other than to try every way! Although, here are some tips which we have found useful, and you might too!

TLDR; practice is key, and study smarter rather than harder!

Be an Active Learner, Not a Passive One Don’t trick yourself into thinking that reading notes and highlighting the textbook should be considered ‘study’. These are examples of passive activities that simply waste time. Obviously everyone learns differently, but generally active learning, which includes doing practice questions, immersing yourself in content through discussions and ‘teaching’ others, is going to actually make the content stick with you in the long run.

So the next time you’re studying, try to choose activities that challenge you rather than just reading and making summaries!

Know Your Notes Whether you write your own notes, get a hold of someone else’s, or use the textbook, you should be incredibly familiar with your notes so you’re not wasting time in exam flicking back and forth! Tabs, content pages, headings, sub-headings, and sub-sub-headings all help in creating a set of notes you’ll be able to navigate quickly in an exam!

Get a Game Plan In an exam, know exactly what time allowances you have, what question you will start with, whether you’ll work chronologically through the paper, or do the ‘biggest’ question first. Don’t wait for writing time to work out which question to start with. Write down your game plan on the front page of your notes if it’s an open book exam, and include a timeline of what time the exam starts, what time you’ll start writing each question and stick to it!

Exams are a Marathon, Not a Race Yes, you’ve heard it before, often in the form of, “you should’ve started earlier!”, “cramming doesn’t work”, but starting early means nothing without strategy. Would you run a race with-

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out having warmed up? To win the race, you must set a training schedule and a pace goal.

One strategy is to make separate notes for assignment content and exam notes from the beginning.

Assignment notes can be scrappy and hideous. This is because you will be learning the content at the time you complete the assignment! Save the time and hassle of overly detailed notes.

Utilise Your Week One Motivation Block the examination weeks from your work availability and save the headache that comes with covering shifts last minute, or worse, being forced to work when you’re panicked about preparation. Reflect on your last exam period: what worked and what didn’t? If you felt like you lost yourself completely to the library, make a hard promise and reasonable schedule to ensure you have time to exercise, prepare a nutritious meal and socialise outside of the library.

Conversely, if you found yourself avoiding study altogether, commit to a few hours per day when you’re most alert. Often you’ll find that beginning study is the hardest aspect of revision.

Training Without Practice is Procrastination. The Answer? Answer Guides Nobody likes to identify gaps in their knowledge by completing practice exams. You’re forced to apply a principle you theoretically know so well to problem questions.

It’s important to recognise that you won’t be tested on whether you know the law, but rather how you apply it. At the beginning of the trimester, search the library database and online sites for previous exams. Print these out, read them and identify common trends.

From this you can develop answer guides. Make a standard answer example for each area that is malleable, so that under pressure you can trust your answer is the product of knowledge and simply copy out your format.

Again, everyone learns so differently, but hopefully you’ll find some of these tips useful, happy studying!

Soph’s a full-time procrastinator and part-time coffee-aholic - she studies law on the side.

Kelsey is a second year law student, reapproaching her studies with a second chance mindset. She desires to impart wisdom from her first year ‘failures’.

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WHEN THE ROAD SEEMS SO LONG: NAVIGATING YOUR LAW DEGREE FROM START TO FINISH TAYLA HARRISON I am currently in my sixth year of a four-year Bachelor of Laws degree, so I am an authority on ensuring that a well-rounded work-study-life balance is maintained. But I wasn’t always like that. Like so many law students, perfectionism was everything. I wanted to strive for the perfect marks, and was powered on by the entrenched notion that such high results would take me straight to the top. In simple terms, the best marks meant the best clerkships, and the best clerkships meant the best graduate programs, and that in turn meant the quickest way to the best career.

But here I am, in the final trimester of my degree, and only now have I realised that taking your time and navigating your own, comfortable career path is perfectly okay. In fact, it’s great! It took only one conversation with a fellow lawyer for my whole mindset to change. Just one moment, and everything fell into place.

Taking Your Time is Okay

“Like so many law students, perfectionism was everything.

I wanted to strive for the perfect marks, and was powered on by the entrenched notion that such high results would take me straight to the top.”

Having just come from Year 12, studying had become the one constant in life. Studying excessively was the only way I knew how to make sure things were completed to my level of satisfaction. But come my fourth year, I hit a roadblock and needed a break. And so that was the first time I really had to entertain the idea that my law degree journey was not going to be so ‘textbook’.

Six months elapsed and I was back at it, but with a renewed sense of purpose. I knew that I wanted to finish my law degree, and I now had the energy to do it. However, whilst my body had relished in the break, my mind was still wondering about what would have happened if I had just persevered - I would have finished my degree in the allotted four years, and commenced my further career right on schedule. But in the end, as I was to figure out, everything works out eventually.

Whilst I set about finishing my studies, I began working at a government organisation as a law clerk. This role brought me into direct contact with the practical side of the legal profession and reinvigorated my passion for law. But on the flip side, it had me thinking once more about what I was going to do once my degree had finished.

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ET CETERA - ISSUE 2 2019 As it so happened, on one particular day, a colleague of mine caught me looking at my resume as I contemplated applying for clerkships. We started up a conversation and from there I could feel my whole outlook on my career change. And here is what she taught me: Follow Your Heart and Set Your Own Goals It is important to find a career path that suits you. You may feel like your success will be measured by whether or not you work in a top tier law firm. But trust me, this is not the case.

The best career choice is the one your heart leads you to.

“...you don’t have to do everything in order to be successful. You just need to be happy.”

There is More Than One Way to Do Things It is perfectly acceptable to do things your own way. Some law students may participate in mooting and others may mentor students. The key takeaway here is that there is no one right way to do things, and you don’t have to do everything in order to be successful. You just need to be happy.

Do Things You Really Want to Do Remember, do not push yourself into something that you feel you should do for the sake of someone else’s expectations. Do something because you want to. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

Happiness Should Be the End Goal And lastly, as my colleague so eloquently put, ‘your job is only your net worth, it should not amount to your self-worth’. Therefore, always follow your dreams and do what makes you happy. After all, a happy lawyer is a productive lawyer.

Although the above could seem overly logical, sometimes you need to actually hear it from someone else before you feel comfortable enough to enact it. But once you do, there is no turning back, and a more fulfilling law career will lay ahead of you.

Tayla is Bachelor of Laws (LLB) student and in her final trimester at Deakin University. She is a passionate animal rights advocate and loves playing with all her pets, particularly her two chickens.

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CONTINENTAL SHIFT SHIFA SHAIKH My experience as an international law student.

I do not gamble, but many said I did once: four years ago when I applied to a university in a different continent and alien culture, and then left home just clutching a scholarship and three bags of sundry personal possessions.

I had spent seventeen years living a sheltered, domesticated life under the care of my parents in India. A sixteen-hour flight later, I was in Australia and out in the open. I clearly remember my first day here, which I spent revelling in a sense of heightened freedom and coming to terms with the realisation that I, a girl who had not even learnt to drive a car by that time, had irrevocably decided to steer my own life.

Being an only child of working parents, I had grown accustomed to, and comfortable with, solitude and the company of books and my imagination over people. In the course of hours, my fairly peaceful existence came to an abrupt end, and I found myself living with relatives and previously unshouldered responsibilities in a bustling joint family. My own story had suddenly been paced, leaving me with no time to sit daydreaming, reading and writing.

My strong conviction that I would not experience culture shock upon arrival in Australia unfortunately proved to be erroneous. Hallmark movies and Nicholas Sparks novels turned out to be a grossly inaccurate portrayal of how life in present-day Western society would be.

Serving another huge blow was the fact that I, a formerly high-achieving student who cried like the world was going to end over any score below 90, was now struggling to keep scoring in the high 70’s. Failing to consistently do so would have cost me my scholarship, without

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which I would have had to return to India carrying my three bags and the shame of unforgettable failure.

While I was caught up in the process of grappling with the unanticipated pressures and changes I was experiencing, my confidence fell down somewhere and was lost for quite a while. I had so far taken pride in standing apart from the crowd but was now overridden with desperation to fit in. Every part of me appeared to me obtrusively in contrast with my new surroundings. Elevating my feelings of inadequacy and helplessness during my early days here was the absence of employment and the rapid depletion of the funds I had brought with me.

“Hallmark movies and Nicholas Sparks novels turned out to be a grossly inaccurate portrayal of how life in present-day Western society would be.”

In retrospect, mere patience could have greatly lessened my turmoil because eventually, albeit slowly, my circumstances did ameliorate. I gradually grew used to the chaos and carved a corner for myself in my new household. The culture shock began to wear off as I formed connections with local students and got a chance to observe and understand their lifestyle at close quarters. I came to terms with the fact that university and school studies were very dissimilar and learnt to temper my academic expectations accordingly.

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With my mentor Dr Julian Burnside AO QC

Employment too began to trickle in. At first, I was only able to find volunteer legal work and could only get sales, customer service, administrative, research and teaching-based paid roles. However, citing experience from these helped me later secure paid legal work. Moreover, my volunteering experiences helped me identify causes I genuinely cared about. As I began to find my feet again, my lost confidence too reappeared bit by bit.

The way I tell my story may give off the impression of an upward curve. This could not be further from the truth. My path has been strewn with highs and lows throughout. I struggled at the start, struggled in the middle and continue to struggle. Every turn reveals new rewards and new challenges, both professional and personal. Everyday, mistakes are made and lessons are learned. Every now and then, some dreams are realised and some hopes are buried. What shall be the outcome of this endeavour, I know not. Whether I will ultimately be seen as successful in the eyes of the world, I am unsure.

However, one thing I can say with certainty is

that my continental shift was not a gamble.

Rather, it was the best investment I made into my growth. For it was in Melbourne that I got the chance to cultivate my mind, expand my wisdom, toughen my heart, shed my naivety and abandon my inhibitions. I left home only knowing that I wanted to be a lawyer and what I did not want in my life. Now, I have a much better idea of what I do want in my life. Whether I am nearing some of my goals or whether I still have miles to walk before I reach any of them, it is hard to tell; my road is not a straight one. I have absolutely no clue what lies beyond the bends. But it helps to believe the best does.

Shifa Shaikh recently completed a Bachelor of Law degree, works as a paralegal at Corrs Chambers Westgarth and is about to start a Master of Law degree this October.

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FEEL LIKE A LAW SCHOOL FRAUD? ME TOO. JESSIE NYGH

Imposter syndrome is a frequent issue for law students and high achievers.

While a fear of failure can be motivating in limited circumstances, constantly requiring external validation is unsustainable for long term happiness and success.

Michelle Obama and I have something in common. No, it’s unfortunately not fantastic arms, a powerful husband or immaculate style. We both suffer from imposter syndrome.

Walking into the first day of my clerkship, I was convinced I would arrive to be told there had been some mistake. I was thrilled to receive an offer from a firm I had only dreamed about working for. However, on my first day a little voice in my head told me I didn’t belong.

I sat in a room of high achievers, convinced my WAM and lack of commercial understanding were stamped across my forehead for the room to see. I continued through my clerkship waiting for the day that a challenging task or question would leave me exposed for the fraud that I felt I was.

Imposter syndrome is rampant in the legal industry. According to a 2011 article in the International Journal of Behavioral Science, an estimated 70 percent of the population will experience at least one episode of imposter syndrome in their lifetimes. A form of anxiety, imposter syndrome leaves you feeling like your success is due to luck alone or a mistake.

It has been described by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes as “phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable or creative despite evidence of high achievement.” Sufferers often see others around them as smarter than themselves,

and perpetually fear making a mistake in their work despite intelligence and experience. It’s generally accompanied with perfectionism, and an intense fear of rejection or failure.

“I have spent a good few years thinking: ‘if I can just accomplish this, then I’ll feel like I belong’. The problem is, ‘this’ was always changing.”

A small fear of failure can be motivating at times. It can help keep you on track with your studies, work hard and ask for help when you’re struggling. It can also help you not to tread too far into ‘Dunning-Kruger’ territory, the term given to underachievers who lack self-awareness, considering themselves to be smarter or better than they are. You may be wondering then: why is impostor syndrome a problem? Well firstly, the feeling sucks. Secondly, it’s likely holding you back from taking a risk, putting yourself out there and enjoying your hard-earned success. Finally, it’s a waste of emotional energy.

I have spent a good few years thinking: ‘if I can just accomplish this, then I’ll feel like I belong’.

The problem is, ‘this’ was always changing.

Whether it be a better grade, a competition

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Credit: Errantscience.com

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win or a new job, each time I accomplished a goal the feeling didn’t go away. Thankfully, there is an answer: just be more confident!

Just kidding, it’s never that easy.

In order to improve your feelings of imposter syndrome, you need to change your internal monologue. This is a little more than ‘thinking positive’. Lawyers are often logical thinkers. Next time the little voice in your head starts calling you a fraud, use that logical reasoning we are known for to think the issue through. Achieved a good grade? Instead of thinking it was a fluke, think about the hours you spent in the library reading through the textbook. Scored your dream clerkship? It wasn’t a mistake, think about those connections you made and the hard work that got you there.

Another way to combat feelings of fraud is to talk to other law students and lawyers about their own experiences. We all have someone in our lives who we look at and think: ‘wow, they are doing so well and it seems so effortless’. I have found talking to people I admire has made me realise everyone has these feelings of doubt at every level, from your fellow students all the way through to commercial

partners. It can also help to keep a positive circle of friends to remind you that your internal monologue can be deceiving and untrue.

Finally, if negative thoughts are taking over your life and self-esteem, it may be time to seek professional help. Seeing someone to talk through these issues is incredibly helpful and more accessible with a mental health plan, which you can obtain from your General Practitioner.

I still feel like a fraud at times, and I probably will for some time to come. The more I talk to others feeling this way, and work on my own internal monologue, the less impactful these feelings become. So the next time you worry about feeling like a fraud, remember you’re not successful because of some mistake or through luck. You’re successful because you earned it.

Jessie is a final year law student and Competitions Officer on the Deakin Law Students’ Society. In her spare time Jessie enjoys stressing about things that probably won’t happen and giving advice on topics she’s not qualified in.

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LITTLE FAILURES Throughout law school, it’s easy to get caught up in everyone’s shiny LinkedIn profiles, and think everyone has it together except you. But believe it or not, everyone is making it up as they go, and we all fail once in a while.

So if you need to stay grounded, here are some of our little failures which will hopefully reassure you that everyone is a bit of a mess.

“Thought a ‘trial judge’ was the practice judge or fill in if the actual one was sick.. I now know it’s just the judge of the trial”

“Didn’t realise video interview was capped at 3 attempts so my first question is me introducing myself then going ‘arghhhhaevebxgci’ ... good first impression”

“I submitted a draft of my thesis 2000 words shorter than it should be as I forgot to omit footnotes from the word count.”

“I opened up a unit guide for the first time this week thinking Week 5 is a great time to get started on content & saw there was an assignment due on the 26th of July”

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“Having someone else spill wine on your dress at law ball and now having to pay for it because it is DAMAGED”

“Day one of clerkship at HSF I asked a grad how they are enjoying their grad year at Landers. ”

“I only found out last week that MinterEllison is not spelt MinterEllinson”

“Finding myself submitting an assignment 4 days late and patting myself on the back for doing so much better than people who submit them 5 days late.”

“I ripped up an original court doc in the photocopier because I forgot to take out staples. It’s fine, got another copy. THEN I DID IT AGAIN AND RIPPED UP THAT COPY”

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“I printed 52 pages of judgement onto A3 paper”

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ELEVATING A LEGAL EDUCATION THROUGH ‘LAWWITHOUTWALLS’ ERIC LAY Earlier this year, Deakin University participated in LawWithoutWalls (LWOW) for the first time, and I was fortunate enough to be one of a select few students that would join the program. Prior to applying back in late October 2018, I didn’t know a single thing about the program. Essentially, LawWithoutWalls Original is a global education program that challenges aspiring and qualified legal practitioners to solve programs at the intersection of law, business and technology. While the beginning and the end of the program is held in person in an international location, for the 16 weeks in between teams will learn to work all virtually from across the world. Through this, participants learn to approach law with the mindsets, skillsets and behaviours of innovators. While this is an elevator pitch of the program, it is so much more than that. LawWithoutWalls will challenge you and push you outside your comfort zone. You will make genuine connections with people from all around the world, and you will learn to be brave.

I first found out about LawWithoutWalls when I came across a post about it on CloudDeakin back in December 2018. There wasn’t much on what it was or entailed besides being on legal innovation. The application process involved a written submission to the Deakin faculty staff facilitating the program and an interview with them, a video submission to the organisers of LawWithoutWalls, and if successful, a final video interview with them as well. Despite the lack of information, I was really interested in legal innovation at the time and wanted to grasp the opportunity to explore this new side

“LawWithoutWalls will challenge you and push you outside your comfort zone.

You will make genuine connections with people from all around the world, and you will learn to be brave.” of the law that I had felt was absent in my legal education thus far, so I submitted my application and was accepted a month later.

Kick-Off The start of my LawWithoutWalls journey began at Kick-Off in IE University in Segovia, Spain where I met my team in-person for the very first time. My team consisted of law students from Harvard Law School (Boston), Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication (Paris) and Austral University (Argentina), while the mentors ranged from a legal professor from Bucerius, a policy advisor from United Nations and lawyers from LATAM Airlines. In Segovia, I discovered that my team challenge was “Fasten Your Seatbelts: How can airlines protect consumer data from cyber-attacks and other data security breaches” (Sponsored by LATAM Airlines). While I had no background in cybersecurity, this was an area that I was interested in as cybersecurity was a growing concern for everyone. During the weekend, the founder of the program, Michelle De Stefano, gave amazing presentations and exercises

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on why innovation was needed in law and how best to prepare ourselves for the future of law.

This also included a mini-hackathon, which was a 6-hour problem-solving marathon that challenged every team to come up with a solution to ‘reimagine legal education’. My advice for future Deakin students at Kick-Off is to not take things too seriously and have fun, without it, my team wouldn’t have won the mini-hackathon with our idea ‘Old People Law School’!

Virtual Experience For the following 16 weeks, I learned the 5 LWOW steps of innovation – background research, problem refinement, identifying a target audience, prototype and business case. I also learned how to work remotely with an international team that spanned 8 different time zones, conduct investigative research, pivot and change ideas, and learned accounting in 2 weeks to create a financial business case among other things. While having team meetings at 1am and 6am in the morning every week was tiring, I got to build genuine connections with my teammates that will last a lifetime, and developed resilience and bravery through it all.

ConPosium My journey ended at the ConPosium in Miami Law School where my team’s solution to the challenge was ‘AirWareness,’ an educational initiative to increase the cyber resilience of passengers through curated videos and cybersecurity tools. Through this, ‘AirWareness’ would protect passengers against data breaches whilst in the air. My team was the first one to pitch to over 200 venture capitalists, legal practitioners and industry professionals on the weekend, and I am proud of our performance.

Kicking off the ConPosium with our pitch, ‘AirWareness,’ at Miami

tunities that I wouldn’t have had without this experience.

I encourage all Deakin students interested in law, innovation, technology, and challenging themselves to apply for the next LawWithoutWalls program later this year. It is truly an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your legal education to the next level.

You can find out more about LWOW here: http://lawwithoutwalls.org/ Eric is a final year law student at Deakin University who also works in VIP Operations and Service at Crown Casino. Outside of studies and work, Eric volunteers with The Legal Forecast in organising a national hackathon and spear-heading Australia’s first community-sourced podcast on legal innovation. This year he will also participate in ‘Hacker Exchange’ in Singapore, where he will accelerate a business idea centred on how small law firms acquire client business.

Despite not winning the competition in the end, success really comes afterwards when the program is finished. Since my participation in LawWithoutWalls, I have found a passion for not only legal innovation but also entrepreneurship, which has opened up career oppor

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VOLUNTEERING WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S COMMUNITY VISITOR PROGRAM CALVIN WHITE My name is Calvin White, a second-year law/ commerce student at Deakin. During Trimester 3 2018 whilst undertaking MWL101 – Personal Insight and being unable to work due to a serious injury, I decided upon some selfreflection that there were some aspects of my life I would like to improve. As a mature-age student, leaving behind a 10-year career as a chef, I had never taken the time to become properly involved with or give back to the community. I sought a volunteer opportunity that

“It is rare to be afforded the opportunity in a volunteer position that could result in a change of government policy for the better.” offered a significant positive impact to the community, and would allow me to develop new skills along the way. I am now roughly six months into the Office of The Public Advocate’s Community Visitor Program as a trainee in the disability services stream, and believe that the time I have set aside for volunteering has been invaluable.

Community Visitors Program The Community Visitors Program confers power through Victorian legislation for volunteers to be appointed by the Governor-in-Council to safeguard and advocate for the interests and rights of vulnerable members of the community. The program operates in three key areas

– disability accommodation services, mental health and supported residential services, with the respective legal framework of each service making provisions granting Community Visitors (‘CVs) legal privilege to enter premises of service providers.

The Disability Act 2006 (Vic) grants powers of inspection to CVs, who will compile visitation reports on the complicity of the service provider with the principle rights of a person living with a disability, as set out at section 5 of the Disability Act 2006 (Vic). These reports contribute to an annual report published by the Office of the Public Advocate, that is tabled in state parliament. Responses are then made by parliament to the recommendations of the annual report. The 2017/2018 Annual Report states that the disability stream CVs reported 3914 issues, with 37% of these issues resolved and closed.

Influencing Real Results An important influence in my choice to join the CV program is the opportunity to generate actual realised results. The 2015/2016 Annual Report’s number one recommendation from the disability stream was for the provision of ‘full public reporting on all incidents and allegations of abuse and neglect, as well as the outcomes of these reports and any investigations.’

The response from state parliament included expanding section 16(c) of the Disability Act 2006 (Vic), meaning the Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing must refer all incidents that may constitute abuse or neglect to The

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Disability Services Commissioner for review, with findings to be published in the Commissioner’s annual report. It is rare to be afforded the opportunity in a volunteer position that could result in a change of government policy for the better.

“Community Visitors observe the environment and staff interaction with residents and patients, make enquiries and inspect documents, and where possible communicate with residents and patients to ensure they are being cared for and supported with dignity and respect, and to identify any issues of concern.

Having little experience in the field of disability services, I was nervous as I stepped into my role as a trainee CV. Having been guided on visits by a well-experienced CV, and provided training along the way, I am now in the process of being appointed as a CV. The program provides an excellent opportunity to grow skills in advocacy. Far more importantly, it has provided me the opportunity to connect with some wonderful people I wouldn’t have otherwise had the pleasure of meeting. These interactions have provided for a full spectrum of emotions and are character-building in the extreme.

They visit unannounced and write a brief report at the conclusion of the visit detailing who they have spoken to, what documents they have looked at, any issues of concern, as well as good practice they have observed.

For anyone seeking volunteer opportunities whilst they undertake a degree, I would highly recommend looking into the opportunities provided by the Office of the Public Advocate.

Although the program requires a minimum 2-year commitment, the Community Visitor Program is an important program providing advocacy to vulnerable members of our local communities. And let’s face it – nothing feels better than helping out another person!

Community Visitors raise issues with management of the service and the Department of Health and Human Services, and in cases of abuse or neglect Community Visitors notify the Public Advocate.

The findings, observations and recommendations of Community Visitors are compiled in their annual report to Victorian Parliament”

Calvin White is a 2nd year commerce/law student at Deakin. He takes delight in indulging in great coffee and is a huge Carlton supporter.

publicadvocate.vic.gov.au

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THE OPPORTUNITY I REFUSED TO MISS JESSICA ALESCI-PETTITT

In January 2019, I embarked on a journey that would forever alter my perspective of the world, and shape the person I am today.

Together with thirty other students, I embraced the opportunity to study International Environmental Law at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. I will never forget the experience to study abroad, as it provided me with an abundance of opportunities: the opportunity to see the world while making lifelong friends, the opportunity to gain life experience which allowed me to flourish and grow. Finally, the opportunity that no one will tell you, an appreciation of home.

A New Family Traveling abroad provides students from such diverse backgrounds the ability to come together and redefine a sense of belonging. Despite our differences, we shared a common interest: an appreciation of adventure. Each day we discovered a new beauty, new culture, new experiences, all whilst becoming a part of a community.

The relationships you build whilst living and studying overseas are something to be treasured. From sharing ideas within the classroom to seeing snow for the first time, the memories are endless. Together we opened our hearts and minds to a new world and experienced all of the wonders the Netherlands had to offer.

For four weeks, we called Maastricht our homeaway-from-home. The serenity, the rich diversity and the abundance of knowledge strengthened our bond. We were able to see the world

Day trip to The Hermitage

from the perspective of our neighbours, building an unbreakable bond which has only flourished since our return home.

Personal Growth Studying abroad is unlike any experience you could imagine. The skills you learn and the obstacles you face allow you to develop in ways that no other opportunity could provide.

Society begs the question: did you find yourself whilst overseas? The short answer is yes.

I learnt that no matter where you come from, no matter what you do, no matter who you are, with kindness and a little dash of confidence, two people can always be friends.

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“I will never forget the experience to study abroad, as it provided me with an abundance of opportunities: the opportunity to see the world while making lifelong friends, the opportunity to gain life experience which allowed me to flourish and grow.”

There are so many benefits to travelling abroad that people do not consider. One of which is what I like to call the career advantage. You will return home with a different perspective, a new way of thinking and a new network - all of which are valuable tools in your career arsenal.

gratefulness of home.

Conclusion The memories, the experiences, and love I have gained abroad will stay with me throughout my life. I have gained new friends that I am proud to call my family. I have gained a new perspective on myself and how I am. I have gained a love and respect for Australia. I want to end on this note: I almost did not apply to study abroad until a friend said these words to me that I now pass to you: you will miss every opportunity you do not take, so take every opportunity.

Jessica is a Law Student at Deakin University who is passionate about environmental and employment law. In her spare time, you can find her at the Debating Club, catching up with friends or family and enjoying a walk with her dogs.

Now I ask you, what will you learn overseas?

Maybe it’s a simple as trying an exotic dish you were never willing to explore at home. Maybe it’s a little bit more complex, like learning to be more responsible. The possibilities for growth are endless.

Home is Where the Heart is Experiencing the world from the locals perspective allows you to appreciate your roots: your family, your friends, your home country.

No one will tell you how proud you will feel to be Australian; even though you’ll find an adoration of studying abroad, home is where the heart is.

You may experience a ‘culture shock’ as they call it, which merely proves to be an experience of a different culture. This so-called ‘shock’ allows you to gain a love for your homeland. When the trip comes to an end, there’s a feeling of peace. You’ll find a fresh-perspective upon the world, a different sense of self and a

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4 PRINCIPLES FOR THE INTROVERT ABROAD CASSANDRA HOOIMEYER Four tips to help introverts make the most of their experience on study abroad programs.

It’s the centre of Melbourne. I’m in an uber chatting with a colleague about his recent family holiday and make the representation that I understand Hawaii is located near Cuba.

It isn’t. However, my interest in geography revolves around its relationship to ancient history and tourism is not my thing. If you’re introverted like me, perhaps you too, find travel is often synonymous with an exhaustion of new faces, places and rushed experiences. I know I need space to breathe, recoup and just be.

So when I applied for an intensive contract law unit in the UK over the 2019 June-July break, it was with the knowledge that I needed to humour my introversion in the process. Embrace the experience, but take care of my mental health too.

You don’t need to be an extrovert to thrive on a trip abroad. I adopted four principles that helped me come home refreshed with a litany of memories to share.

Principle 1: Explore alone (IF safe).

The cornerstone trait of the introvert is a love of solitude. For me, being alone is not about avoiding people. It’s about the freedom to follow the impulse to duck into a random store without inconveniencing a group, to watch a street performance on repeat to get the perfect photograph, to sit in on a local court hearing.

I chose the UK because to my mind, staying safe is comparable to Australia. The safety measures I took were largely the same as my Melbourne habits: stick to ‘good areas’, let someone know my location, don’t stay out after dusk. And so, in the free-time of our London induction program I wandered alone.

It was so much fun.

Principle 2: Let the New Friendships Evolve Naturally.

Our host university had an excellent social itinerary and encouraged us to intentionally bond with each other in the first few days because ‘the first days formed the friendships’.

Although perhaps true of extroverts, it’s not true of me. My friendships take time. Real connection can’t be forced with chit chat and proximity.

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In the words of Shakespeare, ‘to thine own self be true’. I pursued connections as I usually do: in the everyday tasks of shopping and cooking, evening walks around campus, conversations about socio-cultural issues across the dinner table. Some people stayed acquaintances, others became real friends.

Be yourself.

Principle 3: Push Your Comfort Zone to Connect (Sometimes).

I love getting to really know people. While it’s important to be oneself, sometimes it is still necessary to extend oneself. There are some social skills more natural to the extrovert that I try to practice, such as the art of a good, light-hearted conversation. There are capabilities more natural to the extrovert that I push myself to embrace, such as getting involved in random group plans that feel unnervingly unmoored.

If you’re mentally refreshed and well, there are memories to be made in the process of engaging with the group. There are people and cultures to observe and awesome things to do that you can’t do alone (safely!) such as cycling through London at midnight.

Be yourself – but be engaged.

Principle 4: Communicate With Home in a Unique Way. Introverted and chatty are not synonymous. Phone calls can be tiring, and it’s not always easy to express what’s been going on verbally. Emails are time-consuming. Social media feels impersonal. So how do you stay connected with those back home?

While I did call home, but the bulk of my communication went through a closed Instagram circle. Before leaving for the UK, I had the photographers among my family and friends give me tips about taking good pictures. Then, while I walked through my day, I kept my phone camera open to the ‘stories’ around me and posted to a small circle of nine a selection of photos each evening using the Instagram story tools to comment on my experiences.

It opened a door to my experiences, not only for those at home but for myself as well.

The introvert is not doomed to the couch, nor to an exhausting experience with the outside world. It’s possible to find a way of travelling the world that resonates with and refreshes you.

Cassandra’s just another law student. She side-hustles under the brand Wildergeese.

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HEARSAY Although our stock and trade is cases and legislation, us law students can sometimes strike comedy gold.

If you’re in the mood for a chuckle, here are some choice quotes overheard throughout the course of the trimester. To those quoted, don’t worry we can’t hold you against you - it’s Hearsay!

“What is defence in law? is it like military or defence lawyers?”

"Catholic school is great, I can interpretive dance to any part of the Gospel"

"I wanna pay for my alcohol in coins"

"I didn't realise the junior moot problem I wrote involved equity"

"Can I pay for PaperCut with AMEX?"

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"How do you pinpoint reference?"

"I don't pinpoint reference, or if I do, I just make it up"

“Wow your WAM is SINKING”

At Hungry Jacks, while talking about the future:

"I DONT KNOW WHAT I WANT"

“It's okay you're in third year"

"No large or medium onion rings"

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DLSS September 2019