MARCH 2020
A comprehensive guide to your first weeks of law school.
FIRST YEAR GUIDE
FOREWORD This publication is provided free of charge from the Deakin Law Students’ Society (DLSS) on the understanding that the editors, all contributors and any other persons related to this publication are not responsible for the actions of readers based on the information, error or omission in the publication. The views given in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the editors, DLSS or Deakin Law School. 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
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Design: Jack Enticott Editor: Jack Enticott Editor-in-Chief: Kim Koelmeyer
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TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Welcome
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What is the DLSS?
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DLSS Memberships
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Portfolio Introductions
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Join the Committee!
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First Year Law Camp
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Competitions 13 What is Corporate Wear?
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JD Students
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International Students
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Your Units
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How to do a Law Assignment
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Textbooks 18 Getting to Deakin
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Admission to Practice
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Business and Law Mentors
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Allens Social Sport
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Campus Map
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Law School Tricks of the Trade
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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Anabelle Weinberg 2020 President Deakin Law Students’ Society
I wish you a warm welcome to Deakin and nities and resources to develop personally, congratulations on beginning your professionally, academically and socially, journey through Deakin Law School! to overcome these challenges. My name is Anabelle Weinberg and I am the 2020 President of the Deakin Law Students’ Society (DLSS). The DLSS is the peak representative body for Deakin Law Students and we are here to help you through your time at Law School.
My best advice: get involved! It makes university ten times more enjoyable. Whether it be First Year Law Camp, our First Year Crash Course Workshop or our First Year competitions, we are confident you will find plenty of ways to involve yourself with the DLSS, so please don’t hesitate!
We understand that beginning a law degree can signal a new chapter in your life, If you have any questions, please don’t and whilst you will find it to be incredibly hesitate to contact me at rewarding and intellectually stimulating, president@deakinlss.org. at times it can be challenging! Our aim is to support and provide you with opportu-
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WHAT IS THE DLSS? The Deakin Law Students’ Society (‘DLSS’) is a student-run organisation which operates on behalf of all Deakin Law students. The DLSS is one of Deakin’s most popular and longest-standing student societies. Our overarching goal is to assist students of Deakin Law School to maximise their university experience. We host a variety of events over the year which are specifically tailored to students like you. Whether you’re looking to meet other law students, improve your grades or get informed on your career options, the DLSS is here for you. You can find us online at www.deakinlss.org
DLSS MEMBERSHIPS We highly encourage you to become an official member of the DLSS by signing up for a membership. The amazing perks include: • Discounted ticket prices for DLSS events, • Exclusive event recaps from our Commercial Careers, Social Justice & Equity and Industry Careers portfolios, • An email subscription to the DLSS (where we advertise interships and paid positions within law firms), • Access to revision sessions, and • Voting rights at our annual general meeting. Best of all, your membership won’t break the bank. At just $10, the value of a DLSS membership is unparallelled! Sign up to join the DLSS here: https://dlssmembership.getqpay.com/
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PORTFOLIO INTRODUCTIONS
AC T I V I T I E S The Activities Portfolio develops and manages all social events on the DLSS calendar. These events encompass and facilitate student interaction across all year levels. We believe that having a strong and supportive network is the key to academic success. The DLSS recognises that many first-year students may be anxious about entering a new and unfamiliar study environment. Which is why we host many social events throughout the year to support students, our most memorable being: Bar Hop: An O’Week event where students have the opportunity to meet one another before beginning another academic year ahead, First Year Law Camp: An exclusive three-day camp focused upon developing first year law student relationships prior to their studies; and Deakin Law Ball: A celebratory event held at Crown Melbourne to signify the end of studies for the academic year. We continuously strive to create a supportive environment through our events, where students can socialise and develop peer relationships. Additionally, we hope that these events will not only leave you with friendships beyond your degree, but also memories of a lifetime.
M AR K E T I N G The Marketing Portfolio is the bridge between law students and the society. We are responsible for the brand and image of the DLSS and how we appear to the rest of the cohort. We aim to maintain and improve our relationship with students by advertising events and initiatives in a way that best appeals to the student body. The DLSS can be found on a number of platforms including Facebook and Instagram. The marketing portfolio creates content and provides constant updates keeping all students informed throughout the year. We work tirelessly with other portfolios creating marketing plans to ensure our events are catered to each and every law student. The Marketing portfolio is also responsible for merchandise, O’Week, memberships and photography.
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COM MUN I C AT I O NS The Communications Portfolio is responsible for producing all DLSS-wide publications - including this one! Through our initiatives, we aim to equip Deakin Law students with the information they need to be informed, conscientious members of the law school and wider legal profession. Our main offering is Et Cetera, the DLSS’ flagship publication. It is a bi-annual magazine which features contributions from students about everything from legal issues, lifestyle articles and tales from studies abroad! We encourage any aspiring writers to put their hand up to contribute to Et Cetera - we are always on the hunt for new perspectives, and it’s a great way to put yourself out into the legal community. Be sure to follow the DLSS on social media to know when we are seeking contributions. We also have a number of new tricks up our sleeve for 2020, so be on the lookout for the Communications Portfolio in print and online!
SO CIAL J US T I CE AN D EQ U I T Y The Social Justice and Equity (SJE) portfolio aims to engage Deakin Law students on the issues of social justice, equality, and opportunity, working to promote a culture of compassionate, informed and socially conscious graduates. We encourage students to recognise areas where social justice and the law intersect and encourage them to use their talents in promoting a more just society. 2020 is the inaugural year for the DLSS Queer Officer, who will be working to represent the LGBTIQ+ community, alongside the SJE officers. Our portfolio addresses issues including child labour and modern slavery, refugee rights, environmental law, indigenous land rights, and diversity in the law. This year, the portfolio aims to address issues in a global context, discussing topics from a perspective that extends beyond Australia’s borders. In 2020, our key events planned are; 1. Creating a team / participating in the Run 4 Refugees campaign 2. Modern Slavery / Child Labour Panel 3. Pro-Bono Practice Panel 4. Women in Law Panel 5. Alternative Legal Careers Expo (collaboration with Industry Portfolio) 5. Queer Networking Night and Queer Mixer (collaboration with Monash and Melbourne Unis)
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PORTFOLIO INTRODUCTIONS
COM PE T I T I O NS The Competitions Portfolio is responsible for organising and facilitating all competitions run by the DLSS. We aim to equip students with practical legal skills to supplement the theoretical knowledge they have gained so far in their law degrees, as well as creating a collegial atmosphere where students are able to engage with their peers. This year, the Competitions Portfolio is running seven competitions: Senior Moot, Junior Moot, Senior Negotiation, Junior Negotiation, Witness Examination, Client Interview and Legal Innovation. The aim of running these competitions is to allow students multiple chances to gain employable skills in a variety of legal areas and to receive quality feedback from experienced judges. Students who perform well will receive opportunities to engage with law firms, as well as compete at an intervarsity level. All students are encouraged to compete regardless of skill level or experience. The Competitions Portfolio aims to create an inviting and collegial atmosphere where, throughout the year, we host workshops and provide learning resources so that each and every student feels equipped with an opportunity to compete and learn.
ED U C AT I O N The Education Portfolio’s role is to deliver events and initiatives to empower students to achieve their academic goals, whilst focusing on their own wellbeing. With initiatives such as a seminar regarding mindset and belief, as well as blogs and Instagram content reminding you of ways to take care of yourself, you’ll understand the benefits of focussing on your wellbeing and why it is crucial for your studies. Academically, we run workshops that help you understand what legal research is as well as how to write HD quality essays or case notes. We also provide Exam Revision Sessions for particular subjects which provide an opportunity for you to be led through revision tips and tricks by a high-achieving student. Our goal is for you to learn how to develop your own academic skills whilst taking care of your wellbeing during your time at University.
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COM M ER CIAL C AR EER S The Commercial Careers Portfolio is responsible for all events and initiatives relating to careers in the commercial sphere. Commercial firms’ graduate, clerkship and pre-penultimate programs are the focus of these initiatives. However, students who aren’t interested in pursuing a career in commercial law can still gain valuable insight into the skills relevant to careers in law in general, such as application writing and interviewing skills. Commercial Careers events, such as Meet the Professionals and the Commercial Careers Fair, are some of the most heavily sponsored DLSS events. As such, the reputation of Deakin Law students is central to the focus of the Commercial Careers Portfolio. Ensuring that Deakin Law students have an astute commercial awareness and are informed of commercial firms’practice areas and values is of utmost importance to the Portfolio, as these are fundamental to career prosperity in the commercial sphere. Of course, none of these skills can be learnt overnight. For this reason, we strongly encourage pre-penultimate students to start getting involved in Commercial Careers initiatives as early as possible. Our events aim to serve as a springboard so Deakin Law students can make the leap from law student to young lawyer.
I N D US T RY C AR EER S The Industry Careers portfolio serves Deakin Law students by facilitating events and initiatives relating to careers beyond the commercial law sphere. Whilst Deakin has a reputation as a commercially astute law school, the Industry portfolio encourages students to recognise and pursue the vast range of alternative areas of law available to them. We introduce publications, innovative events and networking opportunities to demonstrate how law students can utilise their degree via these alternative pathways. The Industry portfolio operates in many areas, including specialised areas of law (such as Family Law, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Environmental Law, Migration and Refugee Law, or Sports Law), Barristers, Government positions (including Government Graduate programs), Prosecution, In-House legal service, Non-legal positions (such as Judges Associates), and everything in between. Ultimately, the Industry Careers Portfolio is here to help you explore your career options. We strongly encourage all students to attend our events, regardless of whether you are interested in alternative pathways, commercial law, and especially if you want to explore the avenues available to you. Engaging with our events will enable you to have a more holistic view when making your student and career decisions.
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2020 COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP President: Anabelle Weinberg Vice-President: Ben Zerbe Secretary: Cam Evans Sponsorship: Clare Carroll Immediate Past President: Tom Walsh
FINANCE
COMMERCIAL CAREERS Director: Kirk Bustin Officer: Sam Ejtemai Officer: Thomas Pateras Clerkship Guide Officer: Matthew O’Donnell
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY
Treasurer: Jack Short Finance Officer: Anthea Hasapis
ACTIVITIES Director: Sarah Fak Officer: Jack Leeds Officer: Ryan Chowdhury Officer: Alisha Roberts
EDUCATION Director: Soph McIntyre Officer: Despina Hrambanis Officer: Tian Steuart Officer: Nicholas Pavlis
COMPETITIONS Director: Georgia Gilbert Officer: Lucas Nicoll Officer: Simon Winiarski Officer: Surina Sood Officer: Manisha Dahal
Director: Nikki Doan Officer: Daniel Barac Officer: Jacqueline Fetter Queer Officer: Erik Hristovski
MARKETING Director: Zoe Sinadinos Marketing Officer: Amy Yang Social Media Officer: Dilshan Ranasinghe Graphic Design Officer: Brookelyn Hill
COMMUNICATIONS Director: Kim Koelmeyer Officer: Jack Enticott Officer: James Dance IT Officer: Lav Manohara JD Rep: Bek Jonas
INDUSTRY CAREERS Director: Jess Riordan Officer: Conor Beveridge Officer: Claire Taylor Officer: Zach Moon
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JOIN THE COMMITTEE! If you’re interested in attending law-oriented events, meeting fellow Deakin students and immersing yourself fully in the law school experience, then we have news for you. The DLSS is currently on the lookout for two First Year Representatives! As a First Year Representative, you will stand for the interests of your peers by helping us tailor events for your cohort. First Year Representatives kindle countless friendships, gain exposure to the intricacies of the DLSS and attend heaps of events. This is the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your university experience. Applications will be available online in week 4. Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page so you don’t miss out!
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FIRST YEAR LAW CAMP
Your most valuable asset at university this year will be your friends. In order to help you kindle a few long-lasting friendships, we’ve created First Year Law Camp. Join us for a fun-filled weekend of partying with your fellow law students right after your third week of university. You’ll be studying law for the next few years, why not invest in a few friendships? You can grab your tickets here: https://dlssfirstyearlawcamp-event. getqpay.com/
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COMPETITIONS
There is more to law than plowing through textbooks. Your success in the legal industry will depend on your problem solving, negotiating and presentation skills. Our Competitions Portfolio organises a range of competitions which allow you to develop the skills you won’t learn in lectures, such as negotiation, problem solving and public speaking. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our upcoming competitions!
UPCOMING COMPETITIONS JUNIOR MOOT
FIRST YEAR NEGOTIATION
The Junior Moot is designed for first and second year students who want to try their hand at appearing in a mock-court. Participants will refine their oral advocacy whilst revising their legal knowledge and improving their research skills.
The First Year Negotiation is an introductory competition which exposes students to alternate dispute resolution. Teams act on behalf of their respective fictional parties, using diplomacy and negotiation to reach a resolution outside of the court.
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WHAT IS CORPORATE WEAR? Smart casual? Business casual? Corporate attire? Navigating dress codes can be downright confusing, and you’re going to be dealing with them a lot as a law student. Fortunately, we at the DLSS have produced this handy guide so you always look the part. You’re welcome.
SMART CASUAL ‘Smart casual’ is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a style somewhere between formal and casual. You’ll wear smart casual to events where jeans and a t-shirt won’t cut it, but you’re not in suit territory either. Men can wear a button down shirt without a tie, although a jacket is encouraged. You can wear trousers or bone-coloured chinos coupled with dress shoes. Women should stick to a blouse and neat pants or a midlength skirt. However, clothing can be coloured or patterned and jewellery can be bolder. A cardigan is encouraged and shoes must be tasteful.
BUSINESS CASUAL ‘Business casual’ combines elements of corporate attire with more casual accessories. It is often adopted in progressive, yet professional, offices. Men can wear a neat t-shirt or a casual collared shirt. You should combine this with chinos, trousers or dark denim. Shoes can consist of loafers or dress shoes. Women are generally expected to wear a tidy t-shirt, jumper or blouse. This can be coupled with dark denim jeans or mid-length skirts. Footwear should be tasteful and workplace appropriate.
CORPORATE ATTIRE ‘Corporate attire’ is composed of formal clothing items which would be deemed appropriate for traditional and highly professional workplaces. Men are typically expected to wear a dark or natural coloured suit. You should be wearing a light-coloured shirt, a tie, a belt and dress shoes. For women, corporate attire consists of a conservative suit, a light-coloured shirt or blouse, a skirt (at knee length) or pants, stockings and closed-toe dress shoes.
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JD STUDENTS To those starting a Juris Doctor at Deakin Law School in 2020, we’d like to extend our congratulations! We are honoured to have you and can’t wait to meet you at our events this year. The DLSS strives to provide services which are beneficial to both JD and LLB students, so please don’t hesitate to attend any of the activities we organise. If have any questions for the DLSS, don’t hesitate to contact our JD Representative, Bek Jonas at jd1@deakinlss.org.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS If you’re commencing your law degree as an international student, you deserve the warmest of welcomes! Moving away from home can be a daunting and isolating experience. You are very brave to have made the move to Deakin and we’re working hard to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. If you’re looking to build a social network, then we encourage you to attend our events. You’ll be sure to meet others in the same boat. If you need further support, the International Student Support Centre is your go-to. They are located in Building B and are there to help you with anything from homesickness to financial struggles. Find them at https://www.deakin.edu.au/international-students/living-in-australia/support-for-international-students. The DLSS is always here to support you. Our role is to help you with this difficult transition. Hence, we’d love to offer as much support as possible! 15
YOUR UNITS MLL110: LEGAL RESEARCH AND STATUTORY INTERPRETATION Welcome to the Deakin Law School and welcome to MLL110! This unit is all about legal research and statutory interpretation. Don’t worry if this sounds daunting, boring, or if you don’t know exactly what it means. The teaching team is here to show you the importance of - and fun you can have with - legal research skills and statutory interpretation. You will get to have interesting debates and discussions about what law is, learn about the history of the Australian legal system, the importance of indigenous law in Australia, how laws are made, how to actually find the law, and more importantly, how to understand that research. The teaching team in MLL110 are really looking forward to meeting you and working with you over this trimester. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions - law is challenging but we are always here to support you. By Alice Meece, Unit Chair 2019. Your Unit Chair - TBC
MLL113: LEGAL COMMUNICATION AND ETHICAL DECISION MAKING Welcome to MLL113 Legal Communication and Ethical Decision Making! In this unit you will focus on developing important legal skills, such as: communication skills, legal analysis and problem-solving skills, legal research skills and legal referencing skills. These skills are essential for success both at Law School and in legal practice. You will also be introduced to the important ethical and professional responsibilities of lawyers, with an emphasis on those duties which regulate how a lawyer communicates with clients, the court, fellow members of the legal profession, as well as the wider public. All the best for a successful first Trimester! Your Unit Chair - Kelly Green: k.green@deakin.edu.au 16
HOW TO DO A LAW ASSIGNMENT 1
MAKE A START ASAP!
Begin working on your assignment straight away, simply creating a plan will be enough to get you started. Carry this momentum and aim to finish with a few days to spare!
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Compile, and format, all of your references as you find them. There is nothing more stressful than hurriedly compiling a reference list as you desperately try to meet the assignment deadline!
HIGHLIGHT THE KEY FACTS
Don’t sacrifice marks merely by skimming over a key fact. Highlight and re-read your brief at least three times before you start writing. You should address every key fact at least once!
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PROOFREAD YOUR WORK
Don’t put hours of work into an assignment only to lose marks for grammatical errors. You wouldn’t submit a poorly written brief to a client, so don’t submit poorly written assignments to your lecturers!
NEVER NEGLECT IRAC!
IRAC will soon become your best friend. It stands for Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion. This is the basis of all legal methodology! Plan around this acronym before you start writing.
REFERENCE AS YOU GO
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DON’T PLAGIARISE
There are very serious repercussions for plagiarism at a university level. It’s not worth permanently staining your academic records or legal career for the sake of a single assignment. 17
TEXTBOOKS As a law student, you’re going to want to invest in the prescribed textbooks. They will be your holy grail and, unlike in other units, much of the course is built around content in your textbooks. Lecturers will often prescribe large chunks of the textbook as reading and, although you can view these online, the physical copy will make your life easier. If you can’t justify investing in shiny new textbooks, we recommend you look to purchase a second-hand copy. The best sources for these elusive discount textbooks include Facebook Marketplace and the DUSA Bookshop. Just be conscious of the fact that the law changes surprisingly fast, so you should ensure the textbook you purchase remains relevant to your unit.
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GETTING TO DEAKIN
PUBLIC TRANPORT
If you plan on travelling to Deakin’s Burwood Campus via public transport, you’ll be pleased to find that there are a number of options available to you. If you’re running on a budget, be sure to download a transport concession card form from Student Connect (https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/your-campus/get-todeakin/public-transport-travel-concessions).
BUSES • 201: Box Hill to Deakin University • 281: Templestowe to Deakin University • 732: Box Hill to Upper Ferntree Gully • 767: Southland Shopping Centre to Box Hill
TRAMS • 75: City to Vermont
TRAINS • Box Hill Station (via Lilydale and Belgrave lines)
PARKING
If you’re planning on driving to Deakin, there is plenty of paid parking available. You can pay as you go by using the Cell-O-Park app. Through the app, parking will cost you $1.60 an hour, or $6.40 a day. The app is available at https://www.cellopark. com.au/Site/. But be warned. Parking inspectors monitor the carparks on a daily basis. Many students simply forget to enter their parking into the Cell-O-Park app when they arrive at uni. This innocent mistake will set you back $99! Long-term parking permits are also available at https://vpermit.com.au/deakin. A 120-day permit will only cost you $162.5, whilst a 365-day permit will cost $365. Assuming you plan on coming to uni at least two days per week for two trimesters, this is the cheapest option. You’ll also eliminate the burden of remembering to pay every day. Generally speaking, parking at Deakin is plentiful. Although, at the beginning of a trimester, or during heavy revision periods, carparks suddenly fill-up. Plan to arrive early! 19
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE We hate to break it you, but a university degree does not instantly deem you a lawyer. Those wishing to work as a legal practitioner in Victoria first need to gain admittance to the Supreme Court Roll. This is a three-step process:
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COMPLETE YOUR LLB OR JD First, you must attain a relevant qualification for the law, such as a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor in Law. Within this qualification, you will complete the ‘Priestley 11’, which is a standardised array of law units (such as Criminal Law, Torts and Contract Law) which must be successfully completed.
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COMPLETE YOUR PLT Once you have attained a qualification in the law, you have to complete your Practical Legal Training (PLT). This may either be completed through a traineeship with a firm, or through a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. This training will ensure you are equipped with the skills to complete legal work on behalf of clients.
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GAIN ADMISSION Finally, you need apply to be admitted to practice by the Legal Services Board. This requires you to provide evidence that you are a ‘fit and proper person’. To illustrate this, you must disclose every legal discretion you have ever committed, even parking tickets! Once your application is accepted, you are officially able to practice law!
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BUSINESS AND LAW MENTORS Your first few weeks of Law School can be a daunting experience. How do you do an assignment? Can you be late to class? How do you juggle everything? If you have any of these questions, the Faculty of Business and Law mentors can be a valuable resource. Mentors are current business and law students who are there to provide their first hand experience, advice and suggestions on any queries you may have. Everyone at university was in your shoes when they first started, so the Mentors are there to ensure your transition to Law School is as smooth as possible. You can sign up for the mentoring program here: https://www.deakin. edu.au/students/faculties/buslaw/student-support/mentor-program/ get-mentor
ALLENS SOCIAL SPORT Let’s face it, we could all benefit from a little exercise. If you’re looking to work up a sweat, meet heaps of new people and channel your competitive tendencies in a welcoming environment, then why not join us for a game of social netball? What: Deakin Law Students Society’s Netball Team - Sponsored by Allens. Who: All law students are welcome. When: Tuesday nights (times vary) throughout Trimesters 1 and 2. Where: Deakin’s gymnasium (located in Building HB). Be on the lookout on our Facebook for more information to sign up!
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CAMPUS MAP
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LAW SCHOOL TRICKS OF THE TRADE 1
Do your readings. Failure to prepare is preparation for failure. Read, and understand, the prescribed material and you’ll be giving yourself the best chance at success.
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Don’t skip seminars. Attending seminars will help you understand the practical application of the content you’re learning, which ultimately is what is assessed.
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Stay ahead, or at least don’t fall behind. Make a rule with yourself to always finish your reading before your seminar. Stay consistent throughout the entirety of the trimester and you’ll be in good stead come exams!
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Take pride in your notes. Nobody likes re-reading textbooks throughout the last week of the trimester. Save yourself the hassle by constructing clear, concise and consistent notes.
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Study with other law students. Law often involves complex interpretation of facts and problem-solving. Gain some clarity by discussing cases with fellow law students.
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Step away from the books. As much as we all love studying law, you should schedule in time to do other things. Try playing a sport, learning an instrument or acquiring a new skill.
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Get some ‘real’ experience. Whilst your grades are important, acquiring some practical work experience is essential for your CV. Volunteering, paralegal work or a part-time job are all looked upon favourably.
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Don’t sacrifice sleep. Law students often choose caffeine-fuelled study sessions over sleep. Try and resist the temptation. Sleep is your friend.
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Compete. Enter legal competitions to consolidate knowledge, meet new people and practice public-speaking. For many, competing ignites passion for a particular area of law.
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Be informed. Subscribe to Et Cetera, our bi-annual magazine, which will update you on all things Deakin Law School.
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