NEWS 9
Jyoti Chumber, Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer and Vito Giambalvo
At the opening, two students who have already been cutting their teeth as legal advisors at the Centre gave speeches explaining how the law clinics have already impacted on their careers. Vito Giambalvo is a second year LLB (Hons) student. He said: “The Law Clinic has enabled me to focus my attention on the skills which are necessary to become a successful advocate. Skills such as communication with members of the public and the legal profession, public speaking, practical legal research skills, legal analysis and application of the law. “All these skills are developed and applied at the Law Clinic, as we are having to communicate with members of the public with real legal issues that they want addressed, requiring us all to undertake legal analysis of their matter, followed by practical legal research and providing useful advice to our clients to the best of our abilities.” Lynn Leighton-Johnstone and Dean of School, Professor Judith Burnett. In addition, the Centre has received the backing of Black Country law firms, FBC Manby Bowdler LLP and Talbots, who will provide guidance to the students in relation to their practical legal research, legal analysis and advice. The students offering advice in the clinics are LLB (Hons) undergraduates in the second and third years of their courses, as well as Legal Practice Course (LPC) and postgraduate law students, and will be fully supervised by law academics.
Jyoti Chumber, who is also in her second year of the LLB (Hons) course, agrees. “It encourages us, as law students, to persevere in our future aspirations and keep focused on our aims, whether that means getting an excellent classification law degree, gaining a training contract, developing our CVs, providing motivation to become a solicitor or barrister or follow any other legal career, or simply giving us direction of what possibilities could open up for us.”
Both students have found working at the Law Centre has opened doors for them. Jyoti found networking with local solicitors and meeting groups and individuals has enabled her to secure a part-time job as a receptionist at Quality Solicitors Talbots, at their free legal surgery. Meanwhile Vito has marshalled at Birmingham Crown Court, met with a QC and secured a mini-pupillage at St Ives Chambers in Birmingham. But aside from the useful work experience the students are gaining, the Law Centre is also providing a valuable service for the community. Clients have provided positive feedback, particularly in relation to how it has given them the confidence to take the next steps to resolve their matter by going on to seek professional legal help. “The Law Centre provides a win-win outcome for us students and for our local communities, by giving them a welcoming place of help and direction for their matters and issues,” Jyoti says. Vito adds: “The most rewarding aspect for me has been that we are dealing with real individuals and are able to provide some help to them from our learning and knowledge of the law.” The Law Centre is open from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm. Clients are seen via appointments, which can be made by emailing: lawcentre@wlv.ac.uk or calling: 01902 322484.