Legal Professional Experience unit (LAW345)

Introduction

This unit builds on LAW344 Public Interest Law Clinic, by allowing students to put their knowledge and skills into practice as part of a major practical legal project, inquiry, or intensive placement in a legal organisation. Clinical Legal Practice and Education is now a central feature of law studies across Australian Universities. It allows students learn about the law in practice, directly contribute to and better vulnerable communities and reflect on their role as future lawyers. Clinical legal education provides this while developing students’ legal skills. Students will reflect critically on their role as a law student, avenues for development and improvement, and pathways into legal practice or other related professions. Students will also develop their leadership skills by assisting and mentoring law students in the pathway unit LAW344 Public Interest Law Clinic. Partner Organisations may include Legal Aid (Tas), the Environmental Defenders Office, Tenants Union, National Justice Project, Grata Fund. Students may also participate in internship and externship opportunities, through the state and nationally; these may include work integrated placements at Launceston Community Legal Centre, Prison Legal Service (Tas), Tasmanian Aboriginal Community Legal Service, Tasmania Law Reform Institute, the Women's Legal Service (Tas) and the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency or other community law agencies agreed to by your supervisors. Students are expected to complete at least 70-80 hours of clinical experience work over the course of the unit and 10-20 hours of leadership and mentoring of other law students.

Summary

Unit name	Legal Professional Experience
Unit code	LAW345
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law
Coordinator	Associate Professor Yvette Maker
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Evidence a developed understanding of and commitment to professionalism, ethical and professional conduct of lawyers and the practise of law
• Make a genuine and demonstrable contribution to the administration of justice in the community
• Evidence a practical understanding of the situational environment in which legal work is conducted to ensure your work is responsive and relevant to the conduct of a legal matter or inquiry.
• Effectively lead and mentor others in a professional environment.
• Work independently, collaboratively and under direction and in a professional and inclusive manner.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Selective enrolment

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	2 hour workshop in week 1 of the semester and weekly online check-in meetings. Clinical practice.
Assessment	Assessment Task 1: Log/Workbook (50%)|Assessment Task 2: Portfolio (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	There are no required readings for this unit.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.