In completing the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) with the Law Society of South Australia (LSSA), I was required to undertake work experience in a legal office. As such, I completed six weeks of placement at Lindbloms Lawyers, and during this time, I gained an invaluable insight into what a career in practising law would entail.
Throughout my placement, I was exposed to a range of areas of law, some of which included family law, wills and inheritance, personal injury, and medical negligence. I found this to be a very enjoyable and interesting aspect of my placement, as the work I completed was so varied. This also assisted me in understanding the areas of law I had a passion to practise in.
There were numerous opportunities, during my placement, for me to meet clients, attend settlement conferences and mediations, and attend matters in the Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Federal Circuit Court and Youth Court. Some of the work that I was also required to undertake included conducting legal research, and drafting letters and court documents. I found that attending weekly night seminars for the GDLP, whilst completing my placement, worked hand-in-hand, as much of the GDLP course content was applicable to the work I was conducting.
Undertaking placement was both an exciting and challenging experience. It provided me with an opportunity to learn how to apply the knowledge I have acquired throughout my degree to real-life situations. In working closely with a number of solicitors and barristers, I learnt many new skills that simply cannot be taught in a classroom. In particular, this included how to communicate with clients, other practitioners and the court.
Completing placement has put me in touch with many inspiring and motivating practitioners. The opportunity to work alongside them has been both an extremely invaluable and positive experience. The knowledge and skills I have attained in six weeks has not only assisted me in preparing for a career in law, but has also begun to shape me into the legal practitioner I hope to become.
Read more about completing a GDLP here: https://law.adelaide.edu.au/postgraduate-law