Law Students Get Helping Hand from Auckland District Law Society

Auckland, 09 July 2015 – Auckland District Law Society Inc (ADLSI), the country’s largest voluntary legal membership organisation announces the launch of a work experience pilot programme for the University of Auckland’ s senior law students.

The programme is a partnership between ADLSI and Auckland University Law Students Society, says ADLSI President Brian Keene, QC.

“We think it’s important to give students getting towards the end of their law degree the chance to gain practical experience in the sector, while they study. It gives them an idea of what working life after university might be like and also the chance to sample different specialist areas, which will help with job choices after graduation.

“ADLSI is pleased to be supporting the future of the profession,” says Mr Keene.

The programme promotes paid and volunteer work experience opportunities with Auckland based law firms and is available to 4th and 5th year law students. Students wishing to browse opportunities or firms wishing to post an opportunity on the online noticeboard should visit www.adls.org.nz for more details.

If successful, the programme will be offered to law students throughout New Zealand.

Ben Kirkpatrick, Auckland University Law Students Society (AULSS) President says that working with ADLSI made sense.

“ADLSI is connected with barristers and smaller firms in a way that AULSS is not, so the partnership is a natural fit. I’m sure that it will enable many more students to gain real-life legal experience.

“The chance to gain work experience while still studying is a fantastic opportunity, and will be really helpful in allowing students to broaden their horizons. We’ve been very pleasantly surprised by the number of paid positions being advertised.

“The scheme has a lot of potential and AULSS will be doing all it can to encourage participation and make sure it continues past the end of the year and extends to other regions,” says Mr Kirkpatrick.

Dr Andrew Stockley, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland welcomed the pilot programme.

“It is encouraging to see ADLSI and AULSS working together and building on the strong relationship ADLSI has with the Faculty of Law. Creating opportunities for more law students to gain experience while studying benefits not only the students, but also the firms involved. It is pleasing to see the programme has captured the imagination of students and firms alike,” says Dr Stockley.

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