Evaluation of the ALOS Experience
Final Journal Entry
Summary
My placement at the Adelaide Legal Outreach Service (ALOS) has been an invaluable and eye opening experience. I was thrown into the deep end from the very start and faced many tribulations throughout the duration of working in a free legal service. No day or legal issue at ALOS was the same, each client and their case was a challenge in itself. However, this meant that I had to learn so many new things and develop a multitude of new skills to ensure I achieved my best.
Myself in a professional legal role
ALOS has taught me so much more about my capabilities as a person and a future career. I decided to enrol in this course as I was unsure whether I had the skills to make a successful …show more content…
I have developed coping mechanisms, such as debriefing and empathising, to ensure that I can give my best to any client. It is clear that although morals do play a role in law, at the time that you have a client it is important to become amoral. I have learnt that although you may hold personal values, it is important as a lawyer to differentiate your behaviour to suit your client. This ensures that you achieve the best for your …show more content…
The law in its entirety
ALOS has taught me that the law is fundamental to the way we live our lives, each person at some point will be faced with a legal issue. I have learnt as Parker provides, that lawyers play an important social role in giving a voice to those that do not understand the law. It is clear to me, however, that although there are many lawyers out there, the law itself is rigid and favours those that can afford it. Therefore, there is a distinct barrier in achieving justice for many people in the community. Through ALOS, I have been able to see the plight of those who really need legal help.
However, despite the provision of free legal advice clinics, there is a major problem in this legal system and something needs to be done.
Therefore, as a future lawyer, I believe there needs to be a change and that a number of improvements need to occur to improve self-represented litigant’s access to the law. This could include the provision of unbundled legal services, which gives individuals an opportunity to access legal representation at vital parts in their case. Also, this could be the provision of a rule for lawyers to have a responsibility to fully inform the opposing party if they are an SRL as is applicable in the United States. Nevertheless, something needs to be done and I have gained a greater appreciation for those willing to help SRLS. I also have been inspired to ensure that as a future lawyer I make a difference in anyway I can to ensure that the
Final Journal Entry
Summary
My placement at the Adelaide Legal Outreach Service (ALOS) has been an invaluable and eye opening experience. I was thrown into the deep end from the very start and faced many tribulations throughout the duration of working in a free legal service. No day or legal issue at ALOS was the same, each client and their case was a challenge in itself. However, this meant that I had to learn so many new things and develop a multitude of new skills to ensure I achieved my best.
Myself in a professional legal role
ALOS has taught me so much more about my capabilities as a person and a future career. I decided to enrol in this course as I was unsure whether I had the skills to make a successful …show more content…
I have developed coping mechanisms, such as debriefing and empathising, to ensure that I can give my best to any client. It is clear that although morals do play a role in law, at the time that you have a client it is important to become amoral. I have learnt that although you may hold personal values, it is important as a lawyer to differentiate your behaviour to suit your client. This ensures that you achieve the best for your …show more content…
The law in its entirety
ALOS has taught me that the law is fundamental to the way we live our lives, each person at some point will be faced with a legal issue. I have learnt as Parker provides, that lawyers play an important social role in giving a voice to those that do not understand the law. It is clear to me, however, that although there are many lawyers out there, the law itself is rigid and favours those that can afford it. Therefore, there is a distinct barrier in achieving justice for many people in the community. Through ALOS, I have been able to see the plight of those who really need legal help.
However, despite the provision of free legal advice clinics, there is a major problem in this legal system and something needs to be done.
Therefore, as a future lawyer, I believe there needs to be a change and that a number of improvements need to occur to improve self-represented litigant’s access to the law. This could include the provision of unbundled legal services, which gives individuals an opportunity to access legal representation at vital parts in their case. Also, this could be the provision of a rule for lawyers to have a responsibility to fully inform the opposing party if they are an SRL as is applicable in the United States. Nevertheless, something needs to be done and I have gained a greater appreciation for those willing to help SRLS. I also have been inspired to ensure that as a future lawyer I make a difference in anyway I can to ensure that the