How Early Practical Experience Shapes the Future of Aspiring Lawyers

OPINION: Law student Sarrah Bashar reflects on her experience working as a Paralegal whilst pursing a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology.

Author: Sarrah Bashar Editor: Abbie Simmons 

While law school provides the foundation for understanding the law, applying that knowledge in a real-world setting is a skill that requires time, investment, and commitment. Investing in those skills early is the most important investment you can make for your future in the legal sector.  

Towards the end of high school, I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in law because of the impact that the justice system has in society, and the rewarding nature of it. In 2020 I began a double degree, Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Criminology. After my first two years of law school, I decided I wanted to get ahead and I was ready to accept a new challenge. This led to me working in a personal injury law firm. In my three years at a firm, I advanced from receptionist to admin assistant, paralegal, and then law clerk, ultimately leading to my current position as a managing law clerk. Being able to experience each of these roles and learn the ins and outs of personal injury from scratch before becoming a solicitor has had an  enormous impact on my personal and professional growth as it has allowed me to understand the rationale behind each task that I complete.  

I assist in the day-to-day management of over 60 historical abuse cases, and I dabble in other areas of personal injury. This has provided me with invaluable experiences and opportunities, such as appearing in the Supreme Court of New South Wales (with leave, of course!). My role predominantly consists of conferencing new and existing clients, analysing records and reports which is essentially the foundation for any personal injury claim. I also correspond with defendant’s solicitors to pursue justice and favourable outcomes for our clients, who have had their lives profoundly impacted by the actions of others.  

The most rewarding aspect of all is finalising matters that I have been involved in and witnessing the relief and gratitude from our clients as they take another step towards healing.  

Working full time hours while managing my studies full time can be demanding. However, I am often reminded of the rewarding nature of my job which makes it worthwhile.   

I take my role very seriously when working with survivors of historical child sexual abuse, as I am often the first person they trust to confide in after managing their trauma alone for decades. Each survivor has a different healing journey which requires skill to adapt to, and that will only develop over time and with more learned experience.  

I have learnt from my experience as a law student gaining practical experience how invaluable it is to work directly under the mentorship and guidance of experienced professionals.   

I work closely with the director of my firm, who is an accredited specialist with decades of experience in the field. Whilst that is a rare opportunity – if the opportunity arises, it is worth holding on to. The wealth of knowledge and insight from having a mentor has not only enriched my general understanding of the law and the field but has provided me with practical guidance that is essential for my professional growth as a future lawyer. It fosters an environment where I learn good practices, refine my skills, and gain confidence in decision-making. Their insights into navigating complex cases and building client relationships have also played a key role in enhancing my career progression, opening doors to opportunities I might not have been able to access otherwise. It’s an incredible advantage that inspires me to work hard and get as much experience as possible before my admission. You can only be the best by learning from the best.   

If you have the availability and skills to manage your time, getting a head start with practical experience while studying can have a profound impact on your career and character development. It provides you with the practical skills to be a good lawyer while keeping your client’s best interests at the forefront. It can also offer insight into the culture of law firms and give you an advantage when it comes to finding employment post admission in such a competitive field.  

Finally, you might have noticed the word invaluable appearing a lot throughout my piece, but it is the one word that truly captures the essence of gaining experience as a paralegal or similar before becoming a lawyer – it is simply invaluable.