Jobs link boost for eager legal eaglets
BOND University is partnering with a Brisbane firm to help find freelance legal work for law students.
Lawlancer, an online platform, is an initiative of law firm Helix Legal.
The platform links students with law firms seeking clerks for research projects, marketing and other jobs such as case-summary preparation.
Former Bond University law student and Helix Legal co-founder Sarah Roach developed the idea with colleagues Janelle Kerrisk and Dayna Gilbert.
She approached the university to launch a pilot program in the second semester starting in May.
Ms Kerrisk said students find it difficult to obtain experience, particularly paid work.
She said Lawlancer is a way to gain valuable knowledge so that, when students apply for a fulltime position, they have the necessary tools and experience.
“When we started our business last year we used freelancers for various tasks and we had a discussion about how great it would be if there were an easier way to access them,” she said.
Ms Kerrisk said Lawlancer offers students flexibility. They do not have to attend a workplace and can perform tasks outside normal office hours and class times.
She said several law firms have agreed to participate in the trial, which will generate a database of students ready to use the platform.
Ms Roach said Bond has a track record of being open to innovative ideas.
“This is a great opportunity for students to be part of something that is the future of legal work,” she said.
She said thousands of graduates are in competition for legal positions.
“It has been a tough market for a long time,” she said.
Helix Legal plans to charge law firms a subscription fee for Lawlancer. Students will not be paid by the hour, but on the outcomes clients specify in their briefs.
Ms Roach said students will be required to undertake training before joining Lawlancer.
Bond University career development director Kirsty Mitchell said Lawlancer is a gamechanger for law students and legal firms.
“Students crave experience and preferably paid experience,” she said.
“Most students do require some form of part-time employment to take them through university.”
Mrs Mitchell said the idea is similar to 99designs, an online graphic-design marketplace that connects freelance designers with clients.
She said law is a challenging field in which to find employment and Lawlancer will offer students a competitive advantage when entering the workforce after graduation.