LLSN Elections

LAURA BLANDTHORN & SAMANTHA WIMALA
Volume 10, Issue 9 
The Later Law Student Network (LLSN) began in 2012 as the brainchild of Natalie Burgess, who is now an associate with Justice Stephen Gageler of the High Court of Australia. We have been working really hard this year (even if we do say so ourselves). We have built an excellent working relationship with faculty and are looking for dedicated people who will maintain this into the future. ​

The LLSN offers an opportunity to build a personal relationship with faculty, the chance to create real change at MLS and a platform for grassroots advocacy. We also organise cracker networking evenings, careers nights and social lunches. Sure this will look great on your CV, but it will also be immensely fulfilling. Here’s a run-down of some of the work we have been doing. We hope it inspires you to apply as a representative or committee member for next year:

• We have spread the word, we have more than doubled our membership and increased event attendance. Cries of “I didn’t even know you existed” or “I thought I had to be really old to join” are a thing of the past. We are proud to be a group for mature age students. We also represent parents and carers, working professionals and those who have a had a bit of life experience. FYI many of us are older than we look, all that time spent in the library out of that harsh Aussie sun has kept us youthful!
• We have made a comprehensive proposal for the inclusion of family violence in the special consideration policy. This is now in the hands of faculty who are feeding it through the appropriate channels. There is no reason why this cannot be applied university wide, we are helping MLS lead the way.
• We have established a working relationship with Victoria Women Lawyers, and its Convenor will be a special guest at our Careers Night.
• We have made positive steps towards getting some seminars recorded, proposing that the Priestly 11 be recorded by at least one lecturer, accessible to all students for the purposes of catching up and revision. We believe this to be a good start. It considers the needs of the cohort, preferred teaching styles and the pedagogical approach of the JD. This proposal is in its early stages but was positively received by Judith Marychurch (Assistant Dean Teaching and Learning). It will take some time given the lack of lecture capture facilities at MLS.
• Knowing that seminar recording would take some time, we have asked that teachers provide a diverse range of resources to support student learning. We are currently looking for very specific feedback about the things students find useful. You can fill in our very quick survey here: https://llsn.typeform.com/to/b4RmwN.
• We have been in consultation with faculty regarding take home examination arrangements as well as the many flaws in the special consideration process.
• We are in the process of creating a proposal for a later law student scholarship.
• We have liaised with faculty in regards to the new ‘Enrichment Space’. We even put in our two cents about the colour scheme. We believe this is a positive for MLS and are especially pleased that there will be a discreet entrance for students in distress and a dedicated space for activities such as mindfulness yoga and MLS events. The Enrichment space is only open to law students.

Applications for committee members are now open: https://llsn.typeform.com/to/gXGV4O. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.  You can even pop by our (new) office in room 535.  We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Laura Blandthorn is the President of the LLSN and a second year JD student
Samantha Wimala is the Secretary of the LLSN and a third year JD student