So, you decided to study law – congratulations, as it’s a great sector to be part of! Before you know it, you’ll be thinking about your graduation and kick-starting your career. But, transitioning from law student to practising lawyer requires you to complete Practical Legal Training (PLT), which is where Leo Cussen comes in. Confused? Don’t worry, here’s a quick summary of how it works.
What is PLT and why do I need to do it?
PLT is a compulsory step before seeking admission as a legal practitioner.
It’s generally started after you’ve completed your law degree, or in some cases, beforehand, when you only have two elective subjects left to do in your studies.
PLT connects what you learn in law school with real-world legal work so you’re better prepared for a career as a lawyer.
Why choose Leo Cussen.
The Why
At Leo Cussen, our aim is to help pave the way between finishing your law degree and starting your first job in law. As Australia’s most experienced PLT provider, our program is designed to make the transition as seamless as possible, preparing you to become a skilled and confident lawyer.
The What
From day one, you’ll be working in a simulated law practice as a graduate. You’ll have your own case files, a supervising partner and event difficult clients. It’s as close as it gets to the real thing.
The How
Through five rotations, you’ll gain a diverse set of skills, preparing you to become a well-rounded lawyer – the Whole Lawyer.
You’ll transition into the simulated legal environment, represent a client in a commercial transaction, deepen your understanding of specialist practice areas you choose, represent your client in a dispute – all while you will practice your lawyer skills and, more importantly, demonstrate your lawyer skills… and at the end, you’ll be ready for admission.
Support From Mentors
To help you take the step from law school into your legal career, Leo Cussen partners you with supportive lawyer mentors. This mentor relationship is incredibly important as they are practising lawyers who understand what is required in the profession, so they are a wealth of knowledge to help your transition. This enables you to have a supportive space for you to hone your practical legal skills, so you to enter the industry feeling confident.
Placement and Careers
Along with mentor support, Leo Cussen provides support from our dedicated Careers Advisors. This is especially important at the end of your PLT program as you must complete a professional placement. This is an opportunity to put the skills you’ve learnt throughout your PLT into action and get an even greater taste for the career that lies ahead of you.
So, the future is bright, stay motivated because a career in law is not that far away and you can relish in the fact that when you are ready, the team at Leo Cussen will be there.
