High school program for future lawyers goes online during COVID-19

Students from more than 60 schools across the state are taking part in a new online program for future lawyers developed by the Law Society of NSW in the face of COVID-19 restrictions.

A total of 650 students are participating in The Future Lawyers Program, which has been developed as an alternative to the traditional Mock Law programs. 

President of the Law Society of NSW, Richard Harvey, said The Future Lawyers Program provides the year10 and 11 students with an opportunity to learn from experienced and knowledgeable solicitors within the comfort of their own home.

“When it became clear that Law Society’s face-to-face Mock Law Programs would be impacted by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions we moved quickly to create a new online format for high school students,” Mr Harvey said.

“During these uncertain times it is important to ensure we adapt to our current environment and create new opportunities for students considering a career in the law.”

The Future Lawyers Program is running over six weeks with different topics and lecturers and concludes in June 2020.

Topics covered include An Introduction to Australian Legal Systems, Advocacy, Law Reform, Policy and Ethics, as well as Mock trial topics to keep teams on their toes.

“At the end of each week a quiz will be sent to participants and the results tallied,” Mr Harvey said.

“After the six-week program concludes we will be announcing the student with the highest overall quiz score. 

“All students that complete the program will receive a participation certificate and the student with the highest overall quiz score will receive a further ‘Top Student’ certificate.”

Mr Harvey said The Future Lawyers program is being provided free of charge for all schools and students.

“My thanks to those solicitors who have volunteered their time to assist in delivering this program and are generously imparting their knowledge and experience to the next generation of lawyers,” he said.

Full list of schools taking part in the program is attached. Media quality image of Mr Harvey available here.

CONTACT: 
Sue Finn | Media and Public Relations Manager 
The Law Society of New South Wales 
T: +61 2 9926 0288 | M: +61 413 440 699 | E: media@lawsociety.com.au

FUTURE LAWYERS PROGRAM PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

All Saints Catholic College, Casula

All Saints College, Maitland

Barker College

Baulkham Hills High School

Bega High School

Blue Mountains Grammar School

Brigidine College, St Ives

Caringbah High School

Charlton Christian College

Cumberland High School

Danebank Anglican School for Girls

Emmaus Catholic College

Epping Boys High School

Good Samaritan Catholic College, Hinchinbrook

Granville Boys High School

International Grammar School

James Ruse Agricultural High School

Kirrawee High School

Knox Grammar

Kooringal High School

Lakes Grammar An Anglican School

Lakes Grammar An Anglican School

Lambton High School

Loreto Kirribilli

Lucas Heights Community School

MacKillop College Port Macquarie 

Maronite College of the Holy Family

Marsden High School

Masada College

Meriden School

Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College

Montgrove College

Mount Annan Christian College

Normanhurst Boys High School

North Sydney Girls High School

Oakhill College

Orara High School

Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta

Oxley College

Pittwater High School

Presbyterian Ladies College

Pymble Ladies' College

Queenwood School for Girls

Regents Park Christian School

Riverside Girls High School

Santa Sabina College

SHORE

St Andrews Cathedral School

St Catherine's School, Waverley

St Clare's College, Waverley

St Edwards College

St Joseph's College, Lochinvar

St Mark's Coptic Orthodox College

St Ursula’s Kingsgrove 

Sydney Boys High School

The Illawarra Grammar School

The Ponds High School

The Scots College Sydney

Trinity Catholic College Lismore

Turramurra High School

Warners Bay High School