Ways to partner with us

We welcome the opportunity to engage with industry, government and the profession. We aim to link the teaching and research expertise of our staff with the needs of the Australian community and to develop partnerships in:

• developing customised education
• conducting research
• assisting the community in finding solutions to pressing problems.

Global learning partnerships

We collaborate with:

• national and international universities
• institutions
• organisations.

The results of these collaborations include:

• articulation and cooperation agreements
• university funded institutions
• unique courses offered with our global partners.

If you are interested in developing a learning partnership, please contact the faculty manager, Nicole Barclay.

Research partnerships

Your organisation can be part of:

• a current research project
• a research project developed to link to your organisation's needs.

Your organisation can identify the area of research interest, and we can provide you with:

• details of researchers working in that area
• introductions to researchers
• proposed research projects.

Our researchers cover fields of research expertise that embrace some of the more complex questions faced by Australian and global communities. The broad dissemination of our research and its relevance ensures that it has a high national and international impact.

On a local level, we collaborate with QUT's four major multidisciplinary research institutes:

• Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation
• Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
• Institute for Renewable Systems and Resources
• Information Security Institute

For more information please contact Law and Justice Research Centre Manager Maxine Brown.

Work integrated learning partnerships

Work integrated learning (WIL) is a partnership between students, employers and the university that combines:

• work place activities
• academic learning
• assessment.

WIL subjects are designed to assist students in their transition to professional practice by allowing them to directly apply legal knowledge and skills in a workplace environment.

If you are an employer, you benefit from the opportunity by:

• screening potential graduate employees
• increasing market awareness of your firm's culture
• engaging with the higher education sector
• contributing to the development of young legal professionals
• taking advantage of students' current and relevant knowledge in your discipline.

Learning in Professional Practice (LWB421)

Students may approach you to undertake this unit in your legal practice or you may be interested in recruiting a student.

As an employer, you'll create a placement plan with the student to set out and agree on the details of the placement and planned activities.

We require students to complete at least 60 hours in your office during the placement. During this time they will complete assessment items, including a student portfolio.

The supervising lawyer must:

• work in a legal office such as a firm of solicitors or a legal division of a corporation
• hold a current practising certificate
• not be a member of the student’s family

During the student's placement the supervising lawyer must:

• provide the student with orientation to the office during the first week
  
• assist in the development of the student's legal and professional skills by assigning and supervising legal projects to the student
• provide the student with a variety of tasks that draw on the student’s legal skills
• meet with the student as required
• notify the unit coordinator of any serious problems as they arise
• give to the student regular feedback
• act in a professional way towards the student

At the end of the placement, the supervising lawyer must:

• evaluate the student’s performance and work product in writing
• provide a final report to us within one week of completion of the student’s placement.

Your firm should not include in your agreement with the student any clause requiring the student to continue to work for you (whether paid or unpaid) after the placement.

Students must identify appropriate learning objectives and engage in work that enables them to meet those objectives, such as:

• participating in client interviews
• writing memoranda to partners and letters to clients and other practitioners
• conducting research
• interacting with other practitioners and stakeholders
• attending in court
• preparing briefs
• drafting and lodging documents
• attending settlements.

If you don't pay the student, we cover the student (subject to certain limitations) through our Personal Accident, Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Medical Malpractice Insurances.

If you do pay a student, you'll need to cover the student under your firm's insurance policy.

QUT insurance coverage for student work placements

Virtual Law Placement (within LWB456 - Legal Clinic)

This virtual workplace placement unit provides mutually beneficial opportunities for employers and students, particularly in cases where a physical placement is not possible or practical.

Students work in a team and apply legal knowledge and skills to complete a real world workplace project, using online communication technologies to engage with participants in your workplace.

Virtual employers cover a wide variety of employment opportunities open to today's law graduates, including:

• law firms
• government departments
• industry and community organisations.

A mixture of communication mediums are used, including:

• Skype
• discussion forum
• online chat
• email
• face-to-face communication, where possible and relevant.

Students generally work in teams for the duration of a teaching semester (maximum 13 weeks) on tasks set by their workplace mentors. Students will be advised that this is a non-paid program, though some employers choose to offer a stipend.

Contact the Faculty of Law office if you have a query about WIL subjects.