My Experience as a Law Clinic Student: Skills Gained and Lessons Learned

Posted on: 17 February 2025 by Jumana Abdel Hady in Blog

Being a part of the University of Liverpool Law Clinic has provided me with the opportunity to develop and expand many of my legal and career skills and has introduced me to new levels within my Law course that I could not have discovered on my own.

Taking part in the Liverpool Law Clinic’s projects, as both a student volunteer and a student interpreter, has taught me an even wider scope of skills. It has also helped me interact with my peers and meet some of my closest friends on my course to date. Out of many, some of the skills I have developed throughout the Clinic are listed below and were mentioned in the article Essential Skills for Law Students – The Law Society.

Clinic projects

Soft skills – Communication

Throughout the Family Project within the Law Clinic, many forms of communication take place between students and lawyers, or students and clients. Whether it is students taking concise notes during client meetings as a record or making triage calls to understand client concerns and pass them on to the lawyers – these communication skills are vital to the running of the projects, making the students highly proficient in a variety of forms of communication.

Business etiquette – Teamwork

Being a part of the Clinic Projects means being part of a team of both lawyers and students. A lot of what we do depends on teamwork. I learned how to recognise the needs of my peers during client appointments when taking notes, ensuring that everything is covered and nothing is missed. I have also learned to communicate clearly with the lawyer in charge when issues arise, mistakes are made, or even just when I have a query. Everyone in the clinic is a strong team player, and that encouraged me to become one too very quickly, granting me an essential skill that I can utilise in any professional setting.

Legal interpreters

Soft skills – Adaptability

As a student interpreter on the Immigration Project, no two appointments were the same. Whether it was adapting to different dialects or adjusting to the speed and volume of the conversation, I became much quicker at assessing the situation and adapting accordingly. This has been a valuable skill, not just for the clinic, but also for my course modules and everyday life. The clinic’s diverse opportunities helped me refine this skill regularly.

Business etiquette – Professionalism and client relations

Simple things such as punctuality and dressing appropriately are crucial to the smooth running of the Law Clinic. I’ve learned how important dressing smartly is when meeting with clients, especially as a university student, to ensure they feel comfortable trusting us and to maintain a professional setting. Additionally, arriving at each appointment at least half an hour early allowed all students on the team, whether interpreters or volunteers, to familiarise themselves with the case and prepare notes and laptops.

Final thoughts

Participating in the University Law Clinic has been a fantastic opportunity for a new international student like me. The practical and workplace skills I have developed over the last two years are essential for every Law student and their future careers. I am very grateful for the lawyers we had the chance to see in action and the friends we made – and I hope to be a part of the Clinic again next year!

Find out more

Visit the University of Liverpool Law Clinic website to learn how students can get involved in its projects.