Meredith Nelson

Meredith Nelson

JD Candidate, 2017

Take this clinic. Whether you plan to go to law school, pursue some sort of legal career, or take an entirely different path, this clinic offers so much. The experience is great for practical legal skills as well as interpersonal skills. You will also learn a lot about access to justice issues, the role of pro bono in the legal profession, and much more. The values I gained in the clinic played a major role in deciding where to apply to and where to attend law school. It was a major stepping stone in the start of my legal career.

Working in a group to write cohesive work products, meet strict deadlines, and communicate with various parties is challenging. However, these are all good challenges. You will learn so much and will use these skills going forward, no matter which direction you take. For example, I spoke or emailed with lawyers frequently at the clinic, which improved my confidence in professional communications. I was able to develop these skills in an environment where mistakes were expected at the beginning. As a result, when I started as a caseworker at a clinic at Queen’s Law, I was already confident in communicating with lawyers, sending work for editing, and incorporating feedback.

You can also expect to learn a lot from your peers in the clinic. Part of the course component includes discussing issues and solutions with the class. The group dynamic is friendly, supportive, and encouraging. This is a great opportunity to learn from the work of others. You might not encounter the same challenges during your time in the clinic, but you will likely face them sometime later. Equip yourself with these skills now.

As an extra bonus, this clinic looks fantastic on a resume. At many of my interviews for summer employment with law firms and government legal departments, I was more frequently asked about this unique clinic than the clinic I am in at law school. This goes to show that it really is impressive to work in a clinic at the undergraduate level. Take advantage of this opportunity!