WA PLT Graduate
Ben Williams
As a paralegal at a Perth CDB law firm, it was important for me to be able to find a PLT that would allow me to maintain my work performance whilst completing the PLT in the shortest possible time. I selected the WA Leo Cussen PLT 20 week course because it met those criteria and it did not disappoint. The PLT workload was a really good mix for me, it was manageable with my 4 days per week part-time workload, and the face to face intensives being spread out at the beginning, middle and end of the course allowed me to take bite-sized time off from my work without an avalanche waiting for me when I returned. The pacing of the three intensives also allowed me to meet up with the other PLT trainees.
In terms of skills development, the most beneficial aspect was the advocacy training, it provided me with an opportunity to develop in an area where as a junior there is not much opportunity in the workplace. The Leo Cussen advocacy was definitely a highlight of the PLT as it also assisted me to develop confidence. I felt at times that I was underprepared for the hearings and pleas where I appeared to represent my clients, but the assessors gave me positive feedback which has assisted me in understanding the requirements of good advocacy.
Possibly the best aspect of the Leo Cussen’s PLT course is the (apparently tireless) mentors that are assigned to the students. My mentor gave me exceptional feedback on my work and was always available and approachable whenever I needed help with a topic or an assignment.
In my PLT course, the solicitor for the other side was a highly experienced senior practitioner and Leo Cussen staff member, acting in the role of partner in a fictitious law firm. I was really impressed by the responsiveness of the feedback I received from the “partner” in this context, and very much enjoyed the negotiations that we engaged in as part of my conduct of a range of matters. I was proud to have achieved a really great commercial outcome for one of my “clients” in a retailer/supplier contract dispute. I definitely encourage other law firms and law graduates working in a paralegal/law graduate capacity to give the WA Leo Cussen a go.
In fact, all of the Leo Cussen PLT staff were amazing – even without the many other reasons to recommend Leo Cussen’s PLT course, I would highly recommend the course solely for the high calibre of Leo Cussen’s staff!
More WA Graduate Testimonials
Nicole Farrar
Murdoch University
The Leo Cussen course provides one-on-one mentoring and I was given the best Mentor a student could ask for. I received personalised and constructive feedback from my Mentor for each piece of work I submitted for assessment. I could track how my skills were developing and improving and I felt my competence grow.
Jackson Thurtle
Edith Cowan University
What stood out for me is the excellent advocacy training. The guest instructors and assessors, who are all senior advocates, gave me personal feedback on my performances in a number of different scenarios - this was invaluable in assisting me to develop my practical advocacy skills.
Alex Mould
University of Western Australia
The practical hands-on aspect of the course, by running several different files, gave me an understanding of what it is like to be a lawyer. The day to day file work – from taking instructions, preparing a retainer and costs agreement, setting up trust and office ledgers, billing clients - was a really solid learning experience.
Ben Williams
Murdoch University
As a paralegal at a Perth CDB law firm, it was important for me to be able to find a PLT that would allow me to maintain my work performance whilst completing the PLT in the shortest possible time. I selected the WA Leo Cussen PLT 20 week course because it met those criteria and it did not disappoint. The PLT workload was a really good mix for me, it was manageable with my 4 days per week part-time workload.
Kerry Anne Eral
Murdoch University
The Leo team was very supportive, much more so than I expected. Whenever I had a question or needed feedback, my allocated mentor or the other pool of Leo mentors/staff supporting the WA PLT was always there to lend a hand. They were very friendly and knowledgeable, and importantly to me promptly responded with their support...
