THE MALET STREET GAZETTE
EST. 1998
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EST. 1998 |
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1858-2008 University of London External Programme 150th Birthday Events
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LLB Graduate Deborah M. Jamieson
LLB Graduate Deborah Jamieson Talks to The Malet Street Gazette offering readers a glimpse of what it takes to complete The University of London External LLB Degree program successfully. This report was recorded during her Graduation Week in London on February 4th, 1999.
1998 University of London Graduation Ceremony London, England
George Pappas & Deborah Jamieson at the Barbican Center.
By Deborah M. Jamieson, LL.B (Hon) - USA February 1998 LLB Graduate 1998 Hi, I'm Deborah Jamieson and today I'm graduating from the University of London's External LLB Law Degree program. As they say "success is a journey, not a destination," and for me the degree has been exactly that. A wonderful journey that has opened many doors of opportunity that I didn't know existed when I first started this program several years ago. Being from the USA, it has been wonderful traveling back and forth between home, London and Cambridge in order to study for this degree. The reason I chose the University of London external degree is I work full time as Surgical Practice Manager, I have two small children that I have been raising on my own, and I'm involved in many other projects on the side. So, the external degree allowed me to juggle a whole myriad of responsibilities while committing to a program that is equally excellent to US schools. A value-added benefit has been all the great friends I have made along the way. Some additional benefits are that I have been able to join the Middle Temple, one of the Inns of Court in London, the International Bar Association, and have completed the MPRE pre-bar examination for the United States. I plan to sit for the New York State Bar in about two weeks. So many things have come my way that I would not have dreamed possible. In addition to its' excellent program, the University of London puts together quality syllabuses. They are the equivalent to US Law Schools'. When I began researching which degree to do, I discovered the University of London's degree was highly rated. It was given four stars in comparison to US degrees. I have attended the springtime Cambridge University LLB Revision Courses, which I highly recommend. These revision courses have inspired me to sit back in these gorgeous study halls, and listen to some amazing lecturers. Another thing I've greatly enjoyed is developing friendships with students from Brussels, France, Germany, England, and Ireland. We write back and forth, we try to be supportive of each other. They send me law tapes, I send them lecture notes, we send each other relevant newspaper articles or copies of cases - it's just been great. This type of networking has been invaluable. Some tips that I offer are to make sure that if you want this degree, be willing to devote the necessary time and energy and be very disciplined in your approach to study. What worked well for me was getting up at 5:00 a.m. every day to study and exercise. Taking as many opportunities as I could, as I was traveling by car I'd listen to law tapes. Go out and visit courtrooms, listen to trial experiences -- find all the opportunities you can to enter the profession. Build bridges -- connect with other students to build a support network and forum to exchange information and use The Malet Street Gazette as a place to meet each other and share your experiences. ) Contact the Bar Council if you're interested in becoming a barrister. Also you can contact several boards if you're interested in becoming a solicitor overseas. If you're interested in the US for sitting the bar, I recommend you write the bar in the state in which you wish to practice, months before you intend to sit for the bar. Get as much information as possible. Use all available resources such as The New Law Journal, which has sections in it's back dedicated to law students. There you can locate law chambers offering pupilages and mini-pupilages in an effort to enhance a law student's exposure to the practice. Use the tapes provided by the University. Use the Internet - it's an invaluable tool. You can access law libraries around the world, find relevant case law and keep in contact with graduates who can guide you on essay techniques, etc. You'd be surprised at what you can find at a used bookstore. I found some great books on Public International Law, Criminal Law, Criminology, and a wonderful law dictionary that I picked up for a nominal amount at used bookstores near me. And last, but not least, it is imperative to let your family and friends know how important this degree is to you - to get that momentum, to get the energy built up that you will need for support. One thing I will be able to use my law degree for is that its going to help me greatly in one of my pet projects which is ending domestic violence. I have been a speaker and consultant for the North Carolina Medical Society since 1994 and I have been speaking around the state at medical schools, medical societies, law enforcement agencies, and law related programs. This has been fantastic. As I said before, one of the reasons I decided to obtain my law degree was to work in this field as well as in the medical/legal arena, devoting some "pro bono" work to local women's shelters. I have also been fortunate to find law chambers in London who have afforded me the opportunity to visit, spent time at the No. 1 Crown Office Row, and was able to sit in on a deposition. I have sat in on a Family Law court case in Mansfield, England, on Criminal Law cases in Cambridge's Lions Yard Courtroom and I plan to return to London July fith to start a mini-pupilage at 1 Kings Bench Walk with Anthony Kirk. By contacting various law chambers and showing interest, I've been given incredible opportunities to see the law at work first hand. In conclusion, the University of London external degree program has offered me wonderful opportunities that I never dreamed possible, opening up world's I never knew existed. It's been a fascinating journey with many, many challenges. But if you commit to the program, remain disciplined and build a support network to keep the momentum going you will succeed and do very well. I would recommend that you contact the Bar Council or the Bar in the country in which you wish to practice. Follow their guidelines. Don't ever let anybody tell you no. Search out alternatives, and know what it is that you're supposed to do in order to practice at their bar. Don't get discouraged. One of things I've done is keep a Journal, so I can look back and see how much progress I've made when things seemed so momentous and overwhelming. I highly recommend the University of London external degree program - it's very exciting to see the changes that have occurred in my life from completing this degree. Good luck fellow voyagers. |
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