Supervision in the Legal Profession

This book is about supervision in the legal profession with a focus on the experience of novice lawyers. It is the first of its kind. Until now there have been a range of books dedicated to professional supervision in many disciplines, but not law. Supervision is an important link between formal university-based legal education and independent practice and is relevant to a range of contemporary legal practice issues including changes driven by technology, workplace culture, regulating law firm management, and well-being. This book aims to be scholarly and practical. It provides an overview of how supervision is positioned in the legal regulatory framework; it describes how supervision is conceived in the legal profession and practice management literature; and draws lessons from clinical legal education and other professional disciplines. By reporting on survey data, this book also provides insights into practitioners’ attitudes and perceptions about supervision inlegal practice.

Michael J. McNamara is a lecturer in law at Flinders University and an adjunct research fellow at the Griffith University Law Futures Centre (both in Australia). Prior to becoming a full-time academic, Michael worked as a solicitor in a range of legal practice settings including: a top-tier national firm; a small commercial firm; and as a sole practitioner. Michael has also supervised law students in a live-client clinic based in a community legal centre.

"Supervised practice immediately post-admission is a crucial part of a young lawyer's education, but has been long overlooked by teachers and regulators. Anecdotally, we know that the quality and efficacy of the experience is inconsistent. Michael's research provides the first concrete evidence of the "Russian roulette" nature of this experience, and of the expectations of new graduates and supervisors. It provides the essential starting point for regulators to develop a principled approach to overseeing supervised practice, to ensure new lawyers are fully equipped to manage their professional responsibilities." -- Judge Katrina Bochner , Master of the Supreme Court of South Australia, Chair, Board of Examiners This book is about supervision in the legal profession with a focus on the experience of novice lawyers. It is the first of its kind. Until now there have been a range of books dedicated to professional supervision in many disciplines, but not law. Supervision is an important link between formal university-based legal education and independent practice and is relevant to a range of contemporary legal practice issues including changes driven by technology, workplace culture, regulating law firm management, and well-being. This book aims to be scholarly and practical. It provides an overview of how supervision is positioned in the legal regulatory framework; it describes how supervision is conceived in the legal profession and practice management literature; and draws lessons from clinical legal education and other professional disciplines. By reporting on survey data, this book also provides insights into practitioners' attitudes and perceptions about supervision in legal practice. Michael J. McNamara is a lecturer in law at Flinders University and an adjunct research fellow at the Griffith University Law Futures Centre (both in Australia). Prior to becoming a full-time academic, Michael worked as a solicitor in a range of legal practice settings including: a top-tier national firm; a small commercial firm; and as a sole practitioner. Michael has also supervised law students in a live-client clinic based in a community legal centre.

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