Deakin Law School aims to prepare job-ready commercial law graduates. In order to achieve this, the school has a program, which differs from all other law courses. We have a commercial law and practical skills emphasis. The commercial law emphasis is reflected in the fact that we are the only school, which prescribes that all students must complete Taxation Law, Intellectual Property, Competition
Law and Policy and Workplace law as a compulsory aspect of their course. This ensures that all Deakin graduates have knowledge of complex commercial law areas, which align with large practice areas in leading law firms. Practical skills are developed through our Law Clinic unit, which involves students working full-time in a legal setting and being assessed on their performance. This also gives students the opportunity to impress prospective employers. In addition to this, the Deakin Law School has a unique capstone unit: 'Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion'. Part of this unit involves training in negotiation, collaboration and positive Influence. The course has a direct heritage from the Harvard Negotiation Project and the best-selling book Getting to YES: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In and Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most. After completing the program students will learn to understand their role as an influencer, plan their approach with others, and communicate their ideas positively and persuasively. Thought provoking presentations, case studies, practical exercises, illustrative games, and activities make this an action-packed, interactive experience. Everything covered is easy to implement and, above all, designed to help students to be more effective in achieving their goals. The Deakin Law School while focusing on commercial law, more broadly teaches students how to be effective and successful in their career and life endeavours. To that end, we emphasise the need to always be diligent and conscientious; and to do all things well.
