What Kind of Lawyer Do I Want to Be?

During their last reflective group session, the externs discussed about what kind of lawyer they wanted to be and what kind of lawyer they did not want to be. Their time during the legal aid externship had shown them many fantastic examples of lawyers and the impact a lawyer can have but also many flaws in the justice system.

Below are some pictures visually displaying the externs' thoughts. The externs will all be given copies of these photos to remind them as they continue their legal career path about what kind of lawyer they would like to become.

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Not Want To Be?

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Want To Be?

Externship Graduation Dinner

To celebrate the end of the externship programme, a graduation dinner was held at Oasis Restaurant for the externs and their friends and family as well as the supervisors from their host organisations.

Lawyer Michael Kanu (who currently works at the Anti-Corruption Commission) gave a key note speech inspiring the externs in their future legal career and to be the kind of lawyers that made a difference. Lawyer Haffie Hafner (who used to work for the Pilot National Legal Aid scheme) especially encouraged the female students.

All students were awarded with certificates and the names of three students were announced who would be awarded the summer externship placements in the provinces. These were: Alimammy Koroma (1st prize), Esther Kabia and Anrite Thomas (joint 2nd prize). These students performed the best during the externship and have secured a stipend and placement with a legal organisation in the provinces. The assessment was based on their performance at their host placement, their contribution as the group sessions, their journal and blog posts and their professionalism.

We hope the special evening is one the externs will remember and was some time for them to enjoy themselves after their hard work during the externship.

Extern Plays a Key Role in new Legal TV Drama Series

Alimamy Koroma, an extern based with AdvocAid, has played a key role in developing innovative ways to educate the public about their legal rights.

AdvocAid are pioneering using television to not only entertain but also educate the public. They have started Police Case, a legal drama series which follows the story of Adama, a woman who is arrested after a fight with her husband. The series follows her journey through the criminal justice system and educates the public about their rights upon arrest, bail, rights at court and also highlights topics such as domestic violence and corruption.

Alimamy played a key role in providing technical legal input during the script reviews alongside AdvocAid's Legal Officer, Simitie Lavaly. He has also helped with outreach efforts and participated in a radio programme on Radio Mount Aureol to encourage fellow students to tune in and learn more about their rights.

All 6 extern students participated during the launch of Police Case at the British Council on 23 July 2012, when the series was launched by the Inspector General of Police, and also were part of the stakeholder discussion which followed with representatives from the judiciary, media, police and other civil society groups.

Alimamy commented "I enjoyed every minute of Police Case. I think it was entertaining, educative and real; real in the sense that it reflected the reality of the justice machinery in our country. I will recommend it to everyone!"

Alimamy has continued to play an important role in the project. He has interviewed clients who have contacted AdvocAid for legal assistance after hearing about the programme and also completed an initial draft of answers to common questions about rights in the criminal justice system following the 40 calls and 96 text messages received after episode 2 of Police Case aired. The responses will be posted on Police Case's facebook page.

Fourah Bay Student Riots

We are sad to note that Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, was closed due to student protests. Student exams have been postponed until further notice.

This has severely impacted the students who are part of the Legal Aid Externship Clinic. The students have all expressed how grateful they are to be part of the Clinic, where they are able to get training, mentorship and practical experience, especially given some of the challenges at Fourah Bay.

Posted by Sabrina Mahtani (Executive Director, AdvocAid)