In the interest of complete clarity, I get this question far less frequently than the title of this post might suggest. However on the few occasions I have been quizzed on my decision, the question is undeniably loaded. The implication is that the law is tedious, prohibitive and stale; something that a 25 year old, left leaning arts lover who teaches pole dancing for a living probably shouldn't concern herself with.
Perhaps to some, the law epitomises greed and throws up images of old white men in over priced suits drinking clear liquor in penthouse offices. Indeed, what little I've encountered of the world of higher end law firms seems to justify those associations. I'm no stranger to the archetypical law student either. However those associations, in my mind, do not form a whole picture of just how liberating and powerful a sound knowledge of the law can be. if you're an Australian, the law underpins every single day in your life. It governs the way in which you trade, and the hours you work. It decides whether or not you can plant a tree in your front yard. It dictates how and when you can receive medical treatment, even what consensual activities you can do behind closed bedroom doors. If you're doing it as part of your every day life, you can almost guarantee that somewhere there is an article of law that addresses it.
A lot of people have a great misunderstanding of the law. "Thats assault!" "I'm going to sue you!" "thats slander!" . However fewer people can afford access to legal counsel when it comes to getting clarity on what exactly is and is not unlawful. A rudimental understanding of the law will only take one so far before they can no longer access or understand the justice they may be seeking. The law is more difficult to navigate than the backstreets of Newtown in a hummer; and people with learned backgrounds in the study of it (formally known as lawyers) are most certainly a necessary entity.
Earlier this year I slipped down a steep flight of stairs at a venue due to a broken safety guard. If not for the broken guard at the very top step, I wouldn't have fallen directly onto my tailbone. Luckily my injuries were not permanent, but it took a few days and some emergency medical treatment for that to become apparent. With one measly semester of arts law under my belt, I knew that I might have had a case for negligence if my damages turned out to be extensive. I also knew that in order to pursue a case I'd be looking at years of litigation and legal fees. All I really wanted was an apology and proof that the fault in the step had been fixed. That was something that didn't seem worth thousands of dollars and hours of my time, but also something I knew had a slim chance of happening without the force of the law.
In those few days between getting the all clear from my doctor and deciding what to do next, I felt entirely powerless and at the mercy of a system that I couldn't knowingly navigate. I can't say that was the point where a bulb went on and I decided I'll go to law school (my application had been lodged months prior to my fall) ; but it is a classic example of how a sound knowledge of the law instills confidence in ones rights and position. Knowledge is power. My experiences in life thus far have lead me to the belief that there is nothing worse than being powerless.
As a young, white, middle class female I almost feel hypocritical waxing lyrical about the handful of occasions where I have felt powerless, but perhaps that only serves to highlight the relevance of the point I am trying to make. The law exists to administer justice, and perhaps it is a very idealistic and 'first year' way of thinking, but arming myself with the ability to effect justice to those who need empowerment most appeals to me on a moral and practical level.
Its unlikely I'll ever become a defence lawyer. I am no Alicia Florock or Ally McBreal. My moral compass and my very nature will surely drag me in other directions. The inevitable "how could you defend guilty people!?" is irrelevant. Defence law is a small fraction of the spectrum of law practice, yet the only area that people who like to ask "Why would you want To study law!?" seem to be able to draw to mind.
Secondary to my belief that a formal knowledge of the law is empowering, is my quest to learn and constantly be challenged; both intellectually, ethically. My previous teachers as well as anyone who knows me well enough would have no hesitation in telling you that whilst I'm quick to learn, I also get bored easily. I'm always looking for the next thing I can approach. The study of law appeals to the part of me that requires constant change, challenge and application. The law is ever evolving. Its history and evolution is fascinating. It can be contradictory and you can rarely interpret one part of it without needing to consult another. Researching any given legal topic is like falling down a Wikipedia or Youtube rabbit hole. You're never done learning, and just when you think you might be, a new case arises or legislation is amended and gives rise to countless new ways of approaching an issue.
I'd lying if I said the professional aspect didn't appeal to me. For someone who has struggled to believe in her own intelligence and capabilities in the past , I do feel proud to say that I study law. Being in a competitive environment that places a higher than usual focus on personal excellence does wonders for my motivation and has a trickle down effect on the rest of my life; particularly in my arts practice (believe it or not!).
If only I could find a way to condense this entire entry into a flippant and casual answer next time I'm asked that loaded question at a dinner party.
