Speaking with Lawyers Weekly, Ariella Tracton, a law student at UTS and paralegal at Segelov Taylor Lawyers; Sophie McCartney, a law student at the University of Wollongong and paralegal at XVII Degrees; Jeremy Short, a law student and paralegal at the University of Sydney; Lauren Rametta, a law student at La Trobe University and legal assistant at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers; and Sai Muthukumar, a law student from UTS and a 2024 New Colombo Plan Scholar, explore the most significant challenges they anticipate law students will need to overcome. They also share practical strategies for navigating these challenges successfully.

The clerkship challenge

Ariella Tracton, a finalist for the Law Student of the Year award at the Women in Law Awards 2024, emphasised that the most pressing challenge for law students in 2025 will be the rigorous process of applying for clerkships, all while managing the demanding workload imposed by their university studies.

“I anticipate that one of the most challenging experiences for law students will be managing the intense demands of clerkship applications alongside university, work and extracurriculars,” Tracton said.

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To address this challenge, Tracton advocates for implementing efficient work practices and encourages students to seek support from family, friends, and mentors to help mitigate burnout during this crucial time.

“My strategy is to focus on self-management and effective time management, work efficiently and spend valuable time and seek support from family, friends and mentors,” Tracton said.

She stressed the importance of engaging in hobbies outside legal studies, urging students to take intentional breaks to recharge and prioritise their wellbeing during the often stressful clerkship application period.

“As law students often juggle high expectations and limited time in the clerkship application period, my advice is to maintain realistic expectations to avoid burnout. It is crucial to engage in hobbies, especially those outside of law.

“Law students should take deliberate breaks to recharge and maintain personal wellbeing,” Tracton said.

AI into legal education

Sophie McCartney, a finalist for both the Law Student of the Year and Legal Support Professional of the Year awards at the Women in Law Awards 2024, noted that a pressing issue law students will encounter in the upcoming academic year is the integration of AI into the legal curriculum.

McCartney discussed the imperative for Australian universities to adapt their teaching methods to incorporate AI into the core subjects offered in their curricula.

“Australian universities should integrate AI concepts throughout the Priestley 11 subjects.

“For example, constitutional law could examine AI’s impact on privacy rights, contract law could explore smart contracts, and criminal law might analyse AI in predictive policing and sentencing,” McCartney said.

McCartney advocates that to prepare law students for the increasing integration of AI in the legal profession, universities must train students to leverage AI for legal research.

“Additionally, students should be taught how to leverage AI for legal research, including understanding its limitations and how to critically evaluate AI-generated case summaries,” McCartney said.

Prioritising wellbeing

Jeremy Short underscored that in 2025, law students will continue to grapple with the challenge of balancing academic pressures while prioritising their personal wellbeing.

“In 2025, law students will continue to be challenged by the difficulty in finding the right balance between academic and/or work pressures and personal wellbeing,” Short said.

He pointed out that the multitude of responsibilities and demands placed on law students can lead to significant stress and burnout if not adequately addressed.

“From class preparation, assignments and part-time work to the stress related to clerkships, entering the workforce and a competitive university cohort, it’s no surprise that stress and burnout remains a perennial issue for law students,” Short said.

Short expressed that students should adopt a holistic approach to their studies to address these challenges effectively. This includes not only focusing on academic performance but also engaging in activities that bring them joy and fulfilment.

“We need to try to place equal importance on scheduling personal time for ourselves as we do for meetings, study and networking events.

“Go for that run, buy that sweet treat and scroll on TikTok (within reason) – you deserve it,” Short said.

Finding work/life balance

Lauren Rametta, a finalist for the Law Student of the Year award at the Australian Law Awards 2023, emphasised the importance of prioritising work/life balance for law students as they navigate their academic journeys.

She articulated that throughout their time at university, students have access to numerous opportunities for involvement and engagement, including “mooting competitions, volunteering experience, barrister shadowing and applying for exciting legal roles”.

However, Rametta insists students need a strategic approach to managing these responsibilities to avoid burnout.

To thrive in 2025 and navigate these challenges, Rametta recommends that students set clear and achievable goals. This strategy will help them maintain their wellbeing while actively pursuing academic and career advancements.

“In order to start the year right, it is important to take the time to set clear goals for 2025.

“This will enable you to maintain a healthy work/life balance while also pursuing the opportunities that will lead you towards achieving your academic and career goals for the year,” Rametta said.

The rise of AI

Sai Muthukumar, a finalist for the Law Student of the Year award at the Australian Law Awards 2024, emphasised that as AI continues to evolve and integrate into the legal industry, it will present a significant challenge for law students to navigate in the upcoming academic year.

“Artificial intelligence continues to play a pivotal role in the future of the legal industry.

“Students are weary of AI and legal technologies transforming the duties of lawyers in 2025,” Muthukumar said.

Muthukumar noted that AI’s transformation of the legal industry has instilled a sense of apprehension among many students, who fear that the automation of tasks may impede their learning opportunities.

“There is concern that learning opportunities given to students and graduates are hindered by AI automating legal document preparation and research processes,” Muthukumar said.

In light of these challenges, Muthukumar asserts that students and universities must recognise the necessity for a significant shift in legal education, arguing that it is essential for universities to equip students with the skills to use AI ethically in professional settings.

“Students and institutions need to integrate AI use and learning into the existing legal education framework. It is imperative universities educate and prepare students for using AI ethically in professional settings. AI presents opportunities for students and graduates to harness technology and adapt to rapid changes in the profession,” he said.