Alex Norrish: From novice to mentor and senior associate
50 Years / 50 Voices: Learning law and changing lives is a commemorative volume marking the 50th anniversary of the ongoing Monash Law Clinical Program, a pioneering initiative in clinical legal education undertaken by the Faculty of Law at Monash University. 50 alumni of the Monash Law Clinical Program shared their story with 50 current students of the same program. This is an excerpt from the book.
Read more about 50 years of Monash Law Clinics and buy 50 Years / 50 Voices here
Alex Norrish’s early days at law school consisted mainly of lectures, tutorials and seminars. Before his placement, Norrish had no prior legal experience. However, in 2017, he decided to take on a professional placement at Monash Law Clinics under the supervision of Associate Professor Ross Hyams. He was keen to do as many practical electives as possible.
His placement was difficult at first, especially as he had missed his orientation due to illness and had some ‘catching up’ to do. Once Norrish was able to settle into his placement, his time at the clinic soon became one of his most cherished periods at university.
Working in a generalist stream of Professional Practice, Norrish dealt with a range of matters, from traffic infringements to family law. He became known as ‘the accident guy’ due to the number of car accident matters he dealt with.
Not all of his cases were simple and straightforward, however. A lot of them involved complex issues or novel scenarios. A memorable case involved a client who came into the clinic claiming that a pair of ski pants had given them a rash. It became clear, eventually, that the rash was caused by the client not wearing the ski pants correctly.
Alex Norrish celebrates his law graduation with Associate Professor Ross Hyams.
Read more about 50 years of Monash Law Clinics and buy 50 Years / 50 Voices here
In another matter, a client came in for an interview regarding a child abduction. It emerged that the missing child was a 27-year-old adult who had become estranged from their parents and had stopped responding to them.
Norrish describes the clinics as an enriching experience that gave him practical skills he still uses today. ‘I learned more from the placement with the clinic than I did in the previous three years at law school,’ Norrish says, adding that his interpersonal skills also improved dramatically. The placement was his first significant exposure to clients who were either very emotional or non-responsive. He also had to learn how to manage and speak with clients who were aggressive or crying. The placement exposed him to legal writing, advocacy and collaborating effectively with his colleagues and supervisor to resolve legal issues.
After his placement ended, Norrish continued volunteering at Monash Law Clinics – mentoring new students during the night sessions. He also worked on a research project helping to create an informational video aimed at demystifying the legal system for social workers.
Norrish encourages students to get out of the classroom and take on a practical unit or placement, reminding them that the skills gained – even when it’s challenging – will shape their future career and direction. Working with real-life clients is an experience which will shape you, he says, far more than perfecting the art of a perfect exam answer.
Read more about 50 years of Monash Law Clinics and buy 50 Years / 50 Voices here
Get involved with Monash Law Clinics
Monash Law Clinics combine legal education with real-world impact, supporting access to justice while equipping students with practical, ethical and professional skills.
If you are a student interested in undertaking a clinical unit as part of your studies, explore the available clinical placements and elective options.
Whether you’re an alum, practitioner or organisation keen to support the clinics through hosting placements, partnerships, volunteering or funding, there’s a way to be involved. To learn more, contact Emily Collard, Industry & Alumni Engagement Manager, at emily.collard@monash.edu.