AGL Law Technology Clinic
By Jacqueline Weinberg
Monash Law Faculty has a clinical guarantee where all law students are given the opportunity to engage in clinics where they learn how substantive law is used in practice- this intersection of academia and practice can be achieved in many ways. In this AGL Legal Technology Clinic, it has been through the intersection of technology and the provision of service.
Over twelve weeks, the Monash Law Clinical Program partnered with AGL to provide law students with hands-on experience utilising technology to solve service delays. Students in the AGL Legal Technology Clinic have learnt about the ever-changing demands of industry and gained practical knowledge on how to use technology to provide excellence in service.
Supervised by Dr Jacqueline Weinberg, Director of Clinical Units in the Monash Clinical Program, students have worked closely with AGL’s Commercial Advisory Team, especially Natalie Shanahan, Manager of the Commercial Advisory Team, and Mike Young, Graduate, to provide technology solutions which will streamline work flow. As AGL continues to electrify and decarbonise the way their customer services live, move and work, the students were tasked with enhancing AGL’s Sustainable Business Energy Solutions (SBES) ability to deliver commercial solar for large business customers. On 1 May, the students presented their solutions for future implementation at AGL’s Bourke Street offices, which will help AGL in more efficiently deliver renewable energy solutions for business customers.
The success of the clinic is highlighted in the reflections from these students:
"This Law Tech clinic in collaboration with AGL has been of great benefit to all of us."
"The opportunities provided to us in the business case allowed us to expand our understanding of the energy sector, in addition to the intersection between law and technology."
"Our group, having had no previous engagement with LawTech through university or professional avenues, found ourselves equally intrigued by its potential, leading us to choose this clinic. In this clinic, we had the opportunity to trial and research various technologies, and even interact with company representatives, which underscored the promising future of the law tech."
"Most of our group members are set to graduate either this year or midway through the next, making the experience of working closely with a professional corporate client especially valuable. This collaboration provided us with essential insights as we transition into our professional careers."