Introducing Adithi
We recently caught up with Adithi Vedante, a public legal education volunteer, Adithi kindly shared an overview of what she does on an average day, her career highlights, challenges, and hopes for the future.
Why did you choose to pursue a legal career?
I’ve always been passionate about a career in law because I’ve been fascinated by the legal framework. I’ve always wanted to be able to help people through my work, and in my experience, the best place to do it is through the legal field.
Why have you chosen to become a public legal advisor volunteer?
It was a great way to keep myself engaged over the summer, while also contributing back to society. It’s also allowed me to research various areas of law that I wasn’t exposed to during my law degree, and look more closely at the practical aspects of them (how to appeal to tribunals, preparing a case etc)
An overview of what you do on an average day in your role?
I’m my group’s Coordinator – so my responsibility is split between research into SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – the area of law my group is focusing on), coordinating with our supervisors and passing on any necessary information to my group, and identifying any additional work that we need to take on as a group.
About once a week, my group and I have a zoom call where we discuss the areas of SEND that we’ve already researched, and the work we have to still do. I answer any questions that I can, and make a note of the ones I can’t, so I can take them up with our supervisors.
Our role as volunteers is to build informative leaflets to be uploaded on the Exeter Community Law Clinic’s website, and also develop short videos that walk any potential clients through the key legal and practical aspects of SEND.
What are your goals and plans for the future?
I hope to one day be be a criminal barrister.
What is one thing you would like to have known before starting your career?
How much work there is before you reach where you want to be – it’s all worth it but I really thought a three year law degree was going to be the end of it when I started out!!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a public legal volunteer?
Look into opportunities with pro-bono clinics near you – and always remember to use your university and your university resources. If your university doesn’t run its own pro bono clinic, it’s very likely that one of your professors or co-ordinators will be able to direct you towards an organisation that is looking for volunteers.
Photo by Mikhail Pavstyuk on Unsplash
