Kelsey Buchanan
About Candidate
I decided to pursue a degree in law due to my passion for achieving justice and equality, particularly in the areas of intellectual property, finance and the overall commercial law space (mergers, acquisitions, etc.). A big reason I pushed myself towards this pursuit is a focus on developing and pushing a greater understanding of these areas of law within the greater public space.
I have worked hard throughout my academic career maintaining an A aggregate throughout high school and university (75% – 80%+) to ensure I know and understand my work well enough to ensure that any task I complete is done carefully and with ample knowledge. I have worked as a secretary for an NGO where I learnt about the working environment, its requirements and how to achieve personal and professional goals in a timely and meticulous manner to ensure all parties are more than satisfied. Here I learned how the real working environment works whilst adjusting to the pandemic and how the overall working and corporate sphere changed.
I hope to work throughout my degree and professional career as a lawyer to achieve my personal and professional goals. One of my professional goals is completing my LLB degree cum laude and pursuing a Master’s degree also to be achieved cum laude. I aim to complete my articles at a law firm which I hope to do with passion, honesty and achievement at the highest standard. I hope to further qualify as an attorney and serve my law firm, future clients and the justice system with integrity and trust. One of my personal goals is to use my education and knowledge garnered throughout my career to educate others about the law, hoping to make the abstract art of law more understandable and digestible to all.
Location
Education
I am studying a four-year LLB in pursuit of becoming a corporate/ commercial attorney. I am currently in my third year of this degree.
Work & Experience
Rotated through the following legal departments: labour law; construction advisory disputes; litigation, regulation and taxation; global crimes; transactional services (commercial and corporate law); projects and project financing and environmental law. Worked with associates and partners on various projects such as client consultations, client preparation, research to bring in new clients and research into cases in foreign jurisdictions for foreign clients Worked with candidate attorneys on case research and presentations Worked with associates in arbitration and mediation for local and foreign jurisdictions Worked with candidate attorneys in the drafting of legal documents used in court and for client presentations Assisted partners in research for cases regarding a litigation matter in foreign and local jurisdictions
Continuous internship with Attorney Andrea Goldman Observed procedures in and surrounding the preparation of cases for court Observed a harassment claim in Court, extending my knowledge in this area of the law Shadowed the preparation for Court matters such as legal research into matters surrounding the case, filing of court orders for effective case presentation Observed consultations with clients regarding family law (divorce matters) extending my knowledge in counselling and advising clients on issues pertaining to them Attending meetings and consultations, taking notes related to this and planning and researching using these notes Legal research into a Supreme Court of Appeal matter under Attorney Andrea Goldman
Assisting first-year students with the transition from high school to university by providing them with academic, personal and wellness support Mentoring first years in ventures outside of academics such as guidance and career understanding Assisting in technological issues through platforms like Microsoft, Google and Adobe Tutored Law students through a variety of LLB modules, tailoring them to different needs of individuals Offered subject-specific content and guidance through online and in-person sessions to provide academic advice to students
Managed three campuses (Howard, Edgewood, Medical School), their administration, duties, projects, events, budgets Accounting and budgeting with treasurers in collaboration with the overall Golden Key society Collaboration with other universities (DUT, Wits) on events, projects and administration Working with various non-profit organisations as a manager and volunteer such as Phoenix Home for Women and Children, and PMB Homeless Shelters on projects and fundraisers Collaboration with businesses and business owners like Standard Bank for events and webinars Management of events, projects and policies to ensure completion Organising new appointments and meetings and overseeing the daily, weekly, and monthly agenda.