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Interview with Donna Miller 275
with their encounters with reality. But giving people a framework to think about
it, in the sense that yes there are a lot of options and ideas out there and the next
time they want to think about what they want to do they can actually go revisit a
whole lot of interesting material and read up on it before they make their
decisions. All of that is something I think we can equip students with that we
haven’t yet.
DJM: I totally agree with the idea that if students can leave law school with a
better sense of where their interests lie, and what the practice of law actually looks
like in that particular environment, then I think that can only serve their needs.
And it can only serve the profession’s needs, because you end up with a better
match between the interests and capacities of the particular person involved. I
guess the other thing too, and I think this is also becoming the case more in the
private sector: you cannot practise law in the public sector unless you know how
to work in a team context. I can see that through moot court appearances and
some of the more clinical work, the law school is replicating some of these team
approaches to the practice of law, and I think that that’s terrific. But I think it’s
important that students really understand that working in a team is the way law is
practised. The old days of the “lone wolf” litigator certainly don’t exist in the
public sector and I don’t think we see much of that left even in the private sector.
So I think it’s important for students to have some understanding of how law is
practised and the importance of collegiality within the workplace and across the
profession.
VIII.
CONCLUSION
BPS: Now you have been extremely generous with your time and very
thoughtful with your answers, is there anything I haven’t asked about, or would
you like to talk about something that may interest our readers, before we wrap
things up
DJM: Well, I don’t think there is, I guess if I was going to say anything it’s
that I have really enjoyed being here at the law school, I have enjoyed the work I
have done in the political studies department, it has been a really good year and a
great experience and I feel quite blessed having that opportunity.
BPS: And I’m sure both colleagues and students really appreciate your
bringing in a wealth of experience and insight to us. I’ll conclude with a thought
that comes to mind, an episode of the Simpsons… [laughing]
DJM: [laughing] My son’s favourite show.
BPS: Comic Book Guy is breathing his last breath, he says, “An entire life
spent reading comics,’ then pauses and concludes, “life well lived.” 19 And I would
19 The Simpsons Movie, 2007, DVD: (Beverly Hills, Cal: 20 th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2007)
at 1h6m.