My time at ProBono.Org was a glimpse into a side of the legal world that I hadn’t really seen before. I came in hoping to understand what law looks like in practice, especially in a space dedicated to public interest and access to justice. What I left with was a sense of direction, an appreciation for the everyday work legal professionals do, and moments that pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible.
A large part of my time was spent on administrative tasks like organising and sorting closed case files, filing new child cases into the file system, and updating case activities. At first, I saw this as sort of just background work, until I began to notice how key these systems are to making justice function. Each file represents someone’s story, often a difficult one, and how it’s handled has real consequences. In that sense, learning how to work with legal documentation felt more like a responsibility and less of just a random task.
One of the more intellectually challenging parts of my time was working on legal research related to inheritance law. This process taught me a lot. I learned how to sift through dense information, double check sources, and make sure what I was writing was clear and accurate. It helped me develop my research skills, especially in the legal field. This is certainly something I hope to carry with me into future studies and work.
I also drafted case memoranda. This was one of the more technical but satisfying parts of the work. It required me to summarise case details clearly and concisely. It taught me how to write in a legal context where each word and number could change the entire case.
Alongside that, I spent time calling clients to clarify details or retrieve missing information. That was definitely something I found difficult at first. Speaking to strangers about sensitive personal issues over the phone from a legal organisation meant that I needed a balance of confidence, empathy, and professionalism that I was still learning to find. My first call was certainly a rough one as I felt my voice trembling, but with each call I got better. I listened more attentively, I asked more thoughtful questions, and I spoke more clearly.
The standout moment of my time came when I was invited to attend a Family Case Flow Management meeting at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court. I got to see the inside of a courtroom and observe how legal professionals interact with one another. I watched as these professionals interacted efficiently and often under pressure, but with a shared goal. This certainly left a lasting impression on me.
Looking back, I feel grateful for the chance to learn, to be challenged and to contribute in small ways. I hope the work I did was helpful, even in the background. I also want to say a big thank you to Daphne Makombe for her support and guidance. Her attention to my learning and growth never went unnoticed.
Working at ProBono.Org strengthened my interest in law, particularly in spaces where it merges with social justice. It made the law feel less like an abstract system and more like a living process; a process that is difficult, complex, and human. I’m proud to have been part of that, even just for a short while.
