Client Interviewing skills take students all the way to Poland
Q&A with Isla Clarkson and Jimmy Fiso on travelling to Poland to represent New Zealand and other successes in 2024.
Legal competitions are a time-honoured practice for students at Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture―Faculty of Law. These events, organised by the Victoria University of Wellington Law Students’ Society (VUWLSS) and other student representative groups, are often supported by generous donors, law firms, associations, and the Judiciary. They provide invaluable opportunities for our students to hone their legal skills and are fertile ground for aspiring lawyers to master the art of mooting, client interviewing, negotiation, or witness examination.
This year, V.Alum had the pleasure of speaking with two impressive fourth-year law students, Isla Clarkson and Jimmy Fiso, who were crowned 2023 champions at the annual International Client Consultation Competition (ICCC) national qualifying competition run by the New Zealand Law Students’ Association (NZSLA).
They were invited to represent New Zealand at the 2024 Brown-Mosten International Client Consultation Competition (BMICCC), held at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin in Poland.
2024 has been a busy year for you both since winning the client interviewing crown. Tell us more.
Jimmy: This year has been an incredible journey for us in client interviewing―we’ve had the privilege to compete in four competitions, against more than 50 teams, across three countries, collecting three awards along the way.
Isla: Client interviewing competitions require a team of two to act as solicitors conducting an initial consultation with a prospective client (played by an actor with a detailed character profile). The team has 45 minutes to build a rapport with the client and gather essential information to provide preliminary advice. The competition is designed to simulate a real lawyer–client interview, with teams assessed against specific criteria.
Tell us about the 2024 BMICCC in Poland—how did you prepare?
Isla: The competition focused on international humanitarian law. We tackled complex issues such as reporting war crimes, managing objectionable material, immigration and asylum concerns, and the challenges of cyber warfare.
Since we were already travelling halfway around the world to Poland, we took the opportunity to visit the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to learn firsthand about the international criminal process and how it relates to international humanitarian law. We also engaged in workshops and panels addressing how to discuss sensitive topics with individuals affected by war and severe trauma.
Jimmy: I would say that a big highlight of our preparation was receiving special training from the Hon. Phil Goff, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the UK, and Alana Hudson, New Zealand’s Ambassador to Poland.
Phil Goff shared insights on diplomacy, emphasising the importance of optimism and understanding the person in front of you, even in difficult interactions—a perspective that has enriched our approach to building rapport with clients. Alana Hudson provided her perspective on the importance of understanding cultural context—especially when handling delicate topics like war trauma and asylum. Both meetings were invaluable in refining the interpersonal skills essential to the competition and the significance of empathy, adaptability, and communication skills with people from different walks of life.
How did you go in the competition?
Isla: While we were proud to represent Aotearoa New Zealand on the global stage at the BMICCC, we were disappointed not to progress through to the finals—we were knocked out by Scotland, the winners of the competition.
However, the experience was incredible. We forged so many friendships and connections with people from around the world and gained an appreciation for client-centred approaches to legal services that we look forward to carrying into our future careers.
And since your return?
Jimmy: We’ve been putting everything we learnt into practice! We won the 2024 regional client interviewing competition, received the Client Interviewing Spirit of the Competition Award at the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) Annual Conference in Tasmania, and, most recently, proudly reclaimed the title of national client interviewing champions at the New Zealand Law Students’ Association (NZLSA) Annual Conference in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.
BMICCC 2025 in Scotland—here we come!
Isla: We both recognise that this journey would not have been possible without the unwavering support from the Faculty, alumni, VUWLSS, VUW clubs, and generous sponsors such as Kate Sheppard Chambers and other donors who wish to remain anonymous. They provided us with funding, training, and encouragement. We are so grateful.
Any other personal highlights this year?
Jimmy: Alongside my studies and client interviewing, three key moments stand out for me this year. As Co-President of the Pasifika Law Students’ Society (PLSS) with Shanay Talopau, I’ve had the privilege of supporting the growth of our Pasifika community at law school. In September, I visited Penn State Dickinson Law in the US, where I led a seminar on Pacific constitutions and a roundtable with student leaders on advocacy and representation in legal spaces. And as Co-Student Representative on Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (The Māori Law Society), I helped establish Tūmatakahuki, the National Māori Law Students’ Association. I’m honoured to continue as Co-President into 2025 and look forward to building on this mahi.
Isla: 2024 has been a rewarding year, with new experiences and opportunities for academic and personal growth. I’ve had the privilege of serving once again on the VUWLSS Executive, this time as Vice President (Administration)—a rewarding way to give back to the student community. I’ve also enjoyed exploring new areas of law through the honours programme. My dissertation examines cyberflashing and online harms, highlighting gaps in New Zealand’s Harmful Digital Communications Act in protecting women. I’m grateful to have received the 2024 Kate Sheppard Chambers Scholarship to support this research. On a personal note, I recently completed a valuable internship with the refugee and immigration team at Community Law. I’m now looking forward to starting a summer clerkship at Chapman Tripp to continue building my practical skills.