Jones crunches the numbers on what could be if every NZ law firm set up a no-cost clinic
Keegan Jones was supposed to go all into a business career, but one conversation with a staff member at his university during orientation day changed the course of not only his life, but of access to justice in Whangarei.
Jones grew up witnessing the poor socio-economic conditions in his Northland community, and he decided that his main goal was to make a difference with his legal skills. In March, he established his first free legal clinic in partnership with Ngāti Hine Health Trust – an effort that has seen him recognised by mainstream media outlets such as the NZ Herald.
In this interview, Jones tells NZ Lawyer what he learned from holding that first clinic, how he’s broadening his legal horizons by getting into family and criminal law, and how his “little legal clinic in Whangarei” can be a blueprint for other New Zealand law firms.
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What got you into law in the first place?
I unexpectedly found myself diving into the field of law during my university's orientation day. Initially, my plan was to pursue a standalone Bachelor of Business as it seemed like the popular choice. However, during an off-chance conversation with a university staff member about the prospects of a law degree, something clicked. I was instantly drawn to the subject and became hooked right away. Although I didn't fully grasp its significance at the time, that moment became a turning point in my life, leading me down the path of law.
How did you go about the process of identifying where you could use your legal skills to help people?
Hailing from the Far North of Aotearoa New Zealand, I couldn’t ignore the harsh reality of the poor socio-economic outcomes which faced the community. Experiencing this firsthand, rather than merely learning about it in lectures, brings a profound understanding of the impact caused by a broken justice system. Witnessing these disparities growing up has taught me invaluable lessons that cannot be replicated in a lecture. It became clear to me that upon returning to Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), my primary goal was to make a difference in my community, and the best way I knew how to achieve that was through law.
What about Ngāti Hine Health Trust made you want to work with them specifically?
As a person of Ngati Hine descent, it was a natural choice for me to work alongside whanau in order to uplift and support them. The Ngāti Hine Health Trust has a strong commitment to serving the community. Their dedication to improving the well-being of all people in the Northland community aligns with my own values. By collaborating with Ngāti Hine Health Trust, I knew that they had the right resources and connections to target those who would need the legal clinics the most. Therefore, working with Ngati Hine provided a greater opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community in the most efficient way possible.
You held the first legal clinic in March – what did you learn from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to the most recent one?
The first legal clinic held in March provided us with helpful insights that have influenced the success of our most recent one. Through a collaborative effort involving myself, the dedicated team at 155 Community Law, and the Ngati Hine Health Trust, we have actively sought ways to enhance the experience for whanau/clients.
One area of significant focus for us has been the enhancement of our intake administration process and clinic atmosphere. By streamlining the registration and documentation procedures, we have been able to accelerate the overall process, ensuring that whanau receive prompt and efficient legal help. Additionally, we have made efforts to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for whanau who visit our clinic. Our dedicated Ngati Hine Health Trust Kaimahi (staff) warmly greet whanau/clients as they step through our doors, aiming to foster a friendly and approachable atmosphere during every clinic.
On a personal level, the experience of these legal clinics has exposed me to the harsh reality faced by many kiwis. Witnessing firsthand the challenges and struggles faced by our community has deepened my understanding and empathy for their situations. It has motivated me and our team to work even harder to provide meaningful legal support with the hopes to take a legal burden off their shoulders.
Your academic background is in commerce, but you’re largely dealing with family/criminal law – what has it been like dealing with those branches of law?
Navigating family and criminal law, despite my commercial background, has presented a distinct contrast. Commercial law often revolves transactions, contracts, and business-related matters, requiring a strong attention to detail and analytical mindset. On the other hand, family and criminal law touch upon deeply personal and sensitive aspects of people's lives, involving emotions, relationships, and real-life issues. While commercial law focuses on the intricacies of business, family and criminal law delve into the human side of legal matters, providing an opportunity to connect with individuals on a deeper level and make a tangible difference in their lives. Embracing these challenges of family and criminal law has allowed me to broaden my legal skill set.
Additionally, I am incredibly fortunate to receive ongoing support from 155 Community Law and my colleagues at WRMK Lawyers, whose wealth of knowledge provides invaluable guidance whenever I encounter obstacles along the way.
How are you planning to grow this initiative in the near future?
155 Community Law has introduced an innovative initiative to enhance accessibility by incorporating online appointments. This allows clients who are unable to visit Whangarei or lack transportation options to access legal consultations remotely via Microsoft Teams. We are currently in the trial phase of implementing this online appointment system, exploring the potential growth for effectiveness and user-friendliness.
To ensure a diverse range of legal expertise is available to our clients, we have implemented a roster system. Lawyers from the local area can volunteer their services, offering specialised knowledge and skills in various legal areas. This approach enables us to address specific legal issues comprehensively during each clinic session. However, managing this roster can be challenging, particularly since our clients often walk in without prior appointments. In such cases, we refer them to appropriate specialists or schedule follow-up appointments with the appropriate legal professionals who can provide the necessary assistance. At the moment, we hope to grow the volunteer portfolio to cater for all areas of law.
How in your opinion can the legal profession better step up initiatives with regard to access to justice?
Often in law we hear the big issue of “access to justice”. Although it may not be the silver bullet, imagine the positive impact we could make if every law firm in the country decided to establish a free legal clinic. Since March 2023, our clinics have on average helped around 5 individuals per clinic. Based on this average, if a single law firm were to hold a legal clinic with two sessions each month, providing support to around 10 people, we could reach a total of 100 individuals within a span of 10 months. With all 2,000 law firms actively participating in offering free legal clinics, that would potentially aid 200,000 people across the country. Now, I'm no mathematician, but those numbers seem pretty impressive to me.
I hope that this little legal clinic in Whangarei can serve as a blueprint for other law firms across the country. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals by offering accessible legal support.