Legal Education and Social Responsibility: A Qualitative Inquiry into Law Students' Perspectives

Abstract

This study aimed to explore law students' perspectives on the intersection of legal education and social responsibility, focusing on how current educational practices align with the goals of fostering social awareness and responsibility among future legal professionals. Employing a qualitative research design, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 law students from various law schools across the country. The participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse range of experiences and viewpoints. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes related to students' perceptions of their legal education and its role in preparing them for socially responsible legal practice. Five main themes emerged from the data: Perceptions of Legal Education; Social Responsibility in the Legal Profession; Personal Development and Identity; Institutional Support and Resources; and Future Directions for Legal Education. These themes encompassed a range of categories and concepts, including the importance of interdisciplinary coursework, the role of creative and reflective practices in fostering ethical reasoning, the impact of legal education on personal and professional identity, the critical role of institutional support, and recommendations for integrating technology and promoting diversity within legal education. The study highlights law students' recognition of the importance of social responsibility within their profession and the need for legal education to more effectively foster this attribute. It suggests that by incorporating interdisciplinary content, encouraging reflective practices, and enhancing institutional support, legal education can better prepare students to meet the challenges of contemporary legal practice with a strong sense of ethical and social responsibility.