Ms Yasmeen Rasool.“Bumpy Road” Makes Success Sweeter for Law Graduate
Having her car stolen with all of her research material in it as well as having to complete her degree via correspondence after moving from Durban to Johannesburg to start her articles of clerkship, were obstacles Master of Laws graduate Ms Yasmeen Rasool had to overcome in the pursuit of her qualification.
‘Although I had several challenges, I was determined to complete my studies and add to the literature on my topic area. At the firm where I work, Allen & Overy, I am seen as the “go to expert” for any issues related to my masters research,’ said Rasool.
Rasool’s research titled: “An Examination of how the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPI) Will Impact on Direct Marketing and the Current Legislative Framework in South Africa”, explores how the promulgation of the said Act would impact on the practice of direct marketing in South Africa. The study was supervised by Mr Lee Swales.
‘I think my area of research is a new development in the law and as such there is a death of scholarly writing about it. In my view, my research validly contributes to the dialogue on the legislation,’ she said.
Juggling her studies with the demanding schedule of being a Candidate Attorney meant many late nights turned into early mornings, with her social life almost non-existent. Nevertheless, she says sacrifices were worth it.
Rasool is looking forward to the growth that comes with her newly acquired skills. ‘A masters is a very challenging degree because it requires you to extract from yourself research, analytical, reasoning and many other skills which an LLB doesn’t necessarily equip you with. It forces you to think outside the box which I believe is an exercise that can only grow you,’ she said.