Have you ever sat in a chair normally occupied by a state parliament member? Have you ever discussed the law with a legal expert in constitutional law in his/her work environment? Univ. Prof. Dr. Gudrun Trauner remarked, "As a university, we feel it is important to not only educate future legal experts in the classroom, but to also take them to the place where legislation happens." The JKU university professor for Public Law recently took students on a fascinating excursion to the state parliament building in Upper Austria.

Sigl: "No Patience for Flippant, Off-Hand Responses"
KommR Viktor Sigl, President of the Upper Austrian State Parliament, along with Hon. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Steiner, Director of the State Parliament and Head of the Constitutional Service, not only answered the students' professional questions, they also spoke candidly about their jobs. State Parliament President Sigl, for example, spoke about balancing act between club pressures and one's own opinion when it comes to plenary votes, and stated that he has little patience when "…a parliamentary question directed to a member of government is dismissed with a flippant response".

Steiner: "Legislative Processes in the Most Beautiful Sense Imaginable"
Steiner, an expert in Constitutional Law, spoke about on how legal norms are created in parliament: "Those in subcommittees read every word in every line of legal text out loud and go over texts with a fine-tooth comb. This is legislative process and opinion-forming in the best imaginable sense. We can do many positive things here!” His passion for the written word and his occupation becomes even more noticeable when talking about his services to the nation in various fields of activity.

Those who believe the job is dry and monotonous are barking up the wrong tree. Legal parliamentary experts examine laws and regulations, write and discuss laws, represent and argue legal issues in Upper Austria in front of the Constitutional Court or often travel to Brussels when representing Upper Austria.

Trauner: "A Personal Impression is the Key for Understanding"
JKU Prof. Trauner added, "Because it is about public law and the relationship between citizens and the state, it is vital for students to have a closer, more personal look at it all to better understand the subject." The JKU not only gives students an opportunity to personally meet legal government experts, the excursions give students deeper insight into various legal professions and opportunities to explore their interests.