30 July 2023

Joining FLS this month after volunteering for over a year, we meet with paralegal Christina Potts to hear her experience of volunteering and now working in our Family Law and Family Violence Team, and the values that pulled her to this work.
  • What was your role as a volunteer at FLS and what did it largely involve?  

I worked as a paralegal in the Family Law and Family Violence Team and also at the Divorce Clinic. This mainly involved assisting with client intake, completing tasks on files and supporting legal research. I was also able to shadow the duty lawyers at the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court which was a great experience.

I absolutely loved being a paralegal at the divorce clinic and assisting clients with their online divorce applications. It is such a great learning opportunity, and an opportunity to directly help people in taking such a big step in their lives.

  • What prompted you to get involved in this type of work?

I had a friend who volunteered with the Night Service and who always raved about the experience and the friends she’s made. I knew FLS had a great reputation for supporting the community, and I had referred to The Law Handbook a couple of times during university. This really drove me to want to get involved.

  • How close was this to what you were expecting?  

There is a strong sense of camaraderie and respect amongst the volunteers and staff. Something I did not expect is the real impact that you can make here as a volunteer. Even though I was not an admitted lawyer during that year, I felt that the work I was able to do could really make an impact within the local community. 

Something I did not expect is the real impact that you can make here as a volunteer.

Christina Potts, FLS Paralegal and former volunteer

For example, when I was working as a paralegal with the duty lawyer at the Heidelberg Magistrates Court, an affected family member/victim survivor of family violence asked me to sit with them whilst their matter was heard. Afterwards they told me they felt they were supported just by having someone else to sit with them and make them feel a bit safer during court.  

  • How would you describe the work and culture of FLS as a service?  

There is a real sense that everyone is working towards a common goal of providing the community with meaningful access to justice and legal outcomes to benefit the whole community. Having this shared goal is so motivating and inspiring.  All jobs are challenging at times, but having such a strong sense of community and a common goal helps sustain work ethic, sense of purpose and enjoyment of a role.

  • Could you tell us a bit about what your role as a paralegal involves?

My role now largely involves working on family law case work, and assisting at the Heidelberg Magistrates Court and Neighbourhood Justice Centre in Collingwood. Once I am admitted I will be assisting by giving advice appointments at our Health Justice Partnership organisations.

  • What drives you and gives you most passion?

I am most passionate about community access to legal advice. You could assume that with today’s technology, that legal information is readily at everyone’s fingertips. It is true that there is a flood of information on the internet and social media that is readily accessible. However, there is also a flood of misinformation, disinformation and sometimes the law is complicated and hard to understand.

I believe everyone has the right to sit down with a legal advisor and have laws and rights clearly explained, no matter their background or financial situation.    

  • What’s the top piece of advice you’d give to other FLS volunteers looking to build their legal career?

My top piece of advice is to seek out mentorship, preferably from people who have a different life experience to you, and who will challenge your way of thinking.  A great mentor who encourages critical thinking can build your confidence, and legal skills.

Christina Potts joined FLS in July 2023 as a Family Law and Family Violence Paralegal after volunteering with the team for over a year. Prior to this, she worked in family law at Nevett Ford Lawyers in Melbourne and criminal law firm Kingsley Napley in London. Christina has graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Laws and is currently undertaking her Practical Legal Training to become admitted as a lawyer. 

Find out more about our team and the legal services they provide.  

Other news

FLS CEO Hamish McLachlan reflects on September
September 30, 2024
A message from the CEO – September 2024
Read article ›
His Honour Magistrate Brian Wright
September 24, 2024
FLS Life Member reflects on 46 years of community service
Read article ›
The Law Handbook 2024
September 10, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service’s Law Handbook 2024 is now available as a free online resource for the community
Read article ›
Save Community Legal Centres
September 5, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service calls on governments to end the funding crisis
Read article ›
August 22, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service calls for family law system reforms to protect victim-survivors of family violence
Read article ›
Changes to the FLS Board
August 6, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service announces new appointments and changes to the Board   
Read article ›
Media-release-Medicinal-Cannabis-driving-laws.png
July 8, 2024
MEDIA RELEASE: Victorian Government must fix outdated and unfair driving laws that punish those prescribed medical cannabis    
Read article ›
The Law Handbook 2024
July 8, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service launches 46th edition of The Law Handbook    
Read article ›
Carol Andrades, Former Fitzroy Legal Service Board member and long-term Night Service volunteer
July 4, 2024
Five minutes with former Fitzroy Legal Service Board member and longstanding volunteer, Carol Andrades  
Read article ›
Night Service victim-survivor of gendered violence
June 12, 2024
Gemma’s case is not unique (CW: gendered-violence) 
Read article ›
FLS appoints new CEO Hamish McLachlan
May 30, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service’s Board appoints new CEO, Hamish McLachlan
Read article ›
Job Expo for Lived and Living Experience
May 23, 2024
Groundbreaking jobs expo to challenge barriers for women locked out of employment 
Read article ›
IDAHOBIT DAY
May 17, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service and Q+Law celebrate IDAHOBIT Day
Read article ›
Australia must do more to secure a ceasefire in Palestine
May 14, 2024
Australia must do more to secure a ceasefire in Palestine
Read article ›
FLS's free Divorce Clinic
April 30, 2024
Family Law and Family Violence team reignite FLS’s Divorce Clinic
Read article ›
A msg from the CEO, Hamish McLachlan
April 30, 2024
Message from the CEO – April 2024  
Read newsletter ›
Amity Mara, Manager, Policy, Advocacy and Projects
April 29, 2024
Five minutes with Amity Mara
Read post ›
April 15, 2024
Migration Bill denies safe pathways for people seeking asylum in Australia
Read post ›
March 28, 2024
Message from the CEO – March 2024  
Read newsletter ›
Rebecca Johnston-Ryan, Service Director and Principal Lawyer, Night Service
March 27, 2024
Five minutes with FLS Night Service Director and Principal Lawyer, Rebecca Johnston-Ryan
Read post ›
March 26, 2024
FLS welcomes new volunteers for 2024 
Read post ›
March 15, 2024
FLS submission to amend Australia’s Family Law Act  
Read post ›
February 29, 2024
Message from the CEO – February 2024  
Read newsletter ›
FLS 2024 Trainee Lawyer
February 29, 2024
Welcoming FLS’s 2024 Trainee Lawyer
Read post ›
A message from the CEO, January 2024, Hamish McLachlan
January 31, 2024
Message from the CEO – January 2024  
Read newsletter ›
January 18, 2024
Fitzroy Legal Service doors remain open this Invasion Day
Read post ›
Hamish McLachlan
January 9, 2024
Introducing FLS Interim CEO, Hamish McLachlan  
Read post ›
November 28, 2023
In the future, people like Thuy will no longer face unfair barriers
Read post ›
November 8, 2023
FLS announces CEO departure following a legacy of purposeful growth
Read post ›
Solicitor and former Australian Government Solicitor, Michael Kingston
October 24, 2023
Five minutes with former FLS volunteer, Michael Kingston
Read post ›
June 30, 2023
Reflections on a harm reduction intervention in the Inquest into Veronica Nelson’s passing
Read article ›
Human Rights News
June 19, 2023
Victoria Police breaches human rights and its own policies at cannabis legalisation rally
Read article ›
May 26, 2023
FLS submission on a medically supervised injecting service in the City of Melbourne
Read post ›
March 31, 2023
Q+Law: A new legal service with and for LGBTIQA+ communities
Read article ›
March 10, 2023
FLS joins calls for a Supervised Injecting Service in the CBD
Read article ›
January 24, 2023
Fitzroy Legal Service joins in calls from Aboriginal, legal, and human rights organisations for the urgent reform of Victoria’s bail laws.
Read article ›
October 13, 2022
Vale Uncle Jack
Read article ›
October 22, 2021
Human Rights don’t stop at prison gates. It is time to end routine strip searching of people in prison!
Read post ›
View all news ›