29 February 2024
This week Fitzroy Legal Service was pleased to welcome Eve Dickenson as the organisation’s 2024 Trainee Lawyer where she’ll be supported to launch a career in social justice and community law.
With a diverse program that rotates through Fitzroy Legal Service’s wide reaching community law and advocacy teams, Eve was excited to kickstart the year and gain insights from passionate community lawyers across the organisation.
“There is a wealth of experience here, and I am excited to learn about the law from people who value justice and equality in the same way that I do,” she said.
“It is an inspiring group of people to work alongside and it is a privilege to learn from experienced colleagues about how best to support people who are facing hardship.”
With the dedicated support of long-term partner, Allens, Fitzroy Legal Service has offered the Traineeship Program in partnership with Allens for 26 years, providing emerging lawyers in Victoria with an important program to launch their careers in the community law space.
I think if you’re interested in pursuing a career in community law or feel strongly about social justice then get involved with a CLC.
Eve Dickenson, FLS Trainee Lawyer
It’s a unique role that I think offers an experience unlike lots of other graduate roles, Eve says. “For me the appeal is that it will be a great opportunity to build a career in community law and be part of a team that has a shared passion for making our legal system more accessible.”
Starting her rotation this week with Fitzroy Legal Service’s 51-year running Night Service, as an aspiring criminal lawyer, Eve is particularly excited for her time with the Criminal Law Team where she’ll have exposure to duty lawyering at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre and involvement with drug outreach program.
This is not Eve’s first exposure to community law, bringing with her two years of experience volunteering with Fitzroy Legal Service from 2021, alongside volunteering at Job Watch and the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission in Alice Springs.
“It’s important to remember that there is a life outside law school,” she says. “I think if you’re interested in pursuing a career in community law or feel strongly about social justice then get involved with a CLC.”
“Volunteering throughout my law degree was far more fulfilling than getting swept up in the competitiveness of law school!”
Find out more about volunteering with FLS. If you’d like to discuss how your organisation can help fund community lawyers like Eve, please contact support@fls.org.au for more information.
