Volunteer Program

Paralegal pathway program: This is a two tier program offering a progression for both law students and practitioners.

For law students: After a roughly 6 month assignment in the admin assistant role, students will be provided with the opportunity to volunteer as a paralegal supporting our lawyers as part of our night service.

For practitioners: As a result of COVID we have uncovered a wide range of lawyers who are yet to gain experience in face to face client interactions. This program allows junior lawyers to come in as a paralegal for a few weeks to months (we acknowledge that everyone's journey is different) before stepping into the volunteer lawyer role.*

*You cannot apply for your practising certificate under Fitzroy Legal service while you are a paralegal.

Migrant employment law clinic: paralegal positions only, working alongside one of our night service lawyers. Most recruitment is internal.

Regular rotations: Our day service often requires volunteers for short assignments to assist different teams with projects, cases or inquiries. As a volunteer for our day service, you will receive emails from the volunteer coordinator inviting you to complete short term assignments with other programs as part of our day service. There are also other roles that come up that can be done in addition to existing roles or as an alternate opportunity. This allows volunteers to gain experience in vastly different areas across the service, meet other staff members and fellow volunteers.

Family Law/ Family violence team: Specialist Divorce clinic: FLS’ Divorce Clinic assists clients to prepare and file Applications for Divorce. Volunteers complete the application with clients under the supervision of a Senior Lawyer from the FLFV team. The clinic operates once each month from the Fitzroy Town Hall office. Whilst most recruitment for this clinic is completed internally, external recruitment can also occur where needed: keep an eye out on our website. Past paralegal experience is preferred. 

Family law/ Family violence team: Office to court program: This program has recently launched giving law students the opportunity to volunteer with our specialist family violence team starting at our Reservoir office. The purpose of the Reservoir office role is to support the SFV intake team. At Reservoir office volunteers will be completing remote intakes, that is contacting clients prior to there court date via phone, opening a file for them on our system, and colleting the relevant information so that there file is ready to go for the duty lawyer. Contingent upon demand, volunteers may apply to volunteer at the Heidelberg Magistrates court. If successful, volunteers will be completing day of hearing intakes, which will require volunteers to speak with clients face to face, and assisting the admin team with other duties to support the duty lawyer service as required.

Generalist & Integrated Services Team: Reservoir generalist service, Women’s integrated legal outreach (WILO) & St Vincents: Paralegal positions only, working alongside our lawyers.

Crime outreach & generalist service: Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Drug Outreach: Paralegal positions only, working alongside our lawyers.

Social Advocacy & Public Interest: Women's work without barriers, prison advocacy program, Voices for change, Auspice and advocacy in priority areas (harm reduction, gendered injustice, decarceration custodial rights, social determinants of health): Paralegal positions only, working alongside our lawyers and staff.

Short term placements (PLT or pro bono) – More info to come in 2024.

Work experience: Unfortunately we do not accept placements for high school students.