Volunteer with WLS NSW

“Volunteering at Women’s Legal Service NSW has been an incredibly valuable and varied experience that has opened my eyes to the broad range of gendered legal issues affecting women across NSW”. Belinda, PLT student.

Women’s Legal Service (WLS) has a proud 30+ year history of providing free legal services to women across NSW.  WLS brings a feminist philosophy to its work which includes a deep understanding of the gendered nature of violence against women and the value of accessible information and advice about the law to empower women to make safe choices about their legal options.
WLS NSW offers opportunities for students and lawyers to volunteer.

WLS Evening Telephone Advice

WLS is seeking women lawyers to volunteer for our Tuesday evening telephone advice service. This service eases the current high levels of demand on our day-time services for advice and provides an alternative for women who cannot access our service during business hours.

Volunteer women lawyers provide telephone advice by appointment from a city-based location.  Our volunteers are experienced lawyers and trained, supported and supervised by WLS. All volunteers participate in an induction and training program and seminars and training is offered to volunteers through the year.

When?

  • Tuesday nights 6.00 – 8.00pm
  • Volunteers required from 5.50pm – 8.30pm
  • Recommencing 4 May 2021.

How often?

Weekly, fortnightly or monthly – it’s up to volunteers to say how often they can commit (but not less often than monthly).

We ask volunteers to make a realistic assessment of how often they can volunteer since consistency and reliability is valuable.

Where?

Offices of Collin Biggers & Paisley – Level 42, 2 Park Street Sydney. Provided as part of CBP’s commitment to pro bono support for WLS.

Appointment times

Clients will be offered a call back any time between 6pm – 8pm.

Selection criteria for volunteer lawyers (evening advice service)

  • Hold a current practising certificate.
  • At least 12 months post admission experience and currently practising in family law and / or discrimination in employment.
  • Understanding of the gendered nature of violence against women and the nature, dynamics and impacts of domestic and family violence.
  • Understanding of social justice issues for women, particularly those experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantage and lack of access to legal services.
  • High-level written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to commit to Tuesday evenings 5.50-8:30pm at least once per month (please nominate weekly, fortnightly, monthly preference).
  • Names of 2 referees.

WLS considers being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for volunteer positions under s. 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

Apply to volunteer

If you are a qualified woman lawyer interested in volunteering for the WLS evening advice service, please forward a copy of your resume and a brief statement (no more than one page in total) addressing the selection criteria to:

Principal Solicitor by email to
reception@wlsnsw.org.au

 

Student volunteer placements with WLS NSW

WLS NSW offers opportunities for students to volunteer. Applicants will usually:

  • Be undertaking Practical Legal Training; or
  • Have completed at least two years of a law or other relevant qualification, or
  • Be undertaking a ‘practicing in the public interest’ or similar course.

If you wish to be considered for a volunteer placement at WLS NSW please apply in writing addressing the selection criteria (see below) and attaching your resume.

Selection criteria for Practical Legal Training placement

  1. Eligible to complete practical legal training.
  2. Willingness to commit to working a minimum  of two days per week for at least six months.
  3. Understanding of social justice issues for women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and those experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantage and lack of access to legal services.
  4. Understanding of cross cultural issues for women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or family break down.
  5. Understanding of areas of law relevant to the work of Women’s Legal Service NSW, including domestic violence, sexual assault, family law and discrimination.
  6. High level oral and written communication skills.
  7. Ability to work in an electronic environment including the use of word processing, email and web browsing tools.

Applications can be addressed to:
Executive Officer, Women’s Legal Service NSW
reception@wlsnsw.org.au

Selection criteria for other applicants:

  1. Understanding of social justice issues for women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and those experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantage and lack of access to legal services.
  2. Understanding of cross cultural issues for women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or family break down.
  3. Understanding of areas of law relevant to the work of Women’s Legal Service NSW, including domestic violence, sexual assault, family law and discrimination.
  4. High level oral and written communication skills.
  5. Ability to work in an electronic environment including the use of word processing, email and web browsing tools.

Please forward a copy of your resume to:

Executive Officer, Women’s Legal Service NSW
reception@wlsnsw.org.au

Thank you for your interest in Women’s Legal Service NSW.

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