Circle Green Community Legal

www.circlegreen.org.au administration@circlegreen.org.au

Circle Green is an independent, not-for-profit community legal centre providing statewide specialist legal services in residential tenancy law, employment law, migration and family and domestic violence (related to newly arrived refugees, migrants and asylum seekers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds). We provide legal advice, further assistance, representation, duty lawyer services, outreach, community legal education, and advocacy.

Volunteering

Which areas of law will clerks be exposed to? Clerks will either focus on one aspect of our service (see above) or may be exposed to multiple aspects of our service.

What kind of tasks do student volunteers undertake? Volunteering may involve a variety of tasks, including: •Assisting with client intake and interview over the telephone. •Arranging appropriate assistance for eligible clients by way of the telephone, or inhouse solicitor appointments. •Referring clients to specialist legal, government and community services, as appropriate. •Undertaking research and drafting materials in relation to a wide range of employment, tenancy, or migration law issues. •Assisting solicitors with client appointments. •Assisting Circle Green

Community Legal staff with elements of legal file management. •Assisting solicitors, staff and volunteers with other duties as required. What are the skills/benefits of taking a position at your CLC? Volunteers will be given the opportunity to directly add value to clients and holistically to our service; they will learn what it is like to work in a large multidisciplinary community legal centre; and they will learn skills that will benefit them in future career opportunities. Do you have opportunities for courtroom work/advocacy? Volunteers may be given the opportunity to participate in law reform (advocacy). However, more generally they will not be provided the opportunity to undertake courtroom work (except for limited opportunities to witness courtroom work).

Do you offer any opportunities to do PLT? Yes, through the College of Law and The Piddington Society.

Applications

How can students apply? Via our website: circlegreen. org.au/volunteer or email administration@circlegreen.org. au with your resume, academic transcript and a cover letter. The recruitment consists of a written application, an interview and sometimes a practical task. How many positions are available in 2022? I5 - 20. What attributes do you look for in an applicant? •A desire and care to contribute to the sector and our clients. •Skilled in written and verbal communication, being able to effectively communicate with solicitors and clients. •Good time management and able to complete quality written work in tight timeframes. •Good computer skills (quick word processing skills). •Strong legal research skills. What advice do you have for students looking to apply? Carefully consider why you are applying and your interest in the various services Circle Green may offer individual clients. Where you apply and respond to an advertised role, make sure you answer the selection criteria and tailor your application to Circle Green.