Women's Legal Service NSW

Women's Legal Service NSW About

For more than 30 years, Women’s Legal Service NSW (WLS NSW) has pioneered new ways of helping women to access the law.

WLS NSW is an independent non-profit organisation which provides a voice for women in NSW, and promotes access to justice, particularly for women who are disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances. Applicants must also have an understanding of areas of law relevant to the work of Women’s Legal Service NSW, including domestic violence, sexual assault, family law and discrimination.

From a feminist perspective, WLS NSW fosters legal and social change to redress the inequalities that women experience. You can find more information here: https://www.wlsnsw.org.au/about-us/volunteer-withwls-nsw/#students

The organisation has about 20-25 staff at any one time, including solicitors, law reform and community education co-ordinators, project workers and administrative staff. Graduate Opportunities WLS provides Practical Legal Training (PLT) placements to graduates.

What kind of work? Areas of law: - Domestic and family violence - Family law - Sexual assault - Victims support PLT students assist clients by obtaining and lodging recognition payments with Victims Services, obtaining Parenting Orders with the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, drafting and lodging breach of summary complaints, participating in conferences, and contributing to policy reform. - Human rights - Care and protection - Discrimination and employment You can find more information here: https://www.wlsnsw.org.au/about-us/volunteer-withwls-nsw/#students Type of work done by employees: - Legal advice - Outreach services - Casework and advocacy - Education and training - Community legal education Fun Fact / Recent Project First Nations Women's Legal Program WLS run the First Nations Women’s Legal Program, which aims to to provide services that best meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The program was developed in 1995, in consultation Location with Aboriginal women. Sydney The First Nations Women’s Legal Program is staffed by Student Opportunities WLS provides volunteering opportunities for students who have completed at least two years of their law degree. Aboriginal women and offers free services including: - Free legal advice via the First Nations Women’s Legal Contact Line - Assistance in finding a lawyer Applicants must have an 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 - Training and community workshops across NSW - Resources and information about the law - Face-to-face advice from solicitors through FNWLP Outreach Clinics. services.