Lawyers for Animals
Last Updated in 2016
Field of Law
Stage of Career
Secondary; Practising lawyers (volunteer only)
Contact Details
Address: Lawyers for Animals, Ross House (mailbox only), 247-251 Flinders Lane, MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Phone: 0423 659 042
Website: www.lawyersforanimals.org.au
Contact person: President, Nichola Donovan
Email: enquiries@lawyersforanimals.org.au
Description of organisation
Lawyers for Animals is a volunteer-based organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of animals through education and law. Classed as property, animals have no legal voice: they need lawyers to advocate for them. Lawyers for Animals’ activities include: communicating with politicians and making submissions on Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and other laws and policies affecting animals; assisting other animal welfare groups with their work; developing educational materials; publishing articles; and promoting awareness of animal suffering through public-speaking and other events (e.g. during Victorian Law Week).
In conjunction with Fitzroy Legal Service, since April 2013 LFA has been running a weekly Animal Law Clinic, staffed by legal and administrative volunteers.
Number of legal positions within organisation: No paid positions – all Executive are volunteering lawyers.
Does your organisation have a human rights officer?
No, responsibility for all animal (including human) rights is shared between our Executive.
Information for secondary schools
Do you have work experience placements for secondary school students?
No
Do you host school trips or send speakers to schools?
Yes, we happily provide public speakers when able, but cannot host school groups, except at our public events.
Contact person for school trip and/or speakers: Nichola Donovan: enquiries@lawyersforanimals.org.au
Any other opportunities for secondary students?
See 'Events' tab on our website for current public events that are planned.
Information for university students/graduates
Do you have a graduate clerkship program?
No
What are they looking for in a graduate?
Commitment and reliability, diligence, patience, appreciation of animals.
What electives/areas of study are viewed favourably?
Study of animal law is an advantage, but not essential. An Animal Law unit is available at Monash University and sometimes at the University of Melbourne.
What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?
All volunteering, particularly showing commitment to basic animal rights
What sort of volunteer opportunities are available?
Students and graduates are welcome to become members of Lawyers for Animals; to volunteer as administrative assistants at our Animal Law Clinic, or in our policy and educational work; attend events and generally support our work.
Contact person for volunteers: Jessica Phillips, Volunteer Co-ordinator: volunteeringg@lawyersforanimals.org.au
Information for practising lawyers
Lawyers with current unrestricted practising certificates are welcome to volunteer as advisors at our Animal Law Clinic, those with restricted practising certificates first need to serve as administrative volunteers for a period determined by Fitzroy Legal Service. All lawyers are eligible to join the Lawyers for Animals Executive.
On average, how many positions become available per year?
We do not have any paid positions, at present.