Justice Connect
Field of Law
Stage of Career
Secondary; Undergraduates; Graduates; Practising Lawyers
Contact details
Address: 17/461 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 8636 4400
Contact person: Office Manager
Email: admin@justiceconnect.org.au
Description of Organisation
Justice Connect provides access to justice through pro bono legal services to people experiencing disadvantage and the community organisations that support them.
Justice Connect fosters a strong and engaged pro bono culture in Australian lawyers.
Justice Connect challenges unfair laws and policies, using evidence from case work and the stories of clients to bring about change.
Number of legal positions within organisation
Approximately 65 across VIC and NSW (Paid)
Approximately 10 across VIC and NSW (Unpaid - volunteer positions)
Information for secondary schools
Do you have work experience placements for secondary school students?
We do not have a work experience program.
Information for university students/graduates
Do you have a graduate clerkship program? (involving practical legal training and admission to practise)
Justice Connect does not have a graduate clerkship program, though it has positions available for Practical Legal Training (PLT) students to complete their placements in both the Melbourne and Sydney offices. These are unpaid positions.
PLT students receive on the job legal training and supervision. Responsibilities include taking instructions from clients (individuals and not-for-profit organisations), assessing matters for referral, legal research, drafting letters, memorandums and briefs, referring matters to lawyers acting pro bono, and follow-up on referred matters. Students are exposed to a broad range of legal sector participants. There are some limited opportunities to provide legal advice and to conduct substantive casework. Students may also assist in policy and law reform work.
What are you looking for in a graduate?
Enthusiasm and previous, relevant experience or interests
Qualifications/skills required
Law Degree
What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?
Volunteering at not for profits and charitable organisations and in particular, CLC's or other access to justice or human rights organisations.
How many graduates do you take a year?
We recruit graduates on an as needs basis and subject to funding
How does one apply
For PLT opportunities, through the application form on the Justice Connect website.
For graduate and other positions as they are advertised, application information can be found on theJobs at Justice Connect page of Justice Connect’s website
Dates for application
As advertised
Do you require your applicants to be recent law graduates? If so, how recent?
Varies depending on the role
Interview process
Via Zoom or in person
How many law graduates do you employ outside your graduate program, and what sort of roles do they fill?
Senior Lawyer, Legal Administrator
What sort of volunteer/work experience opportunities are available?
We have front desk Legal Receptionist volunteers, PLT (practical legal training) students and all other volunteer positions are advertised on an as needs basis.
Contact person for volunteers: Office Manager
Information for practising lawyers
What are you looking for in a permanent employee?
A commitment to Justice Connect’s vision and values and an interest in social justice.
What prior work is viewed favourably?
Volunteering at not for profits and charitable organisations in particular, community legal centres and other access to justice or human rights organisations. Generally experience in the legal sector.
On average, how many positions become available per year?
Positions become available on an as needs basis and subject to funding but on average, three practising lawyer positions a year.
How many applications do you receive for these?
The number of applications varies but generally a high amount, often in excess of 100
Where do you advertise your positions?
- Justice Connect website
- Ethical Jobs
- Pro Bono Australia
- National Association of CLCs website
- Australian Pro Bono Centre’s Social Justice Opportunities website
- Federation of CLCs website (VIC only)
- NSW Law Society website (NSW only)
Do you use a recruitment agency?
Justice Connect uses a recruitment agency from time to time but it does not advertise and recruit for roles through an agency.
Advice for applicants
Please visit the Jobs at Justice Connect page of Justice Connect’s website Justice Connect website if seeking information on current advertised roles.