Tania Wolff: A position of trust
50 Years / 50 Voices: Learning law and changing lives is a commemorative volume marking the 50th anniversary of the ongoing Monash Law Clinical Program, a pioneering initiative in clinical legal education undertaken by the Faculty of Law at Monash University. 50 alumni of the Monash Law Clinical Program shared their story with 50 current students of the same program. This is an excerpt from the book.
Tania Wolff’s legal career has been defined by change, an eagerness to learn and an unwavering commitment to access to justice.
Before starting the Professional Practice unit at Springvale Legal Service, Wolff stated that ‘the practice of law seemed remote, the ultimate client seemed remote.’
Working with clients at the clinic gave her firsthand exposure to the kind of legal work she hadn’t imagined, showing her how her skills and knowledge could genuinely help people manage problems that caused them stress and financial strain. That practical experience was what made her truly understand the value of being a lawyer. ‘It was a different way of practising law,’ she says.
Wolff’s early career saw her pursue a range of opportunities, such as teaching English in Korea, working as a recruiter, tutoring and lecturing at university, and pursuing commercial in-house counsel roles which took her overseas.
A move back home to Australia saw Wolff move into criminal law. This came from a desire to work for causes with a clear social purpose and a desire to advocate for society’s most ‘vulnerable and disenfranchised’. Wolff came to recognise that a significant proportion of individuals who enter the criminal justice system are victims themselves, most of whom have experienced trauma and adversity. Her role as director of First Step Legal, an innovative community legal centre that integrates legal practice into health, mental health, addiction and housing service settings, is one of her proudest accomplishments. Since 2012, Wolff has worked tirelessly at First Step Legal to provide legal access to clients with ongoing mental health issues and substance disorders, which often intersect with multifaceted, complex legal challenges.
Read more about 50 years of Monash Law Clinics and buy 50 Years / 50 Voices here
Following the success of an initial health justice partnership within First Step, Wolff and a number of colleagues broadened First Step Legal to include six different health justice partnerships with Launch Housing, which provides transitional housing and crisis accommodation; Windana Therapeutic Community, a residential rehabilitation for alcohol and drugs; St Kilda Road Clinic; Meli; Anglicare; and the Better Health Network, where treating professionals can refer clients to First Step Legal for legal assistance. For Wolff, it is the ‘amount of people that we’ve been able to touch and help improve their lives’ that has been the most rewarding.
Wolff held a three-year term as President of the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) from 2021 to 2023, taking over in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when the law and courts were under tremendous strain. It was a difficult time, however Wolff did not shy away from the challenges and changes she hoped to institute. She believes that when things are the hardest, ‘that’s where the pleasure is, the satisfaction that comes afterwards because you’ve accomplished something you’re proud of.’ Wolff remains an LIV director.
Wolff also serves as a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) member and a legal member of the Mental Health Tribunal. For Wolff, her role as a tribunal decision-maker starts with communication. She facilitates and encourages parties to come together to negotiate and ‘allow the parties to have some agency of their decision’. While not every party is satisfied with the outcome, Wolff finds that most gain peace of mind simply through the clarity and closure a decision provides.
Wolff’s advice for aspiring lawyers is clear: ‘Do the work.’ It may sound simple, but for her it’s foundational. ‘While it may just be another case to you, for that individual the matter holds immense significance,’ she says.
Wolff believes lawyers take on the responsibility for another human being and their individual issue, which puts the lawyer in an ‘extraordinary position of trust’. The privilege of helping others through the legal system must be met with diligence and commitment. ‘It’s a privilege, but it’s also a responsibility,’ Wolff says.
Read more about 50 years of Monash Law Clinics and buy 50 Years / 50 Voices here
Get involved with Monash Law Clinics
Monash Law Clinics combine legal education with real-world impact, supporting access to justice while equipping students with practical, ethical and professional skills.
If you are a student interested in undertaking a clinical unit as part of your studies, explore the available clinical placements and elective options.
Whether you’re an alum, practitioner or organisation keen to support the clinics through hosting placements, partnerships, volunteering or funding, there’s a way to be involved. To learn more, contact Emily Collard, Industry & Alumni Engagement Manager, at emily.collard@monash.edu.