Public Interest Law Careers Guide - St Kilda Legal Service
Field of Law
Stage of Career
Secondary students; Undergraduates; Graduate; Practising lawyer
Contact Details
Address: 161 Chapel Street, St Kilda
Phone: 9534 0777
Visit the St Kilda Legal Service WebsiteContact person: Anthea Teakle
Email: st_kilda_vic@clc.net.au
Description of Organisation
The St Kilda Legal Service provides free legal assistance to residents in the cities of Port Philip, Stonnington and Bayside. They provides a generalist legal assistance that runs day and night services. The service also operates two specialist programs: the Drug Outreach Program and the Family Violence Program.
Does your organisation have a human rights officer?
1 community legal education / law reform officer
Information for secondary schools
Limited
Do you have work experience placements for secondary school students?
1 - 2 a year
Contact person for work experience placements: Athea Teakle
Do you host school trips or send speakers to schools?
By arrangement
Contact person for school trip and/or speakers: Suzan Genday
Information for university students/graduates
Do you have a graduate clerkship program? (involving practical legal training and admission to practise)
No formalised process but accommodates for university placements. Prioritise post-graduates and PLT students.
What are you looking for in a graduate?
Lives locally and has a genuine interest in community legal centres
What electives/areas of study are viewed favourably?
- Family law
- Criminal law
- Human Rights Law
What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?
Previous work in a law offices with good administration skills and/or other community legal centres or community organisation
How does one apply:
Anthea Teakle, preferably contact by email
Dates for application:
Throughout the year
Do you require your applicants to be recent law graduates? If so, how recent?
Yes, fairly recent
Interview process:
Contacting Anthea Teakle, vet though managing lawyers
What sort of volunteer/internship opportunities are available?
Approximately 20. Preference is given to people who live in area and are at the latter part of their law degree.
Contact person for volunteers:
Anthea Teakle, please note that many people apply throughout the year.
Information for practising lawyers
What are you looking for in a permanent employee?
Someone who is committed to social justice and community legal centre work. It will depend on the position and the key selection criteria. Preferably have prior experience and works well in a small team.
What prior work is viewed favourably?
Paid and/or volunteer work at a community legal centre or experience in private practice. Work at a non-governmental organisation is also viewed favourably.
On average, how many positions become available per year?
Approximately 1 but varies each year
Where do you advertise your positions?
St Kilda Legal Service website, Federation of Community Legal Centres, Ethical Jobs, Seek.com
Do you use a recruitment agency?
No
Advice for applicants:
Read the position description and key selection criteria for each position.
