Fitzroy Legal Service
Field of Law
Stage of Career
Secondary; Undergraduates: Graduates; Practising Lawyers
Contact details
Offices:
Fitzroy Town Hall, Level 4 (access via the laneway and courtyard behind the Fitzroy Library, 126 Moor Street, Fitzroy).
PO Box 297, Fitzroy 3065
Phone: (03) 9419 3744
279 Spring Street, Reservoir 3073
Phone: (03) 9484 7753
Neighbourhood Justice Centre, 241 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 3046
Web: www.fitzroy-legal.org.au
Contact person: Brendan Kelly, Finance & Operations Manager
Email: bkelly@fls.org.au
Description of Organisation or department within organisation
The Fitzroy Legal Service Inc. is a merger of the Darebin Community Legal Centre and Fitzroy Legal Service.
Fitzroy Legal Service is a community-based organisation, independent of government, dedicated to assisting marginalised and vulnerable members of the community with legal information, advice and representation, as well as championing law reform and conducting public interest litigation. Our services are offered across the Cities of Darebin and Yarra, and the inner north of Melbourne.
Number of legal positions within organisation: We employ approximately 20 lawyers
Information for secondary schools
Do you have work experience placements for secondary school students?
We are able to take 1-2 work experience students each year
Contact person for work experience placements
Volunteer Coordinator Anna Caleo, email at acaleo@fls.org.au
Do you host school trips or send speakers to schools?
We are happy to consider these requests on a case by case basis.
Contact person for school trip and/or speakers
Volunteer Coordinator Anna Caleo, email at acaleo@fls.org.au
Information for university students/graduates
Do you have a graduate clerkship program? (involving practical legal training and admission to practise)
We employ a Trainee Lawyer, funded by Allens
What are you looking for in a graduate?
Qualifications/skills required
Prerequisite
- Tertiary qualification in Law at the time of commencement of the position;
Essential
- Commitment to social justice and human rights and a strong interest in developing a career in the CLC sector;
- Strong academic record, particularly in areas of law relevant to CLC work;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Willingness and ability to communicate empathetically with a variety of clients, including those with cognitive impairment or language barriers, people from diverse backgrounds, people with alcohol or other drug dependence, and people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness;
- Excellent analytical skills including the ability to effectively apply the law to different fact situations;
- High degree of initiative and resourcefulness;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team; and
- Prior experience volunteering or working in a CLC or similar organisation highly desirable
What prior workat electives/areas of study are viewed favourably?
Areas of law relevant to CLC work, human rights and social justice.
What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?
Prior experience volunteering or working in a CLC or similar organisation is highly desirable.
How many graduates do you take a year?
One
How does one apply
Candidates must email Fitzroy Legal Service the following as one PDF document:
- A covering letter, no longer than one page;
- A document which addresses the key selection criteria set out above;
- A resume which includes your contact details, education, previous work and volunteer experience; and
- A copy of your academic transcript (if you are selected for interview you will be required to submit a certified copy of your transcript).
Dates for application
Applications are usually open in July of each year.
Do you require your applicants to be recent law graduates? If so, how recent?
Law students who commenced their final semester of their law degree are eligible to apply. Students who have recently graduated from law but who have not been admitted to practice may also apply.
Interview process
Interviews are usually held within a month of the closing date for applications.
How many law graduates do you employ outside your graduate program, and what sort of roles do they fill?
None
Do you have a minimum Grade Point Average standard for an applicant’s academic record?
No
What sort of volunteer/internship opportunities are available?
Volunteers work for us in one or more of the following ways:
- week-day evening drop-in service: lawyers, law graduates and law students who provide legal services covering a very wide range of clients and issues,
- day practice: lawyers, law graduates and final-year law students who assist our paid staff with their work , and
- other work including administrative assistance, legal and social science policy research.
We are also involved in some internship programs.
Contact person for volunteers: Volunteer Coordinator Anna Caleo, email acaleo@fls.org.au
Information for practising lawyers
What are you looking for in a permanent employee?
Skills and experience relevant to the position and values aligned with FLS values.
What prior work is viewed favourably?
Depends on the role – for legal positions, prior experience working in a CLC or similar organisation.
On average, how many positions become available per year?
1-2
How many applications do you receive for these?
Usually quite a few, 50-60
Where do you advertise your positions?
We usually advertise on ethical jobs, as well as promoting via social-media channels.
Do you use a recruitment agency?
No
