about us

Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC) is a place based community agency that strives for the empowerment of individuals and groups within the local community who face disadvantage, isolation and obstacles to effective social and economic participation. The agency is committed to developing responsive approaches to meet the challenges posed by Whittlesea's changing and emerging communities. We have a clear role in advocating to both services and different levels of government through both direct service and policy input. Our services and programs are free, confidential and impartial. We have broad range of integrated services including legal, social work, community information, community transport, settlement support, volunteer resources, community engagement, and strong partnerships with mental health, housing and family violence specialists.

about the role

The Trainee Lawyer position is an opportunity to build experience and contribute to the provision of legal assistance provided by WCC. The successful candidate will assist lawyers in providing advice, casework, advocacy and community legal education to clients. This position is a full time fixed contract position for twelve (12) months that will permit the Trainee Lawyer to satisfy their practical requirements for admission to the Council of Legal Education Board of Examiners.

The Trainee Lawyer will assist with the provision of legal information, advice, casework, advocacy and referral services for clients, presenting with diverse legal matters ranging from fines, consumer issues and criminal matters to family law and family violence issues, victims of crime applications and intervention order matters. The Trainee Lawyer will develop links within WCC and with relevant external support agencies to assist with the varied and complex issues of clients and assist with the creation, preparation and delivery of community legal education activities and workshops.

Like all WCC employees, the Trainee Lawyer is expected to participate in the life of the organisation, promote the objectives of WCC and adhere to articulated values, policies and procedures

Eligibility

• Law graduates who are currently undertaking PLT (but are not yet admitted to practice) are eligible to apply. We kindly ask to you please provide details of your PLT program including commencement and end date and to identify the number of days per week that you are required to attend PLT during work hours;
• You must be legally entitled to work in Australia to apply;
• You cannot apply if you are already admitted to practice.

If you would like to discuss this position please email Tanya at [email protected], using the subject line: Trainee Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.