The program, a partnership between ARC Justice and Women’s Legal Service Victoria, is open to graduate lawyers with less than 12 months of experience.
It will offer lawyers a position at Shepparton’s Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre while providing specialist training online in Melbourne and in regional areas.
The program represents an opportunity to be mentored by lawyers committed to gender equality and improving access to justice for family violence victim-survivors.
“Everyone deserves to live free from violence, no matter their income or where they live. But right now, too many women experiencing family violence in Victoria are missing out on vital legal support and access to safe, secure housing, both necessary to assist their recovery,” said Women’s Legal Service Victoria’s chief executive officer Claudia Fatone.
“We’re working with community legal centres across metropolitan and regional Victoria so that more lawyers can be there when a person’s relationship breaks down or family violence occurs,” she said.
“Community legal centres are working together to turn this unjust reality around. We can help to secure safe housing, make agreements to safely look after children, split up assets or bank accounts, organise a new visa, and make sure the bills are paid fairly,” Ms Fatone added.
Shellie Cherry, managing lawyer at ARC Justice’s Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre, said the program is ideal for a lawyer passionate about advancing gender equality and enhancing justice accessibility for survivors of family violence.
“This is an excellent opportunity for a new lawyer to get the best of both worlds: developing a purpose-driven career in a beautiful part of country Victoria while building a cohort of peers from across the state,” she said.
Applications are open until 5pm on April 10, and successful applicants are anticipated to start the program in late May.
To find out more about the program and apply, visit: https://womenslegal.org.au/emerging-lawyers-program
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