Job/volunteer opportunities - Canberra Community Law

CCL offers rewarding job opportunities and attractive employment conditions including salary packaging together with flexible and family friendly work practices.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.

Job opportunities

Canberra Community Law is Recruiting

Litigation Solicitor

We are looking for a Litigation Solicitor to join our ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) Duty Lawyer service. This position would ideally suit a Graduate or Junior solicitor. Please download the PDF for more detail about Canberra Community Law, the position, and our employment conditions.

Applications close – Monday 13 January 2025.

Client Services and Intake Officer

We are looking for a Client Services and Intake Office to join our team. This position provides high quality client intake and administrative services to CCL’s staff and clients. Please download the PDF for more detail about CCL, the position and our employment conditions.

Applications close on Monday 27 January 2025.

Street Law Solicitor

We are looking for a solicitor to join our Street Law team. Street Law is a generalist outreach legal service for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Please download the PDF for more detail about Canberra Community Law, the position and our employment conditions.

Applications close – Monday 20 January 2025

Contact for Position Enquiries – Genevieve Bolton, Executive Director/Principal Solicitor, (02) 6218 7922 or via email at gbolton@canberracommunitylaw.org.au

Volunteer Opportunities

Canberra Community Law Volunteer Paralegal Program

Canberra Community Law has a volunteer paralegal program open to students who are interested in contributing to the work undertaken by the centre. The volunteer paralegal program provides an opportunity for law students to:

contribute to the day-to-day operations of Canberra Community Law through practical support
apply and enhance their skills in a client-facing setting
receive supervision and mentorship from the Canberra Community Law administration team
access Canberra Community Law’s internal professional development program

Paralegals are required to commit to a minimum of one half-day per week, in-person, for a minimum of one semester (or equivalent duration). After this period, paralegals may apply to work under the direct supervision of a Canberra Community Law solicitor to complete legal work.

Key paralegal duties include:

Completing client intake processes
Client data entry
Working with other organisations to facilitate referrals
Answering phone calls
Other administrative tasks to assist with the day-to-day operation of the centre.

Application process and selection criteria
To apply for the Canberra Community Law Volunteer Paralegal Program, please email your application to info@canberracommunitylaw.org.au.

To be considered for the program, you must include the following in your application.

Demonstrate how you meet the following selection criteria in your cover letter.

Essential criteria

Administrative and organisational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to think critically and problem-solve
An interest in social justice

Desirable criteria

Experience working with clients including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Experience working in a legal and/or community service environment
Experience in reception/administration
Experience in customer service

Include the following information in your résumé or attached documents.

Current year, degree, and institution
Current Working With Vulnerable People card or application (if available). Please note: successful applicants will require a WWVP card prior to interacting with clients. It is recommended that applicants without one apply as soon as possible, as there have been significant delays in processing these.

If you progress to the interview stage we will require two referees, including your current or most recent work supervisor.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that applications that do not address all selection criteria and provide the requested documentation will not be considered.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Carroll at info@canberracommunitylaw.org.au.

Night Time Legal Advice Service

Our volunteer team is currently at capacity.

The Night Time Legal Advice Service (NTLAS) runs every Tuesday night from 6pm to 8pm all year (except December and January). NTLAS is supervised by a solicitor employed by Canberra Community Law, provided by a committed group of volunteer solicitors and law students.

Volunteers contribute to NTLAS’ work in two main areas:

Taking client instructions and providing advice; and
Undertaking research.

To find out more about the Night Time Legal Advice Service click here

Before volunteering for the service, every volunteer must participate in an induction session at Canberra Community Law.

Other Opportunities

If you would like more information about volunteering opportunities at other Community Legal Centres in the ACT you can go to the Community Legal Centres Australia’s website at https://clcs.org.au/legal-help/.

Canberra Community Law

Pro Bono Work
There are a range of pro bono opportunities to assist Canberra Community Law and our clients. We welcome the support of barristers and law firms. Please contact us to discuss your interests and the needs of our clients.
Secondments
Canberra Community Law welcomes the opportunity to host staff on secondment and has experience in arrangements with law firms to host solicitors under agreement. Please contact us to discuss secondment opportunities.
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice Placements
Canberra Community Law can host Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) students on a limited basis. If you are interested in undertaking a GDLP placement with Canberra Community Law please email a copy of your CV and details of your placement preferences (number of total placement days and days per week that you are available) to info@canberracommunitylaw.org.au. Your name will be placed on a waiting list for our next induction session. Due to the number of applications received, Canberra Community Law will only be in contact with you if you are selected to participate.