Practical Legal Training Placement at PILCH
We regularly have positions available for Practical Legal Training (PLT) students in both our Melbourne and Sydney offices. These are unpaid positions.
PLT students receive on the job legal training and supervision. Responsibilities include taking instructions from clients (individuals and not-for-profit organisations), assessing matters for referral, legal research, drafting letters, memorandums and briefs, referring matters to lawyers acting pro bono, and follow-up on referred matters. Students are exposed to a broad range of legal sector participants. There are some limited opportunities to provide legal advice and to conduct substantive casework. You may also assist in policy and law reform work.
Please note that the areas of law covered in a PLT placement vary between our Melbourne and Sydney offices.
Melbourne office - positions available
Our Melbourne office is currently recruiting PLT students to work with PilchConnect - our specialist legal service for not-for-profit organisations.
PLT students within PilchConnect will have the opportunity to participate in:
- Intake of new PilchConnect inquires, including initial client interview and assessment
- Legal research and drafting for PilchConnect's Advice Service
- Assistance in the preparation of legal information materials for the PilchConnect webportal
PLT students may also have the opportunity to attend and participate in PilchConnect's seminar series and training for not-for-profit organisations, and to assist PilchConnect lawyers with law reform and policy work.
Further information about PilchConnect is available here.
Applications will be assessed on a demonstrated interest in and commitment to not-for-profit organisations and the community sector.
The PILCH Melbourne office is located in the Melbourne CBD. This is an unpaid position.
You must:
- Have completed a law degre
- Have completed, or be currently completing, professional legal education to gain admission to practice (ie. through College of Law or equivalent institution)
- Be able to work at least three days a week
- Undertake a minimum of 50 days of practical legal training at PILCH
Please apply on-line here. Contact Benjamin Golby on (03) 8636 4448 or Benjamin.Golby@pilch.org.au for further information.
Applications close at 9am on Monday, 5 August 2024.
Sydney office - positions available
Our Sydney office is seeking multiple dedicated people to join its team of committed social justice lawyers as a PLT student.
As a PLT at PILCH in Sydney you will receive legal training and, under supervision, will have carriage of files. Responsibilities include taking instructions from clients (individuals and not-for-profit organisations), assessing matters for referral, research, referring matters to PILCH members, drafting letters, memorandums and briefs, and following up on referred matters.
You will also contribute to PILCH's current and emerging projects such as MOSAIC, a specialist legal service that provides free legal advice and information to recently arrived migrants.
You will have had previous volunteer experience, be able to demonstrate a commitment to human rights and social justice, an understanding of the issues that affect vulnerable, disadvantaged or marginalised groups, excellent research skills, and a capacity to problem-solve. You will also have the ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders in a confident and respectful manner, as well as have initiative and a sense of humour.
The PILCH Sydney office is located in the Sydney CBD. This is an unpaid position.
You must:
- Have completed a law degree
- Have completed or be currently completing professional legal education to gain admission to practice (through College of Law or equivalent institution)
- Be able to work at least three days a week (including a compulsory requirement of Wednesdays)
- Undertake a minimum of 55 days of practical legal training at PILCH.
Please apply on-line here. Contact Heather Suttor on (02) 9114 1793 or Heather.Suttor@pilch.org.au for further information.
Applications close at 9 am on Monday, 5 August 2013.
"PILCH provides a unique perspective on legal practice. It is the link between the private legal sector and marginalised and disadvantaged individuals, and the community organisations that assist these individuals. I am gaining insight into many areas of law, and different ways to provide access to justice. This includes the provision of legal information and training, direct provision of advice over the phone and through clinic models, referrals to law firms and barristers and, importantly, advocacy and law reform work.
I have also had wonderful supervision - considerate, inclusive and achieving the right balance between providing some challenging work and a supportive introduction to being a lawyer."
- Tarni Perkal, PLT student at PILCH 2012