Law Student Volunteer Program
What volunteer opportunities are available to law students?
- Ongoing volunteering: one full day per week during the university semester
- Winter Internships: three week block during the winter break (June to August)
- Summer Internships: three week block during the summer break (November to February)
- Student Placements: one day per week for 8-12 weeks as part of a subject at a member university law school, usually undertaken during the university semester while undertaking the subject. The University of Melbourne Law School and La Trobe University School of Law currently participate in this program.
- Fellowships: three week block as an extension of a clerkship undertaken at a member firm. This is a paid placement at PILCH that is usually undertaken during the summer or winter internship period. Allens Arthur Robinson, Clayton Utz and Minter Ellison currently participate in this program.
What does volunteering at PILCH involve?
Volunteers play a pivotal role as the front-line contact for members of the public seeking pro bono legal assistance from PILCH, taking instructions from clients and working with lawyers in the office to determine how PILCH may be able to assist. Volunteers may be involved in many other aspects of the day-to-day work at PILCH, such as assisting with the review of files and matters for referral, preparation of memoranda and briefs, assisting with publications, research, seminars and special events, and observation of the Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic. Please see the Position Description and Selection Criteria for more information.
Who can apply?
Law students in their final or penultimate year of an undergraduate law degree.
How and when do you apply?
We are now accepting applications for 2011 / 2012 summer internships. The application deadline for summer internship applications is November 4 2011. We accept applications for ongoing volunteering and winter and summer internships throughout the year.
2011 / 2012 summer internships will take place over the following periods:
Session 1
21 Nov – 9 Dec 2024
Session 2
12-23 Dec 2011, 2-6 Jan 2012
Session 3
9 – 27 Jan 2025
Session 4
30 Jan – 17 Feb 2025
Please indicate the the internship period and/or the day(s) of the week for ongoing volunteering during the semester for which you are available clearly on your application! If you have any questions, please contact T.J. Riddell, Volunteer Coordinator at 8636 4411 or [email protected].