Volunteer Roles

Last updated 21/12/2024

Paralegal — The Racial Justice Centre

The Racial Justice Centre (RJC) is Australian first community legal service focussed on race. We are an integrated organisation dedicated to eliminating racial discrimination in all forms, providing redress for those subject to discrimination. We are committed to using strategic litigation as a vehicle for pursuing and elevating the need for racial justice in the public domain, we are involved in thought leadership and community building.

Are you passionate about justice and empowering marginalised voices? Do you believe that everyone deserves equal access to the legal system and the most basic rights to life, work and thrive individually and collectively? Are you tired of hearing discrimination swept under the rug by the media, government, workplaces and institutions? From those with a newly formed interest to those deeply invested in eradicating racial discrimination, we invite you to join our team at RJC.

We are seeking legal and non-legal volunteers to work alongside and support a dynamic team of lawyers, subject matter experts in anti-discrimination law as well as like-minded university students and many professional volunteers in people, operations and marketing. Your efforts in assisting with legal research, drafting documents, law reform submissions, grant writing and supporting clients to assert their rights, directly contributing to fighting for racial justice in our community.

The successful candidate must be available for an immediate start. This role presents the opportunity to work directly with the Solicitors and with many other volunteers to gain invaluable practical experience in human rights law and building a social justice movement.

Before applying, please ensure you meet the below essential criteria: studying at university, minimum WAM of 75%; able to commit to 7-8 hours per week (one full day or two half days) in Sydney close to the CBD; excellent written and verbal communication skills; highly independent and proactive; a genuine passion for racial justice and racial equality. Please note that extracurricular involvement and prior experience in a legal setting are not required but favourable.

If interested, please email your CV & Academic Transcript to info@racialjustice.au

UN Human Rights Interns (Geneva) — United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism

Interns are sought at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva to primarily assist Professor Ben Saul as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism (see https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-terrorism). Two Sydney Law students have already successfully completed internships. Interns are supervised daily by the Special Rapporteur's full-time staff in Geneva and the Special Rapporteur. The work is challenging and diverse and involves monitoring 193 states and 46 United Nations entities for compliance with human rights while countering terrorism, including through assessing individual complaints of violations, reviewing national legislation, research for annual thematic reports to the General Assembly and Human Rights Council, research for official country visits, attending briefings and meetings, drafting speeches and media releases, and diplomatic engagement. Internships are unpaid but Sydney Law School is likely to fund a return economy airfare. Some work will also be undertaken for other thematic special rapporteurs. More information about the internship program in general is here: https://www.ohchr.org/en/work-and-study-opportunities/internships

Applicants to the United Nations internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); or,

(b) Be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent).

Start Date: 1/01/2025

Rate of Pay: Unpaid. Return economy airfare may be paid by Sydney Law School

Duration/Employment Type: Full-time. Ideally 6 months. 3 months also considered.

How to Apply: Initially - email ben.saul@sydney.edu.au with CV & uni transcript

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: Email ben.saul@sydney.edu.au

Online Internship — PW Lawyers

The PW Lawyers online internship program offers law students the opportunity to gain practical legal experience from their own location. The internship program uses a variety of digital tools to allow interns the ability to learn and be mentored by the experienced team at PW Lawyers. Our team of lawyers will provide guidance and support throughout the internship.

Interns will have the opportunity to learn legal skills, build professional connections and enhance their job prospects. It will give law students an opportunity to gain practical experience in a legal environment. Our internship aims to enhance students’ understanding of legal practice, develop professional skills and be exposed to different areas of law.

All interns will undertake an online orientation session where they will be introduced to PW Lawyers and provided with information about how the online internship will operate. The internship will cover:

  • An introduction to working in a law firm (1- 15 days)

  • An introduction into legal research, note taking and advising clients (15-30 days)

  • An introduction to drafting and preparing documents (30 – 45 days)

  • Preparation for legal practice (45 – 60 days)

  • A study into the legal area of choice (60-75 days).

To be eligible for the PW Lawyers online internship program you must be:

  • Enrolled in a recognised law program (LLB, LPAB Diploma of Law or JD).

  • Have completed a minimum of two years of the law program.

  • Have an interest in legal practice.

Start Date: 4/02/2025

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Duration of Internship: All interns must complete a minimum of 15 working days to be deemed as completing the internship. Extended programmes are offered for interns who wish to complete more working days.

How to Apply: Law students can send a resumé and cover letter to the practice manager at PW Lawyers via email at admin@pwlawyers.com.au. Students will also be asked to provide their academic transcript, photo identification and contact details for someone who has known them for an extended period of time.

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: For more information, please contact PW Lawyers on (02) 9415 8192 or admin@pwlawyers.com.au.