I currently work as a lawyer with the Not-for-profit Law service at Justice Connect.
I originally studied finance and property valuation and worked in the finance sector for a number of years before returning to university to complete a law degree, which I finished in 2013.
While studying law I completed a placement with a community legal centre assisting refugees and asylum seekers with immigration matters. I was always curious about human rights and social justice issues, but the experience I had through the placement was so significant and meaningful, it really cemented my choice to continue working in the community legal sector helping disadvantaged and vulnerable clients with their legal issues.
Going back to university as a mature age student was a tough decision to make, but definitely the right one. I really enjoy being a lawyer and love working in the community legal sector – it’s incredibly rewarding, both on a personal and professional level, and my colleagues make coming to work every day a breeze!
Justice Connect helps people facing disadvantage who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a lawyer by providing them - and the community groups that supports them - with access to free legal assistance.
Justice Connect regularly recruits law graduates for our Practical Legal Training (PLT) placements in the following services:
Law graduates completing their PLT placement with Justice Connect will have an opportunity to experience a varied, interesting and challenging array of tasks and responsibilities. It sounds cliché, but no two days are the same. On a daily basis, PLT students assist Justice Connect lawyers and staff with:
Justice Connect is a charity and a not-for-profit legal service so unfortunately we do not offer paid PLT placements.
We don’t really have an ideal candidate at Justice Connect – all our PLT students have such diverse backgrounds and experience. With that said, we look for law graduates that display professionalism, initiative and above all, a demonstrated commitment to social justice and the work that we do.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful PLT students during my time with Justice Connect. They have all left with a strong desire to continue helping those in need and making a real difference in people’s lives - it’s contagious around here!
PLT students say their placement with us has:
Justice Connect provides training to PLT students, including:
Justice Connect is a charity and a not-for-profit, so unfortunately we are unable to provide paid PLT placements. Placements are therefore suited to PLT students who are able to dedicate a minimum of 60 days (preferably at least 3 days a week) on a voluntary basis.