Volunteer requirements
To be part of the Program, Volunteer Solicitors must be committed to supporting the Centre provide responsive and sympathetic legal assistance to women in Canberra, and;
- have 2 years or more PAE practising in family law,
- identify as women,
- be able to commit 20 hours per year to volunteering (10 x 2-hour shifts spaced over the year).
Each shift includes two x 1-hour appointments with clients. These appointments are provided over the phone, so Volunteer solicitors do not need to attend the Centre to support this Program. Rosters are provided to volunteers on a six-monthly basis to support availability and planning and conflict checks are undertaken before the appointments.
Volunteer Solicitors are included in the Centre’s list of preferred referrals, which means we provide their details to women who have means to engage a private solicitor to assist with separation or other family law matters.
The Volunteer Solicitor Program currently includes experienced volunteers from the top family law firms in Canberra, including Alliance Family Law, Australian Family Lawyers, Boland Legal, DDCS Lawyers, McGuiness + Robinson, Neilan Stramandinoli Family Law, Parker Coles Curtis and Smyth Family Law.