Volunteering Opportunities
UPDATE JULY 2011: We are NOW RECRUITING volunteer solicitors. Please email your expression of interest to Jenn Lindstrom at Mols-volunteer@monash.edu
UPDATE April 2011: WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING VOLUNTEER LAW STUDENTS
Applications are now open for our September 2011 - April 2012 intake.
We currently have a waiting list of volunteers for the Family Law Assistance Program (FLAP), please contact reception on 9905 4336 to put your name on the waiting list.
General Information - MOLS
Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service (MOLS) operates an ‘Advice Only’ session on Wednesday nights. It is staffed by volunteer solicitors and Monash University students who are required to attend once fortnightly.
Our practice areas are varied and include family law, criminal law, motor vehicle accidents, debt, contract and employment matters, neighbourhood disputes and social security problems. We are generally unable to assist with matters including conveyancing, immigration matters, commercial matters, administration and probate of estates, town planning, defamation, work cover or wills.
Your Commitment
Volunteer students are expected to attend once a fortnight for 6 months and participate in regular training sessions. The Night Service begins at 6.15pm and concludes at approximately 8.30pm. Clients are seen by prior appointment only at 6:30pm and 7:15pm..
Session structure
A night session is comprised of:
- supervisors;
- The Volunteer Coordinator
- 2-4 volunteer mentors (senior students with prior experience in volunteering at MOLS/SMLS)
- 4-6 volunteer mentees (1st to 3rd year Monash law students)
Probation & Training
New student volunteers are placed on probation for a period of four sessions, during which they will receive ongoing training. During this time volunteers interview clients under the supervision of an experienced student/mentor. In addition,our volunteers attend seminars which are designed to provide a wider legal and/or social perspective and experience in skills such as interviewing, negotiating and advocacy. At the end of probation, an informal review will be conducted and probationary paralegals will be retained as volunteer paralegals at the discretion of the Volunteer Coordinator.
What you can expect
Paralegals conduct client interviews (usually 1-2 a night), take instructions, under take legal research, and provide advice to clients after consultation with the Supervisor. All paralegals have the opportunity to request additional training/assistance from both mentors/supervisors. All paralegals undertake administrative/legal secretarial duties when rostered.
What we expect
- A passion and dedication to the law and legal issues within the community legal service context
- Analytical strength/problem solving abilities
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, and client-service
- Sensitivity to, and the ability to deal with, diverse cultures and backgrounds
- Ability to empower clients to take ownership and, as far as possible, resolve problems independently
- Knowledge of, and support for, the mission of MOLS.
- A commitment to one session a fortnight for a period of six months. (Be aware that sessions may extend past 8:30pm)
*NB. Prior volunteering or relevant work experience is not essential. Further, failure to attend any session as a mentee will result in immediate termination.
Applications
Please download and complete the application here and email it to mols-volunteer by COB 19 August 2011. Late applications will not be accepted.
For further information please contact Jenn Lindstrom, Volunteer Coordinator on (03) 9905 4336 or email mols-volunteer@monash.edu
Volunteering at FLAP
Please phone reception on 9905 4336 to leave your details on the waiting list. Volunteers who are in their third year or higher in their Law degree who have had experience in family law or Community Legal Centres would be preferred. The FLAP Administrator will contact you with details of the next orientation session. Please note, FLAP recruits on an as-needed basis several times a year. For further enquiries, please email Jenn Lindstrom at mols-volunteer@monash.edu.
