Law Graduate 2027

Fitzroy Legal Service (FLS) is dedicated to assisting the most marginalised members of the community with legal information, advice and representation, as well as championing law reform and conducting public interest litigation.

Fitzroy Legal Service provides legal services for communities who are disproportionately impacted by law and policy, and those who face systemic barriers to accessing justice. We provide various multidisciplinary outreach programs reaching culturally and racially marginalised communities, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, LGBTIQA+SB communities, victim-survivors of family violence, people in prison and people who use drugs.

Our services are offered across the Cities of Darebin and Yarra and the inner north of Melbourne. For further information please visit our website www.fls.org.au. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

This position is an opportunity to experience and contribute to the breadth of legal assistance services provided by Fitzroy Legal Service. During the course of the 12-month position, we will provide you with a professional development program designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to be a successful CLC lawyer (including the Practical Legal Training course if not already undertaken). 

The Law Graduate will assist legal staff in providing advice, advocacy and casework services to clients. This is undertaken under the supervision of the Managing Lawyers and with appropriate training provided to allow the Law Graduate to complete their requirements for admission to the legal profession. Unless otherwise negotiated or not required, this will involve undertaking a Practical Legal Training program, with time off provided to enable course work to be completed.  

You will provide support to legal staff by drafting correspondence, taking instructions from clients, preparing briefs and general management of casework files. You will spend time at both our Fitzroy and Reservoir offices as well as the Neighbourhood Justice Centre, and will also be involved in community development, education, policy, strategic litigation and law reform work. Like all Fitzroy Legal Service employees, the Law Graduate is expected to support and promote organisational values and objectives. 

This position is generously funded by Allens.

TIMELINES

The position will commence in or around March 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

People in the following categories are eligible to apply: 

• Law students who will complete their law degree by February 2027;  

• Recent law graduates who have not been admitted to practice; and 

• Law graduates who will be undertaking PLT in February 2027(but are not yet admitted to practice) 

You are not eligible to apply if:  

• You are already admitted to practice; or  

• You are currently studying law but will not complete your law degree by February 2027. 

You must be legally entitled to work in Australia to apply. 

WHAT WE OFFER:

• 5 weeks annual leave and 17.5% leave loading.
• Above-award salary and the ability to increase your take-home pay by accessing salary packaging benefits (use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you).
• A range of leave options, including 16 weeks parental leave for primary carers, gender affirmation leave, cultural and ceremonial leave, the ability to swap public holidays as well as purchase additional leave.

As we anticipate a high level of interest in this position, please email any enquiries to Aidan McCarthy, Deputy Managing Lawyer, Night Service at amccarthy@fls.org.au.

Please note that there may be a delay in responding to enquiries. 

Next Steps

To submit your application please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

Applications must be received by 11.59pm on the closing date.

Late applications or applications which do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.  

Due to the expected high number of applications, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of each application. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email. 

The document attached includes information on the recruitment process and a position description.

Fitzroy Legal Service is an inclusive employer and complies with the laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, race, sex, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, family responsibilities, irrelevant criminal record and other protected attributes. Members of the LGBTIQA+ community and culturally and racially marginalised communities and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. 

Fitzroy Legal Service values the experience gained by people who have engaged with the systems within which we work. People with lived experience of the inequity of those systems, or other forms of marginalisation, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

We recognise the distinction between valuing a person's lived experience and understanding of marginalisation, and the expectation that they provide cultural awareness insights for their colleagues or wider organisation. Fitzroy Legal Service values individual perspectives and understandings but does not expect staff to provide a cultural consulting perspective.