Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI)

Testimonials

• Dayne Kingsford

  Senior Solicitor for Human Rights Advocacy Practice - Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) - 2023

  Prior to joining Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI) in September 2020, I worked in private practice and during my time, had a very keen interest in contributing to the firm's pro-bono work. My shift to the community sector seemed to be more aligned with my interest in social justice that I had cultivated throughout my university studies. It was also at a time when I was following the unfolding of a challenge in the Queensland Land Court using the then relatively new Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). I was very excited by these developments and realised that is the kind of work I needed to be involved in.

  QAI believes that every person is equally important, unique and of intrinsic value and strives for a society where everyone is equally valued. These are values that reflect my own and I could truly say the same for everyone I work with. Everyone at QAI brings their own unique knowledge and experience, so it is great to get to work in, and learn from, a multidisciplinary team.

  Of course it is always fantastic to get a great outcome for a client. However, working in the community sector means you are often working with some of the most vulnerable members of our society at times when they are experiencing significant challenges. I think one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is when a client feels listened to and empowered with all the information and tools they need to resolve their concerns.

  I would encourage any law student, especially those who are unsure about their pathway, to try out and be involved in as many things as they can during their study. Try to engage with your university's work experience programs and try to find a mentor in the university or industry you can bounce ideas off. I would also reassure them that your interests will continue to develop and change into practice and you will not be committed to the one area for your entire career.

• Emma Phillips

  Former Principal Solicitor and Deputy Director at QAI; Current Director at Queensland Law Reform Commission - Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) - 2020

  I am the Principal Solicitor and Deputy Director of Queensland Advocacy Incorporated, a specialist community legal centre and disability advocacy organisation. QAI provides state-wide assistance to the most vulnerable people with disability across a range of legal areas, including human rights, mental health, discrimination and administrative law. In addition to our individual advocacy, we actively engage in law reform, striving to achieve justice for people with disability at a systemic level.

  I commenced my legal career as a judge's associate in the Federal Court, before working in the private sector. I was always drawn to the community legal sector and was an active volunteer at the (now-defunded) Arts Law Centre during my university studies and beyond. Following completion of a PhD in human rights law, I worked at Community Legal Centres Queensland on a specialist project before moving to QAI, where I have been fortunate to work for the past six years.

  I love working in the community legal sector. I was motivated to study law by a strong desire to contribute to society in a positive way and working for a CLC has allowed me to be part of a collective movement for social justice and equality. I am grateful that, through my work, I have been able to touch the lives of vulnerable and disempowered people in a positive way, providing a listening ear and a voice in a system where they may previously not have been heard. The areas in which we practice are interesting and challenging and there is always a human face to the legal issue at hand. I enjoy the challenge of explaining relevant parts of the law in a way that makes sense to people, and striving for an outcome that will positively impact someone's life. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with like-minded people and I cherish the friendships I have made through my work. I have had some wonderful opportunities through my work, with highlights including advocating at the United Nations and being part of the campaign for the Human Rights Act in Queensland.

  My advice to those interested in volunteering or working within this sector is to give it a try - the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Becoming part of a CLC can be immensely gratifying and will open your eyes, and the door, to many opportunities.

• Cleo Shave

  Former Volunteer + Paralegal at RAILS; Current Volunteer + Paralegal at QAI - Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) + RAILS - 2026

  I started volunteering at the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) through the UQ Clinical Placement elective. Prior to placement I had felt disillusioned by the well-worn corporate law pathway, mistakenly thinking I had made the wrong choice to study law. However, after starting placement at RAILS, everything started making sense. I witnessed the power of the law twofold. Firstly through the law's harsh treatment of the most vulnerable and secondly, and in opposition, through the law's incredible capacity to assist the most vulnerable.

  At the end of placement, I had the opportunity to work as a paralegal in the Protection Visa team, and it was the best experience of my life. Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are such valuable places to learn, as you are often thrown into the deep end, completing tasks such as drafting legal submissions or statutory declarations with clients by yourself. Apart from fascinating work and a sense of agency, spending time at a CLC ignites a fierce desire to break down the barriers in the legal system. I now work at another CLC, Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI), in the NDIS Appeals team. Again, the law creates barriers for the most vulnerable, and it is our job as people in the legal profession to facilitate access through the law to get better outcomes. It is a true privilege to undertake legal education and so many people bear the brunt of the legal system with little to no assistance. Overall, not only does volunteering/working at a CLC challenge your understanding of the world, it is an entirely human experience - between you and the client. I highly recommend volunteering at a CLC as it can lead to unexpected outcomes and allows you to bear witness to and participate in one of the most compassionate sectors in the legal world.