Women's Legal Service (WLSQ)

Testimonials

• Nida Tavakoli

  Paralegal - Women's Legal Service (WLSQ) - 2023

  Throughout the first couple years of my law degree, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do! Like many, I thought that getting a clerkship and working in a top tier firm was the end goal. I soon realised that this path was not for me. So, I started reaching out to my peers and got involved with the QUT Law Society to learn more about the industry and what other options there were - and there were many! I reached out to a firm to ask about volunteer opportunities and fortunately, they offered me a volunteer position within the criminal law team. This was my first experience in a law firm and I believe it really gave me the confidence I needed to start my career.

  Fast forward to now, I am currently working at the Women's Legal Service Qld as a Paralegal within the Counselling Notes Protect and Client Advice teams. I started my journey at WLSQ as an Admin Volunteer after seeing an ad on the QUT Law Students Facebook page. I instantly fell in love with the service and what it stands for! I was so happy to be at an organisation that upholds feminist values and makes a difference within our communities. I volunteered for 6 months and was then offered a paid admin position. I then gained experience working on the Helpline, providing information and referrals to women experiencing domestic violence. Volunteering at WLSQ provided me with the skills I needed to continue with the organisation as an Information and Referral Officer, and now a Paralegal. Working in criminal and family law within a CLC is extremely rewarding. I am able to assist vulnerable women, appear in court and handle family law documents.

  My biggest tip for someone completing their law degree is to try as many things as possible! Be on the lookout for opportunities online and those posted by your Law Society at Uni. At WLSQ, you can volunteer as a DV Court Paralegal, and also assist within the admin and fundraising teams. I am so grateful for the opportunities WLSQ has given me and I highly recommend volunteering or working at a CLC. Volunteer positions are often overlooked but I think they are so important. If you are unsure of what you want to do, check out what positions different CLC's have available. At a CLC, not only do you gain invaluable experience, but you get to make a difference by assisting vulnerable and disadvantaged clients.

• Kaitlin De Souza

  Former Solicitor with Women's Legal Service QLD; Current Family Lawyer with Legal Aid Qld - Women's Legal Service (WLSQ) - 2020

  My first involvement with Women's Legal Service was as a volunteer at our Divorce Clinic. From the first training session, I felt so welcomed and appreciated for my time and service. It was a wonderful way to meet other young lawyers and I was also able to see how a community legal centre operated from the inside.

  I currently work in a job share between two roles at our Caboolture Domestic Violence Unit and Health Justice Partnership in the Moreton Bay region. My week can be quite variable. I might be in the office one day, court the next and an outreach hospital clinic the day after. Every day can be different but it is always interesting.

  My workplace gives me the ability to really engage with clients and the opportunity to make a difference. We help women from all different backgrounds with all types of abilities. Some of the cases have really difficult stories and it can be quite confronting, however, I always feel supported by my colleagues. I am grateful to work with such strong, hard working women who advocate every day for women in our community.

• Caitlyn Duke

  Volunteer - Women's Legal Service (WLSQ) - 2019

  The Women's Legal Service (WLS) is a community legal centre which offers free legal advice to women in the areas of family law and domestic violence (DV). I had seen the position advertised on the organisation's Facebook page, and after a written application and a round of interviews I was offered a volunteer role.

  I have had the opportunity to work both as an Administration Volunteer at the WLS' office and at the Ipswich Magistrates Court as a Duty Lawyer Paralegal. My role as an "Admin Vollie" began as a one day a week commitment (which became one day a fortnight once I commenced at the Ipswich court) and involves undertaking general administrative tasks such as filing, collecting mail and confirming appointments. Admin Vollies also answer the administration phone line, which is a challenging task that often involves answering calls directly from vulnerable women seeking to access the service.

  The WLS runs Duty Lawyer programs at multiple Magistrates Courts to provide free legal advice, and sometimes representation, to women who are due to appear in DV matters. My role as a Paralegal to these lawyers requires me to organise the day's list of clients, balancing who the parties most in need of assistance are and directly engaging with clients before they get advice to fill in forms and explain any conflict issues.

  Volunteering for the WLS has been an amazing learning experience which I have really enjoyed. Admittedly, the subject matter of DV can sometimes be really challenging to face and I have had a few clients whose stories I will never forget. In spite of this, I know I have benefitted from being exposed to the amazing work of the WLS and there is a really tangible feeling of women's empowerment amongst everyone there. My role has been equally rewarding and challenging and I encourage all law students to volunteer at Community Legal Centres - especially the WLS.