As part of the graduate programme, Legal Aid NSW offers two identified Indigenous internships to newly licensed lawyers with strong academic grades in an LLB or equivalent. Without them, I would probably not have become a lawyer until much later, because most of the organizations that offer the cadet program tend to be in the areas of health and social policy. The Bob Bellear program is a great legacy for a great man and will lead to a new generation of Indigenous lawyers. Through the Graduate Career Development Program (Graduate Program), successful candidates are engaged in challenging work that makes a difference. We help our new lawyers develop rewarding careers. The graduate program is structured over two years and is designed to develop the skills necessary for the success of your legal career. The skills acquired will prepare you for future advancement in the legal profession and give you a good foundation in case management in two different areas of legal practice. The work offered is similar to that offered in private practice, but also includes department-specific tasks, customer service, and research. Work within the legal department includes: A strong peer group will always ensure that graduates are part of a team and that there are opportunities for personal development. Sophisticated career planning and training programs are offered to graduates at any stage of their careers (e.g., intensive advocacy workshops by members of the Bar and Judicial Association who will teach you how to prepare for trial).
Legal Aid NSW is proud of its commitment to contributing to legislative reform, providing legal education in the community and improving access to justice in general. We employ approximately 1000 people, have approximately 250 proximity locations across New South Wales and have offices in 24 locations across the state, including: Our civil law department helps people resolve legal issues related to housing, employment, debt and central link issues, as well as discrimination, consumer problems, fines, human rights and more. We offer services nationwide to help clients with these issues and have specialized teams that deal with issues such as mental health, labour law, immigration and veterans. Applications are usually completed online on the websites of the respective departments or agencies. After submitting the application online, there is often a series or more psychometric tests, followed by video interviews. Further assessments are then conducted at the department`s or agency`s Assessment Centre, which is often located in Canberra. The entire process often takes several months, with registration opening dates varying from government agency to government, with some opening at similar times to law firms` graduate programs and others much later in the year. For more information on this program, please visit the Legal Aid website. Graduate programs can last between 12 and 24 months.
Applicants must have completed their LLB (or equivalent) from an accredited body and be eligible to hold a current NSW Certificate of Practice with less than 12 months of legal professional experience after admission. The process of applying for legal positions in government is completely different from applying for positions in private practice or in-house legal services. Departments have their own separate application process and are generally longer and more detailed. There is also a much stricter selection process that applicants need to be aware of. Starting my practice as a lawyer allowed me to serve difficult clients almost immediately and handle complex court applications. And the same is true with legal aid. I completed my second year in the program in the Civil Procedure Department with a focus on human rights law and consumer law. Practicing in another area of law has given my skills as a lawyer such depth and color. This has given me a better understanding of the issues faced by legal aid clients than in the full context of their lived experience. Our Family Law Department provides legal advice, information, assistance to minors, mandatory services, dispute resolution and family law representation in many locations across New South Wales, including child maintenance and care and protection matters.
Our team has a strong presence in mediation, care and protection services and has a strong focus on domestic violence throughout the organisation and through the Domestic Violence Unit. Once the program was over, I went back to family law and wanted to pick up where I left off. I worked in the Early Intervention Unit, primarily in the duty counsel program, gaining invaluable experience with courts and high-end problem solving on site. In 2013, I returned to family disputes and have been working as a family lawyer for the past six months. The rotation program is conducted in a highly structured manner and is determined by a combination of student decisions and business requirements. In this way, graduates gain a broader knowledge of the company, customers and culture. Rotations help companies and organizations decide which graduates of the department are best suited. – Handling of legal issues – Review/preparation of communications, instruments and other legal documents – Research, evaluation and preparation of advice on legal and regulatory issues We have an ongoing employee training program, which is also available to our partners, and we promote the health and safety of our employees.
The graduate program is led by the Human Resources Management Branch in collaboration with field managers and senior counsel. Program participants participate in relevant professional development activities, including ELM and conferences. The Training and Development team runs a range of courses and programs throughout the year, and graduates are encouraged to participate in optional training in addition to mandatory technical skills and core competencies. For more information on the Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways – Graduate Program, visit the Identified Indigenous Graduate Program FAQ – 2023 or contact the Indigenous Services Branch The structure of the program depends on the particular department. Each program begins with an orientation, lasting up to two weeks, where all participants have the opportunity to meet and learn about their department and the people they will be working with. Students are often assigned to a team of graduates and a buddy to help them transition to life in Canberra.