Volunteering and Pro Bono Support
Learn about volunteering and offering pro bono legal services in the community legal sector
Volunteering at a CLC
Volunteers are crucial to the work of community legal centres and the services they provide to the community. Volunteers help support the work of paid staff and significantly increase capacity. Volunteering is also a great way to make a difference in your community.
The main types of volunteers include undergraduate law students, PLT (Practical Legal Training) students and lawyers, who are often involved in direct legal service delivery. Volunteers with a non-legal background also provide administrative support in some centres.
Volunteer opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering with a community legal centre you can contact the centre directly.
If you are a law graduate, the Piddington Society runs the Piddington PLT course, which includes placements at Community Legal Centres in WA. Find out more about Piddington PLT here.
Pro Bono Support
Are you a lawyer and want to make a contribution to a community legal centre?
Law Access coordinates applications for legal assistance from individuals and not-for-profit organisations, seeking pro-bono support from commercial lawyers. Visit the Law Access website to register your interest.
What kind of pro bono support do community legal centres need?
Many community legal centres in Western Australia are fortunate to receive pro bono support from local law firms. There are many ways law firms and local businesses can assist community legal centres with pro bono support, through support for any of the following activities:
- Legal Advice
- Policy advocacy and law reform,
- Community Legal Education,
- Governance and Management,
- Publications (e.g. design & printing),
- Marketing,
- Fundraising or sponsorship,
- Research and submission writing; and
- provide document production support in litigation matters.