The College of Law is pleased to announce a formal partnership with new not for profit Everyday Justice, an initiative of leading national law firm Mills Oakley. The College of Law will assist in identifying suitable candidates for the not for profit’s internship program.
The innovative new not for profit will improve access to legal assistance, particularly for regional and mobility-impaired Australians, and provide relief for overstretched community legal services.
Terri Mottershead, Executive Director of the College’s pro bono Centre for Legal Innovation, will serve on the Board of Everyday Justice, along with Mills Oakley partners Luke Geary and Vera Visevic. Managing Lawyer Amy Burton and Associate Lawyer Lauren Stubbs will be responsible for day-to-day pro bono operations.
Everyday Justice will continue to work closely with the many charities supported by Mills Oakley, who will refer clients to the service.
The Missing Middle
Everyday Justice will provide free legal advice for the “missing middle.” This term describes the growing number of low to moderate income earners in Australia who are ineligible for means-tested Legal Aid services but unable to afford a private lawyer. To access the legal system, the missing middle often must make a difficult choice between incurring substantial financial hardship, self-representing or abstaining from pursuing their legitimate legal claims altogether. Everyday Justice hopes to alleviate some of this undue hardship.
Innovative, accessible justice
Everyday Justice will emphasise accessibility for clients, delivering services online and via telephone, as well as in person. Innovative legal technology solutions will ensure that vulnerable people, including those with disabilities, the elderly and those in rural, remote and regional communities have ample access to free legal assistance without the need to travel great distances to obtain it.
Everyday Justice will provide advice on employment law, tenancy, credit & debt, bankruptcy, financial abuse, fines & infringements, human rights, environmental and other areas of public interest. Many of these practice areas have experienced a strong increase in demand since last summer’s bushfires and ongoing coronavirus related lockdowns.
An opportunity for aspiring lawyers
Everyday Justice will also provide a pathway for aspiring lawyers to gain the practical legal experience required for admission, offering internships to law graduates and newly qualified lawyers interested in pursuing careers in the social justice sector.
Interns will undertake a comprehensive training program covering all areas of the firm’s practice. They will then have the opportunity to help make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need, in a supportive, stimulating and diverse learning environment. “We want to equip more young lawyers with the practical skills needed to help Australians with their everyday legal issues,” said Mills Oakley CEO John Nerurker.
Everyday Justice will formally partner with The College of Law to identify suitable candidates for the internship program. Commenting on the partnership, Terri Mottershead said that this was an opportunity for College of Law students to gain valuable experience in an innovative legal initiative: “Everyday Justice has been created to help people who can’t afford a lawyer, something made even more acute as a consequence of the COVID pandemic,” she said. “There’s a huge gap in the legal service/product provider market - the need far exceeds access to justice - this outstanding initiative from Mills Oakley, will help to bridge that divide. It’s also created a new type of innovative collaboration, where pro bono services, experiential learning for law grads and technology combine for the benefit of the community. It’s blazing a new path for how to think about and provide access to justice more effectively and efficiently, and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
For enquiries about the Centre for Legal Innovation contact Terri Mottershead, Executive Director of the Centre for Legal Innovation, on +61 (0) 438 355 427 and tmottershead@collaw.edu.au
For enquiries about Practical Legal Training at the College of Law contact Lewis Patrick, Chief Academic Officer at the College of Law on +61 2 9965 7043 and lpatrick@collaw.edu.au
For enquiries about Everyday Justice contact Amy Burton, Managing Lawyer of Everyday Justice aburton@everydayjustice.com.au