Finding a rich and diverse career in a community legal centre

Community legal centres (CLCs) are the lifeblood of their communities. They are independent, not-for-profit organisations that provide free legal services, advice and education. CLCs strive to improve access to justice and equity by providing services to those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal advice or representation. There are two types of CLCs: generalist and specialist. Generalist CLCs offer support across a range of legal issues within a particular locational area, while specialist CLCs focus on a specific area of law or servicing a particular group of people, for example refugees or the elderly. I work in a specialist CLC that deals with credit, debt and insurance matters.

The biggest benefit of working in a CLC is the variety and diverse nature of the services and matters. Whether you’re at a specialist or generalist centre, no two days are the same. For example, time may be spent delivering a community legal education session to community members or other professionals, such as financial counsellors or social workers, drafting submissions to a court or ombudsman, or travelling to an outreach location to give in-person advice in the community. Another advantage of working in the CLC sector is your ability to engage in policy work.

Being independent of government, CLCs occupy a unique position to meaningfully engage and lead policy work as well as other law reform initiatives. Being able to drive systemic change to make the law more equitable for everyone, not just the immediate client, is incredibly rewarding.

Several CLCs and CLC NSW are involved in the ongoing campaign for a NSW Human Rights Act. Personally, I have supported this work by contributing a human rights perspective on the design and implementation of a Human Rights Act through my involvement with Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. A Human Rights Act would legally articulate everyone’s rights and provide an avenue for remedy if those rights were breached. Importantly, it would also place an obligation on the NSW government and all public authorities to consider human rights in the development of legislation, the design of policies, and the exercise of public power. This ensures that human rights are not an afterthought but a guiding principle in government decision-making. Policy campaigns are a long-term effort, but this work always has the potential to create more effective legal protections for all.

A frequent challenge CLCs struggle with is funding, which includes obtaining, renewing, and extending it. Even when funding is secured, it is often insufficient to meet the level of demand within the community. Turning people away due to resource constraints is one of the most challenging aspects of this work.

Conversely, there is no greater professional satisfaction than assisting clients who would otherwise be unable to access legal advice and supporting them to achieve a positive outcome. If you are looking for a career as a solicitor where you can make real, measurable change in people’s lives, working in a community legal centre is a great way to make an impact.