Welcome back everyone to Semester 1 2009! …. Well not yet, but the LSS will be trying a few things new this year, and one of those is a pre-semester newsletter to inform all students about the opportunities available in the early part of semester 1… before the semester actually begins! It should allow everyone a heads up whilst we all enjoy our last week of holidays.

 

You will also notice a new format to these newsletter emails, in order to allow for easier browsing.

 

Please feel free to send feedback regarding this new format. Additionally, if you would like an event included in the weekly LSS newsletter, or want to offer suggestions regarding how you believe the newsletter can be improved, please feel free to email myself on lss-president@unimelb.edu.au

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

 

·         International Women’s Day Event

·         Re-Opening of the new Level 1 & 2

·         Living Book Scheme

·         “Welcome Back” BBQ

·         Locker Hire

·         Charlie Bit Me

 

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From the LSS

 

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International Women’s Day 2009

 

International Women’s Day

Speaker: Justice Marcia Neave

Wednesday 4 March

1–2pm (Refreshments included)

Lecture Theatre 102

 

International Women’s Day is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. The Law School will be hosting International Women’s Day on Wednesday 4 March. International Women’s Day aims to celebrate the achievements of women, while also recognising that obstacles in equality continue to exist. We believe this is an ideal platform from which to promote discussion and reflection on women’s issues.

 

Our guest speaker for 2009 will be Justice Marcia Neave from the Victorian Supreme Court of Appeal. Her Honour will speak on her experiences as a legal professional, and broader questions about women’s difference in the quest for legal equality. The topic of Justice Neave’s address will be ‘How we know what we know—does gender make a difference?’ Her Honour will speak about the way that female experience shapes our knowledge and approach to the law.

 

Justice Neave has had a remarkable legal career. After graduating from the University of Melbourne Justice Neave co-wrote the first Australian casebook on the law of property with Ronald Sackville. In addition to this Justice Neave has also served as Dean of Law at the University of Adelaide, Director of Research with the NSW Law Reform Commission and Foundation Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, and in 2006, she appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria, Courts of Appeal division.

 

Come along and be inspired. It is a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day.

 

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Re-Opening of the new Level 1 & 2 

 

For those of you unlucky enough to have been at Law School during January and February, you may have noticed the construction of Level 1 and 2, with new funky couches, tables and chairs on Level 2, replacing the old grey and boring chairs and tables we used to have.

 

This student area will officially be launched at 12.15pm on Tuesday, 3 March for all students and staff.

 

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Living Book Scheme

 

The Living Book Scheme is a year round service run by the LSS Equality VPs, which enable law students who are experiencing financial difficulties to access the legal course material - free of charge. Students who are eligible to receive assistance under the Living Book Scheme able to:

 

* Request any prescribed law text book from their book list

* Borrow text books for any enrolled subject in semesters 1, 2 and summer semester 2010

* Collect printed materials from Student Centre free of charge

 

For more detail about how to apply for the scheme, go http://mulss.com/living-book-scheme. Applications close on Friday 13 March 2009.

 

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“Welcome Back” BBQ this Thursday at Lunchtime

 

The LSS will be kicking off semester 1 with its famous Thursday lunchtime BBQs! As usual, there will be free food and free drinks provided!
 
Where: University Square Lawns
When: Thursday 5 March, 1pm
 
See you there!

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Locker Hire

 

The LSS Locker Hire service will be returning again in 2009. Lockers on Mezzanine and Level 1 were made available for hire on Monday 16 February for $20. The locker will be in your possession until 31 January 2010.

 

Just come by the office in order to pay and receive your locker number (payment is to be made by EFTPOS only, cash will not be accepted). You will need to provide your own lock.

 

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Charlie Bit Me

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

 

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BEYOND THE LSS

 

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2009 Victoria Women’s Lawyers & Women’s Barristers Association Law Students Mentoring Program 

 

On behalf of Victorian Women Lawyers, I invite all female Melbourne Uni law students to participate in the 2009 Law Student Mentoring Program, a joint initiative with the Women Barristers Association. The attached information flyer includes an endorsement of the Program by Her Honour Justice Neave AO.

 

The pilot Mentoring Program that ran last year was an unprecedented success. We've drawn on our extensive learnings and are proud to present a bigger and better program in 2009, which will run from April 2009 to April 2010. Mentor-student pairs will be encouraged to meet on a monthly basis, especially at VWL and WBA events. Pairs will be matched according to common legal interests and backgrounds. We will endeavour to place all students with a mentor but some students may miss out if there are not enough mentors available.

 

All female Melbourne Uni law students are warmly welcome to apply in order to gain valuable insights into legal practice (articled clerks and trainees are ineligible). All participants will be invited to the Program Launch in the CBD on the evening of 1 April 2009.

 

Interested students should complete the Expression of Interest form (located here) and return it to Tracey Spiller by 13 March 2009.

 

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Opportunities at Corrs

Now that you're in your last couple of years at university, you're getting to know your stuff.  Here's something extra we'd like you to know - how to apply for a seasonal clerkship at Corrs.

Seasonal clerk applications are now open for 2009.  To apply please visit the Corrs careers page at www.corrs.com.au and select the 'Click here to view positions currently available at Corrs' .

If you have any questions, please contact:

Bianca Garretto - Human Resources Coordinator
Tel: 03 9672 3431
Email: bianca.garretto@corrs.com.au

Good luck!

 

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Booz & Company Networking Hour

 

Booz & Company is a leading global consulting firm, helping the world’s top businesses, governments, and organizations. With more than 3,300 people in 58 offices around the world, we work closely with our clients to create and deliver essential advantage.

 

We hire graduates from a variety of degree disciplines including Law.

 

We are holding a Networking Hour at Melbourne Uni:

 

DATE: Friday 6 March 2009

TIME: 1:00pm - 2:00pm

VENUE: 1st Floor, Alan Gilbert Executive Lounge

 

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Victoria Law Foundation Legal Sector Internship Program 2009/10

 

Applications are invited from law students for the Victoria Law Foundation 2009/10 Legal Sector Internship Program.

 

The Program facilitates mutually beneficial relationships between law students and public sector agencies. Law students gain experience in public benefit policy work that may inform their career choices and professional thinking, whilst organisations welcome the voluntary assistance afforded by talented law students.

 

Now in its sixth year of operation, the Program has attracted high calibre students whose interests and experience are then matched with the particular project needs of the participating organisations. We have had as many as 23 agencies participating in the Program in a year. Participating agencies have included the Victorian Law Reform Commission, the Office of the Solicitor General, Court Network, Office of the Public Advocate, the National Institute of Forensic Science, the Sentencing Advisory Council, the Victorian Council of Social Services, Liberty Victoria and the Foundation itself, among others.

 

Applications close Thursday 16 April 2009. Further details of the Program, including the application procedure, are available on the Foundation’s website www.victorialawfoundation.org.au.

 

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The European International Model United Nations Conference 2009.

 

The European International Model United Nations (TEIMUN) is an annual United Nations simulation for University students from all over the world. The conference will this year be held in from 13 to 20 July 2009 in The Hague, The Netherlands. This year the main theme of the conference will be: 'Seeking a balance in a changing world order'.

For 200 students, TEIMUN is an opportunity to experience hands-on the workings of different councils of the United Nations. Each student will be assigned a country to represent in one of the simulated councils. This year the simulated councils will be: the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Human Rights Council, International Court of Justice, Northern Atlantic Council and the United Nations Environment Program. Last year no less than 75 different nationalities registered for TEIMUN! This wide span of nationalities contributes to make TEIMUN a unique and interesting event.

But the conference is not all work and no play, besides the formal sessions we are of course also organizing many non-official activities. You will be able to go on an excursion, visiting NGO's and the International Courts located in The Hague. There will also be nightly social activities, including an International Night and our famous Beach Party.

 

For more information about TEIMUN 2009 please visit: www.teimun.org and if you have any questions please send your emails to s.beelaerts@teimun.org.

 

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Appointment of Tipstaff to the Chief Justice of New South Wales

Applications are invited for the position of Tipstaff to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the Honourable J J Spigelman AC.

 

The appointment will commence in late January 2010. Applicants should be prepared to continue on the staff of the Chief Justice for the year 2011 in the position of Research Director. The salaries in the 2009-2010 financial year are $52,477 for Tipstaff position and $83,171 for the Research Director position.

 

The primary role of Tipstaff is assisting the Chief Justice with legal research. The Tipstaff also performs a range of court-related duties in Chambers as well as spending a substantial amount of time in Court. In the second year of appointment, the tasks to be performed are almost entirely research with less frequent attendance in Court.

 

Applicants must have a distinction average or higher, and must expect to complete their law degree by the end of 2009.

 

Applications should contain a full curriculum vitae, covering letter and academic transcript. Applications should also contain either references or the names of referees.

 

Further information about the position may be obtained from the Chief Justice's Research Director, Mila Cerecina on (02) 9230 8216 or mila_cerecina@courts.nsw.gov.au .

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 18 March 2009.

 

Applications should be sent to:

 

Ms S Packham

Associate to the Chief Justice

Supreme Court of New South Wales

GPO Box 3

SYDNEY NSW 2001

 

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Law Graduates for CLCs in Regional Australia Project

 

Completing a PLT work placement in a Regional, Remote and Rural (RRR) Community Legal Centre is a great opportunity for both the Law Graduates and the concerned CLC as it aids to address problems of recruitment and retention in RRR CLCs and the LAw Graduate is provided with the opportunity to explore a diverse career option while meeting their PLT course requirements.

The Law Graduates for CLCs in Regional Australia Project by the National Association of CLCs is an initiative to promote such placements and its first year (a feasibility study), NACLC has established a partnership with the ANU College of Law Legal Workshop to establish a Pilot Program.

 

The website for the Law Graduates for CLCs in Regional, Remote and Rural Australia project has been launched. The website is aimed at promoting the project in an easy to understand and access format. The url for the website is http://www.lawgraduatesrrrclc.com.au/

 

Pilot Program – A partnership with ANU College of Law Legal Workshop

Pilot Program 1 January 2009 – 30 June 2009.

 

The feasibility study includes a pilot program. For the pilot, NACLC has entered into a partnership with the ANU College of Law Legal Workshop. The pilot involves PLT placement opportunities for ANU GDLP students, including ANU / Charles Darwin University GDLP students, in participating RRR CLC locations. Under the pilot the ANU will:

• assist CLCs to establish and sustain the placements;

• provide mentoring support for students; and,

• provide a scholarship fund to assist students to participate.

Information for law graduates

Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are independent, community organisations that provide free legal and legal related services to the public. Their focus is on the disadvantaged and work in the public interest. They are committed to working to ensure that all people have access to justice.

The feedback we have received from Law Graduates who have undertaken their PLT Placements in RRR CLCs highlights the variety of experiences and knowledge they gained. The graduates valued the exposure to community legal practice, legal education projects and the law reform work.

In terms of financial assistance, it is generally accepted that the cost of travel, accommodation and other living costs will be at the expense of the graduate. If scholarships or other forms of assistance become available the information will be included on this page.

 

If you would like more information about CLCs and how they work, you can find out information here (http://www.naclc-qat.socialchange.net.au/topics/2000.html .

 

For more information about National Association of Community Legal Centres, and to find your nearest CLC click here (http://www.naclc.org.au/).

 

If you are interested in completing a PLT placement in RRR CLCs, you should contact the CLC where you would like to work or contact Rachna Muddagouni, the Project Officer (rachna.muddagouni@gmail.com).

 

It is important to note that each CLC may have a selection process to ensure that the CLC can meet the interests of the student and ensure the student’s interests aligns with the work of the CLC.

 

Students who undertake placements during the pilot program will provide feedback on their experience to the Legal Workshop and to the NACLC Project Officer.

 

Australian National University Legal Workshop

Program: http://law.anu.edu.au/legalworkshop

Placement Rules: http://law.anu.edu.au/legalworkshop/PDF_File/Application_forms/LPERules_updates_May06.pdf 

 

 

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Undergraduate Law Students National Human Rights Competition

 

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) invites undergraduate law students enrolled in an Australian university to make a submission to the National Consultation on Human Rights www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au. ALHR is grateful to ALSA for assistance in publicising the competition.

 

ALHR is looking for the best submission addressing these key questions:

1. Which human rights (including corresponding responsibilities) should be

protected and promoted?

2. Are there human rights currently sufficiently protected and promoted?

3. How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?

 

DETAILS:

Register by: Friday 27 March 2009 to be sent an information kit containing full entry information, tips and resources to help you write your submission to:

secretary@alhr.asn.au

 

Submission deadline: Friday 1 May 2009.

Word limit: 1000 words.

Prize: $300 cash; a certificate; a signed copy of A. Byrnes, H. Charlesworth & G. McKinnon, Bills of Rights in Australia: history, politics and law .

 

Submissions will be judged by Professor George Williams, UNSW.

 

Best of all, your opinion in this historic consultation will be counted and ALHR will

assist the winner to publish their submission!

 

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RELEVANT LINKS

 

LSS Website – www.mulss.com

LSS Facebook Group-  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2203777804

For other events around the university see: http://events.unimelb.edu.au/