The paid research opportunity has been named for lawyer and magistrate Jacinta Dwyer
Women's Legal Service Victoria (Women's Legal) recently celebrated over four decades in the profession and formally debuted a new research internship.
The milestone anniversary event was attended by more than 200 past and present volunteers, staff, supporters, and partners of Women’s Legal. The organisation was originally founded in 1982 as the Women’s Legal Resource Group by a group of female lawyers and law students.
Since its inception, Women’s Legal has held to its commitment to gender equality and advocated for the rights of women to live free from violence. The organisation has offered legal assistance to women as well as contributed to law reforms both in Victoria and across Australia.
"Our 40+ celebration was an opportunity for us to come together and reflect on all that we have achieved in four decades, while also acknowledging how much more work there is still to do”, said Claudia Fatone, CEO of Women's Legal. “While the number of services we provide has expanded since we first began as a volunteer run telephone advice line and resource group four decades ago, our purpose remains the same. Promoting access to justice by providing legal and related services for women disadvantaged by social and economic circumstances”.
Magistrate Therese McCarthy also formally launched the Jacinta Dwyer Research Internship at the anniversary event. This paid research opportunity honours lawyer and magistrate Jacinta Dwyer, a former staff member of Women’s Legal.
Women's Legal will oversee the internship with support from the Victorian Magistrates' Association. Applications are set to open in late April.
