2025 Volunteer Drive

Applications for 2025 Student Volunteers, Portfolio and Senior Managers are now open! If you are a dedicated individual committed to DWL's mission of spearheading tangible change in the legal profession by supporting and empowering Diverse Women, this opportunity is for you!

Law student volunteers

Student Volunteers assist with facilitating various events and play a key role in driving DWL’s 2025 strategic objectives. As a Student Volunteer, you will play an important role in “being the change we want to see” by contributing meaningfully towards an increasingly diverse and inclusive legal profession across Australia.

What will I gain from volunteering?

DWL is committed to ensuring our Student Volunteers benefit from personal and professional development within their role at DWL and develop transferable skills that can be utilised in the workplace. Student Volunteers will be supervised by senior DWL members and be exposed to various industry stakeholders and external organisations through organising and attending DWL events. Student Volunteers will hone their legal research, analysis and writing skills, along with building confidence in exercising leadership, project and stakeholder management, and communication skills.

DWL will facilitate Volunteer Training and Induction Sessions prior to the commencement of the Volunteer role. During these sessions, Student Volunteers will be equipped to take on their role and responsibilities through gaining a deeper understanding of the organisation, its structure, and initiatives, and meeting the DWL Team.

Apply to be a Student Volunteer!

Portfolio Managers

DWL is recruiting junior lawyers and PLT students for multiple Portfolio Manager positions in 2025. Portfolio Managers assist with leading various events and play a pivotal role in driving DWL’s 2024 strategic objectives. As a Portfolio Manager, you will play an important role in “being the change we want to see” by contributing meaningfully towards an increasingly diverse and inclusive legal profession across Australia.

Senior Managers

DWL is currently recruiting lawyers with 5+ years PQE for multiple Senior Manager positions for 2025. Senior Managers assist with overseeing various initiatives and play a significant role in driving DWL’s 2024 strategic objectives. As a Senior Manager, you will play an important role in “being the change we want to see” by contributing meaningfully towards an increasingly diverse and inclusive legal profession across Australia.

What will I gain from volunteering?

DWL is committed to ensuring that our Portfolio Managers and Senior Managers benefit from personal and professional development within their role at DWL and develop connections with other senior diverse women in the legal profession.

Senior Managers will report to DWL Board Members on the progress of their designated area of interest and Portfolio Managers will report to Senior Managers within DWL.

Senior Managers and Portfolio Managers will have the opportunity to hone their project management, analysis and writing skills whilst exercising leadership, project management and communication skills. In organising and attending DWL events, volunteers will be exposed to various industry stakeholders and external organisations.

Senior and Portfolio Managers will also benefit from:

• Access to DWL events and training opportunities

• Mentoring by other senior members of DWL and networking opportunities

DWL will facilitate Volunteer Training and Induction Sessions prior to the commencement of the role. During these sessions, volunteers will be equipped to take on their role and responsibilities by gaining a deeper understanding of the organisation, its structure, and initiatives, and meeting the DWL Team.

Apply to be a Portfolio or Senior Manager here!

What are we looking for?

Time commitment

Student Volunteers must be able to commit approximately 3-5 hours per week and Portfolio and Senior Managers must be available to commit approximately 4 - 5 hours per week between February 2025 - November 2025. We note that this number is an estimate only and will depend on your portfolio and event commitments.
Eligibility

Student Volunteers must be currently studying a law degree (undergraduate or Juris Doctor) and sign up as a DWL member.
Portfolio Managers must be admitted as a lawyer in NSW or currently undertaking PLT (Practical Legal Training).
Senior Managers must be admitted as a lawyer with 5 years + PQE.
Upon selection as a volunteer, you will be required to sign up for DWL membership if you haven’t already.
Volunteers do not have to identify as Diverse Women.
Skills

We are looking for volunteers with a diverse set of skills including time and project management skills, the ability to work independently and in a team, excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written) and attention to detail.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Passion

Student Volunteers - We are looking for students who are passionate about DWL’s mission and are keen to learn from senior leaders!
Portfolio and Senior Managers - We are looking for people who are passionate about DWL’s mission, are keen to learn from other senior volunteers and who are invested in the coaching, mentoring and development of students.

Our portfolios

As a Student Volunteer, Portfolio Manager or Senior Manager with DWL, you will have the opportunity to assist with a range of tasks to support the delivery of initiatives within your assigned portfolio.

Social Justice & Advocacy

Events and initiatives targeting careers in social justice, government and the CLC sector, raising awareness about the range of career pathways available to Diverse Women and developing advocacy skills for Diverse Women to pursue careers at the Bar.

Commercial Law

Events and initiatives to promote commercial law careers, in particular clerkship and graduate positions at commercial firms. Initiatives include workshops for preparing job applications, honing interview skills and developing a personal brand. The portfolio will also focus on addressing issues in retention and progression of diverse women in the commercial law sector.

Policy & Strategy

Developing DWL's strategic projects through research and analysis, identifying growth opportunities for DWL, developing policy initiatives to raise awareness on the structural barriers faced by Diverse Women through data collection, research and reporting.

Marketing, Media & Communications

Delivery of events and initiatives by preparing marketing materials and social media content, design and promotion of DWL's programs, managing DWL's social media platforms in consultation with event teams and undertaking certain projects such as the DWL Podcast and Annual Journal .

Membership & Operations

Maintaining and servicing DWL’s membership database, preparing reports on membership and sponsorship engagement for DWL's board, facilitating queries from members and sponsors and considering ways to expand our reach to DWL members across the country.

Annual Cultural Showcase Project Team

This team is responsible for the organisation and planning of the annual DWL Cultural Event. This event is aimed at highlighting the lived experiences of diverse women and showcasing their strengths and talents through storytelling, live music and cultural performances.

The event is attended by the most esteemed members of the legal profession and is filled with dynamic dances, moving speeches and stories which forge a sense of community. The aim of the event is to showcase the variety of cultures within the legal profession and celebrate how it can enrich our professional lives.

Application process & timeline

20 Dec 2024 Applications open

Submit your application by clicking the link below!

6 Jan 2025 Applications close

Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 6 Jan 2025

Shortlisted candidates contacted on a rolling basis

Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview on a rolling basis

Portfolio or Senior Manager Application

Student Volunteer Application

Please note that we treat all information as sensitive and handle it in accordance with privacy laws. You can access a copy of our privacy policy here.