2024 Volunteer Drive

Applications for 2024 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 2024 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 2024. 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 2024. 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 2-5 hours per week between February 2024 - November 2024, with flexibility for university and other commitments. .
Portfolio and Senior Managers must be available to commit approximately 4 - 5 hours per week between February 2023 - November 2023.
Eligibility

Student Volunteers must be currently studying a law degree (undergraduate or Juris Doctor) and be a DWL Member.
Portfolio Managers must be a DWL member, and 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 and a DWL Member.
Volunteers do not have to identify as Diverse Women. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
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.
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.

Criminal Law & Social Justice

Events and initiatives targeting social justice issues and careers in criminal law, raising awareness of careers within government, non-corporate organisations and CLCs, 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.

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.

Membership & Operations

Maintaining data and precedents within DWL's database, streamlining DWL’s systems and processes, preparing reports on membership and sponsorship engagement for DWL's board, facilitating queries from members and sponsors and maintaining DWL's membership database.

Application process & timeline

15 Dec 2023 Applications open

Submit your application by clicking the link below!

8 Jan 2024 Applications close

Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 8 Jan 2024

Shortlisted candidates contacted on a rolling basis

Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to attend an interview

29 Jan 2024 Volunteers selected

A member of the DWL Team will be in touch with successful applicants to discuss training and onboarding requirements

Portfolio or Senior Manager Application

Student Volunteer Application

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