The University of Queensland Pro Bono Centre acknowledged the work of community spirited law students at an awards ceremony yesterday.
Certificates were presented to more than 50 students who participated in pro bono community legal projects during 2012 and 2013.
Director of the UQ Pro Bono Centre Monica Taylor said the students uphold a core value of the legal profession by undertaking voluntary work which makes a difference to society.
“This event is a chance to thank our student volunteers and the Centre’s partners and supporters who make it possible to provide learning experiences that further access to justice for marginalised people in our community,” Ms Taylor said.
“The strength of students' commitment to pro bono work is evidenced by their achievements in a number of areas, including legal research and writing."
Ms Taylor said the event would inspire other law students to get involved in the Centre’s activities, and provided an opportunity for the Centre’s donors to meet the students and learn more about the valuable work they do.
“An investment in the Pro Bono Centre enables students to participate in transformative learning encounters; it’s fulfilling to share these success stories and to hear the positive comments from students about the work they’ve been involved in,” Ms Taylor said.
Professor Sarah Derrington, Head of School and Academic Dean of Law presented certificates to the students to acknowledge their involvement in projects ranging from public interest research and high school outreach programs, to providing casework assistance to pro bono lawyers.
During the event, guest speaker Ms Carla Klease, a barrister and UQ graduate, shared her insights on maintaining a career-long pro bono commitment.
Law student Ms Valentine Dubois said her placement with Arts Law Queensland was a good way to gain practical legal research experience.
“I was able to apply my theoretical understanding of the law and the research skills I had acquired during my studies to amend certain contractual agreements in an area of the law that was new to me,” she said.
“It was a very interesting exercise made more enjoyable by the constant guidance of Monica Taylor from the Pro Bono Centre and UQ Law School lecturer Dr Paul Harpur."
A full list of award recipients and their projects can be found here.
Media: UQ Pro Bono Centre Director Monica Taylor, (07) 3365 6192 / 0431 866 344, m.taylor@law.uq.edu.au or Melissa Reynolds 07 3365 2523, m.reynolds@law.uq.edu.au
