The University of Southern Queensland School of Law and Justice will build upon its long-standing relationship with TASC Legal and Social Justice Services to offer volunteer opportunities for USQ law students and alumni.
Past and present law students will have the opportunity to connect with TASC in a volunteer capacity and gain practical experience in a community legal centre setting, as well as support increased access to law and justice services in regional and rural Queensland.
TASC provides free legal, advocacy and social justice services in Goondiwindi, Roma, Stanthorpe, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Southwest Queensland.
USQ Professor of Law Caroline Hart said there’s been significant contributions of time and support between the USQ School of Law and Justice and the local legal profession over many years.
“So many USQ law alumni have gone on to have incredible careers and that’s in part due to the opportunities they’ve been provided with to succeed through studying close to home, with the additional mentorship of local law practitioners including TASC,” Professor Hart said.
“Service to others and to our communities is an element of legal practice, and this is evident in the origins of TASC that was formed out of the generosity of local practitioners,” she said.
“We hope many of our alumni will continue this tradition of ‘service’ as an important and honourable element of being a great lawyer.”
CEO of TASC Legal and Social Justice Services, Frances Klaassen OAM, said the service will benefit from continuing to provide students and alumni find volunteer or career pathways at TASC and beyond.
“Our organisation has been operating in the region for nearly 40 years and has a history of supporting those in need over the decades,” she said.
“We have seen significant growth over the last twelve months, so we are looking forward to welcoming more volunteers and students into the TASC family.” An interactive online Panel Discussion around volunteer experiences and opportunities associated with TASC will be held on November 10, 2021. Attend via Zoom here: https://usq.zoom.us/j/88576642204 or contact Professor Hart here: caroline.hart@unisq.edu.au.