Focus on Law Societies: Lawyers Without Borders Student Division at QUT (LWOB QUT)
Lawyers Without Borders QUT Student Division (‘LWOB QUT’) is a not-for-profit student organisation that aims to promote human rights. The organisation also aims to providing charitable support for Lawyers Without Borders Inc (‘LWOB’). Our mission is to foster a value for pro bono work amongst law students and provide opportunities for students to engage with access to justice and rule of law issues. We were the first Lawyers Without Borders student division of Australia, having formed in December 2018 and opening membership in February 2019.
In 2019 we were fortunate enough to be sponsored by a leading independent Australian law firm, Hall & Wilcox. Through their partnership with us, the firm demonstrated their commitment to the broader community. Additionally, the firm conducts substantial pro bono work, community initiatives and partnerships, sustainable environmental and supply chain practices and their Emerging Artists Program.
LWOB QUT has grown quickly and, in just over a year, has reached hundreds of students from faculties across QUT.
The Division’s unique portfolio is the Research Team. It usually consists of 12 student volunteers, dedicating their time and skills to complete assigned tasks from Lawyers Without Borders Inc. These issues invariably focus on human rights/access to justice issues. One of our key research projects was preparing two chapters of a Pro Se Litigation Manual to be distributed in Kenya. The manual aimed to empower women in Kenya, who cannot access legal representation, by educating them about their legal rights. Some of our other research projects included:
Compiling a checklist and pamphlet for LWOB’s Trafficking in Person (TIP);
Analysing housing land and property restitution and other human rights violations in the Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia; and
Creating a pamphlet to help individuals seeking work overseas.
There is more to us than research! LWOB QUT strived to equip future lawyers and professionals to build support in the rule of law sectors around the world.
We have an amazing Events Team that hosts both social and educational events throughout the yea. Some of our events include trivia nights, panel discussions, professional network evenings, workout events and end of year parties. Recently, we held our Human Rights Panel Discussion which focused on raising awareness on human trafficking and modern slavery. The panel consisted of an impressive range of industry professionals and academics including Dr Hope Johnson, Dr Erin O’Brien, Dr Kate van Doore, Richard Hundt, Greg Vickery AO, Nerilee Sowter and Reimen Hii.
If you would like to get involved you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @lwobQUT. Additionally, you can become a member via our Facebook page. Membership is $10 and gives you access to discounted tickets to our events and allows you to participate in our research fellowships.
Finally – come to our events! It’s a great way to meet people!
Join us in crossing borders to make a difference!
Article written by Lawyers Without Borders Student Division at QUT (LWOB QUT)
This article appeared in the Torts Illustrated New Decades, New Horizons (2020) Publication