Fellowship Program

Background

During 2002, PILCH commenced the running of its Fellowship Program ('the Program').  PILCH has invited their member firms to sponsor a limited number of summer and winter clerks recruited to their firm to take up a further one or two week placement at PILCH in conjunction with their clerkship. While placed at PILCH, the students selected for Fellowships are paid the normal salary for a clerkship by the sponsoring law firm. Arrangements for the timing of the PILCH placement are made at the mutual convenience of PILCH, the firm and the individual student. Students placed at PILCH are involved in the day to day work of the organisation. They are supervised while working on referrals, projects and publications.

Objectives

The objectives of the Program are various. One of PILCH's objectives is to foster and promote interest within the legal profession in public interest pro bono law. It is increasingly clear that one of the most effective ways to promote pro bono work amongst the legal profession is to work with law students and young lawyers. Providing opportunities for law students and young lawyers to do pro bono work at an early stage of their careers engenders a commitment to pro bono work that will remain with them throughout their careers. The Program provides students with an opportunity to work in a public interest organisation, enabling them to gain a wide experience of the legal sector, in particular, the opportunity to become involved in work that raises issues of social justice. The Program also provides firms with the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to supporting public interest pro bono work.

Elements of a PILCH Fellowship

PILCH Fellows are involved in many aspects of the day to day work at PILCH. They may be asked to assist with:

• the review of files and matters for referral, including the preparation of memoranda and briefs;
• the preparation of PILCH newsletters and the Annual Report;
• research and production of special publications;
• organising special events, such as seminars for the legal community;
• observation of clinics attended by the Coordinator of the Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic.

Throughout the year, PILCH has the capacity to offer 8 Fellowship positions.  This program has been very sucessful and we hope to be able to expand it in the future.