Lawyers for Animals seeks expressions of interest for a vacant position on our Executive Committee. The Committee is responsible for overseeing projects undertaken by LFA, determining the future direction of the association and managing the Animal Law Clinic in conjunction with Fitzroy Legal Service.

Position

This position, which commences in July 2014, involves attendance at our monthly Committee meetings and undertaking the functions of LFA Treasurer for 12 months. You would also have the option of advising clients directly at the Animal Law Clinic. Each Committee member typically attends one client appointment every five to six weeks.

The role of Treasurer requires a time commitment of no more than one hour per month. Your responsibilities would include banking, preparation of some basic tax forms, and preparation of LFA’s annual financial statements. You would be provided with a comprehensive handover and ongoing support in this role.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to join the Committee, you must be admitted to practice but need not be a practising lawyer.  However, to advise at the Clinic you must hold – or be entitled to hold – an unrestricted practising certificate (including an unrestricted volunteer PC).

For more information or to express your interest in this position, please email our current Treasurer, Katherine Cooke: Katherine@lawyersforanimals.org.au.

LFA Newsletter – April

This edition includes information about upcoming animal law events and a case note on the recent Japanese whaling decision handed down by the International Court of Justice.

LFA Newsletter – March.

Volunteer Picnic

LFA Newsletter – February.

LFA President, Nichola Donovan, shared the following message in the LFA 2013 Year In Review.

Personally, and on behalf of LFA, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the amazing team of people who make LFA the progressive, friendly and active organisation it is. This especially includes: our current and former Executive; our legal and administrative Clinic volunteers; our project volunteers; and our everyday members, without whose continuing financial and communications support we would be unable to operate. Our continuing thanks also to Kindness Trust for providing us with a lovely ‘home base’ and meeting space in Kindness House. Here’s to consolidating our 2013 achievements and growing more active for the animals in 2014!

Picture: Jo-Anna Robinson Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

Lawyers for Animals and Victorian Women Lawyers will host an Animal Law discussion on 19 June 2013.

Join us for a vegan breakfast and hear Shatha Hamade speak about the key issues faced by lawyers in advocating for positive animal welfare outcomes through the law.

Shatha is Legal Counsel for Animals Australia. As former Legal Counsel for RSPCA SA, Shatha has extensive experience in animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions. She is the former national coordinator of the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel, a national organisation dedicated to promoting and fostering advocacy for the welfare of animals, and comprising over Australian 100 barristers. In 2012, Shatha was awarded Australian Young Lawyer of the Year by the Law Council of Australia for her significant contribution to animal law and welfare in Australia.

Shatha will address the barriers to reaching the public consciousness and changing community attitudes towards animals. Shatha will also provide a personal account of her experience as an RSPCA prosecutor, to give insight into how and why domestic and production animals are abused in our community, and the systemic issues that we, as lawyers and advocates, need to address to help prevent this cruelty.

Date: Wednesday 19 June 2013
Time: 7.30 am
Venue: Maddocks, 140 William St, Melbourne

Cost:
$15 for VWL and Lawyers for Animals members
$25 for non-members

Click here to register for this event

The Hon. Justice Marcia Neave and Adjunct Professor Rob Hulls launching the Animal Law Clinic at Friends of the Earth on 9 May 2013 (photo – Lea Croyden). Click here to see more photos

The Hon. Justice Marcia Neave and Adjunct Professor Rob Hulls

Lawyers for Animals has partnered with the Fitzroy Legal Service to provide an Animal Law Clinic. The Clinic runs every Friday evening. Please contact Fitzroy Legal Service to make an appointment.

Please note that this clinic operates with the primary motivation of animal welfare.