Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie on Secondment

Stephanie Hill is a paralegal, completing a secondment from Corrs Chambers Westgarth, assisting in the legal team at Oxfam Australia.

1.  Can you tell us about the relationship between Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Oxfam Australia?  

Corrs Chambers Westgarth is Australia’s leading independent law firm and has a long and proud history of helping those in need through the firm’s Pro Bono & Community program. As part of this program, Corrs Chambers Westgarth provides pro bono legal services to Oxfam Australia. Corrs Chambers Westgarth has a longstanding partnership with Oxfam Australia, which has existed for over 30 years.

2.  Your volunteer role is a secondment from Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Can you tell us what that means? 

My volunteer role is a secondment from Corrs Chambers Westgarth. This means that I have temporarily joined Oxfam Australia’s in-house legal team to provide assistance as a paralegal. I remain a Corrs Chambers Westgarth employee while working for Oxfam Australia on a pro bono basis.

3.  What has been your best experience working at Oxfam Australia so far? 

I have valued the opportunity to be exposed to complex and challenging matters and apply my practical legal skills in an in-house legal team. I have particularly enjoyed assisting the Legal team advising on the Trailwalker event, as this is a key fundraising activity for Oxfam Australia. However, my best experience would be working alongside a team at Oxfam Australia who are committed to relieving and eliminating poverty. It has been inspiring to work with so many likeminded people, who are committed to making a real and meaningful difference to our communities both in Australia and overseas.

4.  What do you like to do when you are not tackling poverty at Oxfam Australia? 

Following lockdown last year, I have been trying to explore all that Melbourne has to offer. This means that on my weekends you will likely find me surfing somewhere down the coast, trying out the newest restaurant or attending the latest event in the city.

5. Any final thoughts you’d like to share with us? 

Although my secondment with Oxfam Australia is coming to an end, it has been a pleasure to assist Oxfam Australia in achieving its mission. I thank those who I have worked with for the mentorship and for supporting my development as a junior lawyer, and look forward to remaining a part of the ‘Oxfamily’.