At Marrickville Legal Centre, our work is fueled by the generosity and unwavering support of our community members, partners, and volunteers. In this article, we spoke to one of our valued volunteer Solicitors, Oliver Lacey, a Senior Associate at Doolan Wagner Family Lawyers, a specialist family law firm in North Sydney, to find out more about his work and motivations for volunteering his time with MLC.
How long have you been a volunteer with MLC?
I’ve been volunteering at MLC almost weekly since around August 2022.
What do you do as a volunteer with MLC?
I assist with MLC’s Family Law Advice Nights, which offers free legal advice to people in the Inner West, Southwest and Southern suburbs of Sydney. Most of our clients are disadvantaged, have experienced family violence or simply can’t afford a lawyer.
I typically conduct one-or-two interviews a night with clients on a range of family law issues, including divorce, parenting, property settlements, spousal maintenance, litigation and Family Dispute Resolution. I then give advice and refer them to where they can get support – whether it be Relationships Australia, Legal Aid or a private lawyer.
What prompted you to volunteer with MLC?
I live in Marrickville and enjoy giving back to the community.
I’m also applying to become an accredited specialist in family law. One of the assessments is a simulated first interview with a person acting as a family law client. MLC’s Family Law Advice Nights give me additional opportunities outside of work to hone my knowledge and interviewing skills ahead of my assessments.
Do you think your volunteering efforts have a tangible impact on the community?
Definitely. Community legal centres are often the first point of contact for people who are in the early stages of separation. Our advice can often give them that push in the right direction that allows them to resolve matters with their former partner. This is particularly important when you consider that 97% of all family law matters are resolved outside of court.
There is also a gap in legal services for lower-to-middle income people who are ineligible for Legal Aid but can’t afford a private lawyer. Community legal centres can often be the difference between them getting legal advice and not.
Can you share an example of a positive experience you’ve had while volunteering with MLC?
Just last week I advised a self-represented litigant on a case in which the father was seeking to relocate with the children to a non-Hague Convention country in the Middle East. The case also involved significant allegations of family violence and I was able to provide direction on obtaining evidence from the police and Department of Communities and Justice at the next court hearing.
I had another matter with a client from an East Asian country. She was the victim of family violence but had ended up with a minor criminal charge and ADVO which put her visa at risk. With the assistance of an interpreter, I was able to advise her in relation to her family law matter and point her to where she could get assistance in relation to her criminal charges and Visa.
How has volunteering with MLC impacted your own personal or professional development?
Disadvantaged clients typically have difficult legal problems and limited resources. Volunteering at MLC is professionally challenging as you need to identify simple, practical solutions to complex legal problems. It’s personally rewarding assisting people through one of the most difficult times of their lives to move on financially and improve their relationships with their children.
I’d strongly recommend volunteering, especially for young lawyers who are looking to improve their skills and learn from other lawyers. The nights can be a lot of fun and the team at MLC is great to work with. If you’re interested, you should definitely sign up!
