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1. Why I Started Volunteering
What’s the meaning of life? Does it exist on its own, or do we only create it by searching for it?
For me, I’ve always believed that the meaning of life exists independently — but discovering it, and actively giving meaning to your actions, is what makes life more fulfilling.
That belief is what led me to start volunteering in dog shelters several years ago. I’ve always loved animals, and I wanted to take part in something meaningful and responsible — something that mattered, even in a small way.
But over time, I felt a quiet urge to do something more meaningful — something that would create a stronger and more direct impact on the beings I was helping, not just in action but in significance.
2. Discovering Pro Bono – A New Kind of Fulfilment
When I began law school, everything felt a little chaotic — I didn’t have a clear sense of direction and was simply dipping my toes into different things, trying to find my footing. But in the midst of that, one subject — Ethics, Law and Justice — introduced me to something that stuck with me: pro bono work — legal services provided for free to people who cannot afford them.
What struck me was that lawyer — a profession often viewed as cold or overly commercial — voluntarily choose to use their skills to serve vulnerable communities. In a world where time is meticulously billed in six-minute increments, the act of offering legal expertise for free felt surprisingly human.
Even more powerful was the fact that many of the people accessing pro bono services are going through the most difficult periods of their lives. For them, legal advice isn’t just helpful — it’s often their last lifeline. That image stayed with me.
3. Pro Bono vs Legal Volunteering – What’s the Difference?
At this point, you might be wondering — is “pro bono” the same as “legal volunteering”?
Not exactly. Pro bono work is typically carried out by qualified legal practitioners (such as solicitors or barristers) who offer free legal services to clients in need. Legal volunteering, on the other hand, is a broader umbrella that includes students, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
From reception duties to client intake to legal research, these support roles are crucial to how community legal centres operate — and they’re often where students like me can start contributing early in our law journey.
4. Starting from Scratch – My First Legal Volunteering Experience
After learning about pro bono work, I wanted to get involved — even as a first-year student. But finding opportunities wasn’t easy. Most community legal centres I came across online required volunteers to be in their penultimate or final year of study.
Still, I kept searching — and that’s when I found Marrickville Legal Centre, which accepted applications from students at all year levels.
I applied for a client intake volunteer position — one of the few roles open to early-year students. At first, they were a little hesitant because I was only in my first year.
But during the interview, as we spoke more, I explained that I was confident in working with people and handling conversations. After hearing that, they said the role might actually suit me well — since it focuses heavily on communication with clients rather than legal advice. They ended up referring me to the centre.
Not long after, I was offered the position — and I couldn’t have been more excited.
At first, I wasn’t sure — would this role really feel relevant to law?
But during the induction session, I learned that client intake staff are often the first point of contact for people seeking legal help. They speak with clients, listen to their concerns, and help identify what kind of legal support they might need. Hearing this, I came to see just how vital the intake role is — not only for the centre, but also for the clients who rely on them to access the right assistance.
Even better, the centre made it clear that after gaining experience and demonstrating commitment, there’s a strong possibility of transitioning into more legal-focused assisting roles — including supporting solicitors and contributing to real client matters in the future.
It was incredibly encouraging to know that this isn’t just administrative work, but a genuine pathway into meaningful legal experience. For any law student looking to get involved early on, it’s an opportunity well worth considering.
5. Final Thoughts – Why You Should Try It Too
Attending the induction at a legal centre gave me something I didn’t expect — a clearer sense of direction, renewed motivation, and the feeling that I was finally stepping toward something meaningful. It reminded me that purpose isn’t always found in grand achievements or perfectly mapped plans. Sometimes, it starts by simply deciding to show up.
If you’re a law student looking to find meaning beyond grades and lectures, or hoping to get involved in something real, legal volunteering might be a good place to start. You don’t need to wait until your final year. You just need curiosity, commitment — and a bit of courage to take the first step.
Written by Eve, First-Year Law Student at UTS