OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKING PARTY
1. Further develop & implement the Indigenous Barristers’ Strategy approved by the Bar Council.
2. Devise & implement fund raising strategies for the Indigenous Barristers’ Trust.
3. Liaise with the Equal Opportunity Committee on issues involving Indigenous barristers.
4. Create further employment opportunities at the NSW Bar for Indigenous law students.
5. Liaise with other agencies to create further employment opportunities for recent Indigenous law graduates to work as solicitors, judges’ associates and in other appropriate areas of legal work.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS LEGAL CONFERENCE 2011, 12-13 AUGUST AT DOCKSIDE, COCKLE BAY WHARF, DARLING PARK, SYDNEY
The National Indigenous Legal Conference is an annual event in which the Indigenous legal sector (Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners, academics and law students) come together to consider and discuss matters of national and regional importance. The legal issues in focus this year include: Indigenous Rights, Governance, Sentencing, Client Engagement, Cultural Protection, Identity, Special Measures and the Northern Territory Intervention. This year’s National Indigenous Legal Conference will provide a forum for scrutiny and discussion of these pressing and important legal and social matters. The event will be held in Sydney, New South Wales and will be jointly hosted by the NSW Bar Association and the Ngalaya (the Indigenous lawyers and law students association of NSW).
INDIGENOUS BARRISTERS' TRUST: THE MUM SHIRL FUND
A special trust fund was established in 2002 to create a pool of funds to provide financial assistance to Indigenous barristers, especially in their first few years of practice and to Indigenous law students. The fund has deductible gift recipient status as a public benevolent institution under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth). Members of the association continue to make generous donations to the trust so it can meet the needs of Indigenous law students, graduates and barristers.
View a video about the Indigenous Barristers' Trust
A promotional video, which explains the history and role of the trust fund may be downloaded in formats which use the following media players (which may be downloaded free of charge):
INDIGENOUS LAW STUDENTS
The Indigenous Barristers Strategy Working Party has developed two programs, mentoring and employment, that provide assistance and advice to Indigenous lawyers and law students. One main objective is to increase the number of Indigenous barristers at the NSW Bar.
Mentoring Indigenous Law Students
The purpose of the mentoring program is to provide opportunities for barristers to share their wealth of information and life experiences with Indigenous law students or Indigenous young lawyers. If you are a barrister interested in mentoring, please fill out this form. If you are an Indigenous student or young lawyer interested in this program, please fill out this form or contact Chris Ronalds SC via e-mail or on 9229 7378. We will then attempt to match you with an appropriate barrister or student depending on experiences/interests.
Employment for Indigenous law students
All barristers, clerks and chambers are encouraged to offer causal or part-time employment opportunities for Indigenous law students. Ideally this would be for a day or half a day each week on a regular basis involving tasks such as loose-leaf filing, administrative or clerical tasks or research. If you have are able to offer any employment or you are an interested Indigenous law student, please contact Chris Ronalds SC at ronalds@fjc.net.au or on 9229 7378.
EVENTS
An evening with Monique Coleman
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On Monday 7 February 2011, the Indigenous Barristers Trust funded a cocktail evening with Monique Coleman at ECQ Bar, Quay Grand. Monique Coleman, successful film and television star, was appointed the first ‘Youth Champion’ by the United Nations at the end of 2010. She commenced her self-funded world tour in Sydney and aims to raise awareness about the challenges facing young people and promote the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and solidarity across generations, cultures, religions and civilisations.
Pre-law visit to New South Wales Bar Association 2010
On Tuesday 14 December 2010, 20 Indigenous students attended the NSW Bar Association pre-law function. The morning opened with presentations from barristers from different practices and backgrounds on the topic of “life as a barrister”. The students then attended the Supreme Court with Justice Slattery who after the conclusion of the hearing, spoke to the students about his experiences. An informal lunch concluded the afternoon..
DONATING TO THE TRUSTUse your credit card to make a donation. All major cards accepted. Alternatively, you may arrange to have regular payments debited from your bank account.The Indigenous Barristers' Trust - The Mum Shirl Fund is an eligible deductible gift recipient. Learn More >>
IBSWP resources menu
members of the working party
Chris Ronalds SC (chair)
Daniel Howard SC
His Honour Judge Andrew Haesler
Mullenjaiwakka
Peter Miller
Tony McAvoy
Professor David Barker
Professor Larissa Behrendt
Professor Christine Forster
Bar Association Staff Member
Joss Separovic
partners for progress
Useful links