All first year students participating in the program are reminded  mentor-mentee agreement forms are due at the Careers Office by 5pm, Thursday 17 May (unless by special arrangement with me). These forms are very important for insurance purposes and help students and mentors to develop a clearer understanding of what both can expect from the mentoring relationship.

All students participating in the program should have contacted/met their mentor by now. If you have not, contact me now on (03) 8344 1000 or email h.green@unimelb.edu.au

May is a great time to contact your mentor and set up the next appointment, perhaps for the mid year break. The semester break provides a great opportunity to meet your mentor, shadow them for a day etc.

Remember, that as the assessment period approaches, mentors might be able to offer you some study advice, exam preparation techniques so ask if the opportunity arises or drop them a line.

The Public Interest Careers Panel will be held on Thursday 17 May at 1pm in GM17.

Here is your opportunity to learn about a variety of positions in the public interest or social justice sector from five experienced lawyers.

The presentation will be facilitated by Jo Kerr, Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative at Melbourne Law School.

The speakers attending are:

Peter Noble and Anna Howard - Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, Bendigo

Anna Howard, a graduate of MLS, remained doubtful that a legal career was for her until she found the right fit as a social justice/community lawyer. After completing articles at a large corporate firm, Anna worked as a native title lawyer in the Torres Strait and later in Victoria. She is now the Principal Lawyer of the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, based in Bendigo.

Peter Noble - Peter is currently the Coordinator of the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre in Bendigo. Peter studied law at the University of Queensland and practiced at the Brisbane firm Delaney & Delaney, before moving to Victoria where he worked for three years at the Fitzroy Legal Service. In 2005 he moved to Bendigo to help establish the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre. In 2008 he was awarded Community Lawyer of the Year by the Law Institute of Victoria, and the centre won the Tim McCoy award for its outstanding work.

Chris Povey, Homeless Persons Legal Clinic, PILCH

Chris Povey is a lawyer who has worked extensively with disadvantaged and vulnerable clients. He has worked as Principal Lawyer of the Tenants' Union of Victoria and with the human rights and civil justice section of Victoria Legal Aid. In his current role as Manager and Principal Lawyer of the PILCH Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic, Chris is responsible for the operation of multiple legal clinics delivering civil law services to clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Sarah Westwood, Deputy Managing Lawyer, Commonwealth Crime Team, Victoria Legal Aid, Criminal Law Melbourne

Sarah Westwood leads the recently established Commonwealth Crime Team at Victoria Legal Aid. Before joining Victoria Legal Aid in 2009, Sarah worked for three years as a criminal defence lawyer for the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia and she has worked in private practice in Melbourne as a lawyer since 1999 in employment and criminal law.

Kate Fischer, PILCH Connect

Kate is a Senior Lawyer at PILCHConnect and has worked at PILCH since 2003. Prior to that, Kate lectured in law at the University of Melbourne and worked in a commercial law firm. Kate's main role at PILCHConnect is coordinating the legal training and information programs for community groups, as well as presenting training with other members of the PILCHConnect team.

Register for this event at http://careersonline.unimelb.edu.au/workgroups/law-school-careers-office/events/523839

First year JD Students. I will now be available for regular meetings with students  on Thursday afternoons, commencing Thursday 17 May.

Bookings may be made in the usual way via Careers Online.  15 minute appointment" Meet with Mentor Program Coordinator", Melbourne Law School.

I encourage you to book in and to call in and have a chat with me about any aspect of the program. I am always happy to talk with students so let me know how you are going and whether you need any assistance, advice or have suggestions to offer.

All students participating in the mentor program should have contacted their mentor by now.

Mentor - mentee agreement forms are due at the Careers office no later than Thursday 17 May.

If you are having trouble contacting your mentor and have made two attempts (phone and email), please contact me and I will assist.

Students with queries should contact me on (03) 8344 1000 or h.green@unimelb.edu.au

Take part in the many debates and discussions about legal and human rights issues, and speak to prominent legal practitioners   Run by the Victorian Law Foundation,  Law Week is their largest community program. It involves hundreds of community and legal organisations across Victoria. Check out their facebook pages or click on the link below

http://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/news-a-events/law-week/calendar

Don't miss out on applying for the internships at Social Security Rights Victoria (closes next Monday) and the Judicial College of Victoria (closes today).

Find out more on the Job section of the Law School Workgroup: http://careersonline.unimelb.edu.au/workgroups/law-school-careers-office/jobs - don't forget this is a fantastic way to gain practical experience and completing a subject in one!