# Application for Policy Lawyer ([Environmental Defenders Office](https://www.edo.org.au)) 4 February 2011 ### Dear ████████ I am writing to apply for the position of Policy Lawyer at the Environmental Defenders Office in Sydney. I attach a CV for your perusal and a statement addressing the selection criteria is set out below. I am originally from the UK and moved to Australia with my partner. I am residing in Australia long-term on a de facto partner visa that allows me to work full-time. My notice period is one week. While I am not yet a qualified lawyer, I feel that my research experience and commitment to environmental issues make me an ideal candidate for this position. I am willing to fund the cost of admission as a solicitor in New South Wales if this is required for this role. Selection Criteria Statement ### Qualifications I graduated from the University of Nottingham with upper second-class honours in Law (with American Law) (LL.B). As part of this degree, I completed a one year exchange at the University of Texas. I am currently studying for a Masters of Environmental Law at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where I have attained a distinction average thus far. Understanding of Policy Development Processes and Environmental Legal Issues I have recently developed my understanding of policy development processes by working as a Paralegal in the Energy and Resources group at Freehills, where my work often involves writing memorandums regarding current environmental and mining law policy developments. I also work as a Research Assistant at the Initiative on Climate Change Law and Policy at UNSW, which similarly involves researching and summarising policy developments. Furthermore, I am currently working on two projects relating to environmental policy development. The first is a paper discussing the readiness of Australia’s transmission network to connect large-scale renewable energy generators. This paper traces the development of policy from inception to publication by the federal government. The second is a submission to a public consultation in the UK regarding the structure of a proposed feed-in tariff policy. These experiences have helped me to understand how policy is made, including how public consultations are conducted, how consultation submissions are written and how policy agencies respond to these submissions. As a Paralegal and Research Assistant I have not only learned about policy processes, but also acquired in-depth knowledge of areas of many areas of environmental law, particularly in NSW, but also nationally and internationally. At university I have studied Comparative Environmental Law, International Climate Change Law and International Wildlife Law. Next semester I will be studying Renewable Energy Law and Australian Environmental Law. I have written a thesis about climate change law, which has been published in a peer-reviewed journal and I recently won the EDO and Maddocks student essay writing competition with my essay on the regulation of the voluntary carbon market. ### Communication Skills I have broad experience communicating with a wide range of people, and am able to recognise and adapt to the circumstances, adopting different styles of communication as appropriate. Shadowing a Crown Court Judge provided me with experience communicating with senior members of the judiciary, as well as with court staff, while completing two mini-pupillages allowed me to work with Barristers and clients. As a Paralegal I liaise with Partners, Senior Associates and Lawyers of varying levels of seniority on a regular basis and I previously acted as a Student Attorney for the University of Texas Capital Punishment Clinic, which involved communicating with other students, Lawyers, former jurors and, most challengingly, death row inmates. I am a confident speaker who also realises the importance of listening. I have been involved in debating and performed well in university mooting competitions. Last year I was a member of my university’s delegation to the World Model United Nations Conference, where I had to speak in front of, and negotiate with, 400 other delegates. I am always keen to improve my communication skills, and have obtained basic qualifications in sign language and counselling. I am able to write clearly and concisely in plain English. I have volunteered for the Activist Legal Project researching and writing a guide for students detailing their legal rights to freedom of speech on university campuses. As well as detailed research into the legal position, this involved rewriting the information in language intelligible to all students. As a Paralegal and Research Assistant, I frequently have to précis very large and complex documents, writing in clear and simple language, while also accurately conveying the full meaning of the original document. Working for the Capital Punishment Clinic involved interviewing jurors, to whom I had to explain complex legal issues in simple, non-legal language. ### Research Skills I have consistently demonstrated excellent research skills. In addition to writing two theses, one on climate change law and one on the liability of parent companies for the torts of their subsidiaries which is currently under review, and winning the EDO student writing competition, a research article I wrote about international non-governmental organisations has recently been selected for publication in an acclaimed development journal. As a Research Assistant I am conducting detailed legal research for Australia’s first book on the topic of renewable energy law, researching potential regulatory avenues for the exploitation of deep-sea genetic resources and exploring the interactions between renewable energy and electricity distribution systems. This involves utilising consultation documents, Government policy documents, case law, legislation and academic literature. Working at Freehills requires a broad range of research skills, including using case law databases and searching internal systems to locate precedents and other relevant information. ### Work Ethic I am a very organised person, as demonstrated by my ability to manage studying for a Masters Degree while also working two part-time jobs, working on my own research projects, and maintaining a social life. As a Research Assistant I am given tasks that I must complete in my own time, requiring me to organise my study and personal life to ensure that I can complete the tasks within tight deadlines. As a Paralegal I am frequently presented with numerous tasks at once and I have to plan, focus and be flexible in order to complete the tasks within a short timeframe and continue to work to the high standard I expect of myself. In both jobs I work with very little supervision, ordinarily being given initial instructions and no further assistance. While I generally work alone and am comfortable with this working environment, I also enjoy working with a small team. I am a diligent worker, and always work to the best of my ability, as I feel that anything less is a poor reflection on my capabilities and me. I work efficiently and thrive working under pressure with tight deadlines. ### Commitment to Environmental Issues I have long been involved in environmental activism. While at the University of Nottingham, I organised a climate change solutions conference, which was highly successful and has since become an annual event. At the age of 17 I became a vegan, largely for environmental reasons. At university I founded the Vegetarian and Vegan Society in order to promote more sustainable food choices. The society went from strength to strength and has continued to thrive since I left university. In the UK I was involved in the planning of the Camp for Climate Action and attended the yearly Climate Change March in London. Environmental issues and environmental law are my passion, and I am committed to building a long-term career in this area. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, PAGE PAGE 2 POLICY LAWYER ### Environmental Defenders Office Ltd The EDO is a community legal centre specialising in public interest advocacy regarding environmental law and policy. We are seeking a Policy Lawyer to be part of a highly active and successful legal policy team. The Policy Lawyer will research and write submissions on high profile government proposals, develop discussion papers and other active policy initiatives, play a key stakeholder role in issues relating to environmental law and policy and provide legal policy advice to environmental groups. Salary $40,266 to $64,878 (depending on experience) plus superannuation. Applications should be submitted via email to HYPERLINK "mailto:[REDACTED EMAIL]" recruitment with 'Application for position of Policy Lawyer' in the subject line. Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the selection criteria. Applications which do not address the selection criteria will not be considered. For further information contact ████████ on [REDACTED PHONE] or email HYPERLINK "mailto:[REDACTED EMAIL]" recruitment Applications close: Friday 4th February 2011, 5pm. Selection Criteria An undergraduate degree in law A sound understanding of environmental policy development processes A NSW practising certificate, or eligibility for admission to legal practice in NSW Excellent written and oral communication skills, including an ability to communicate clearly in plain English High level research skills An excellent understanding of NSW, national and international environmental legal issues The ability to work with minimal supervision and to tight deadlines Commitment to the protection of the environment and public interest environmental law Duty Statement The duties of the Policy Lawyer are: 1) Policy and law reform responding to State and federal government policy and legislative proposals on important public interest environmental and planning law issues preparing written submissions and proactive discussion papers on topical issues, and appearing at parliamentary inquiries preparing drafting instructions for legislative proposals and amendments developing policy positions on specific public interest environmental and planning law issues undertaking legal consultancy work on behalf of conservation groups liaising, and attending meetings, with relevant stakeholders, including ELO meetings 2) Community Education participating in conference and legal education work generally preparing and presenting papers and workshops writing plain English educational materials preparing articles for EDO publications 3) Legal advice providing written and telephone advice to the public on a wide range of public interest environmental and planning law issues under supervision 4) Administration assisting with office administration, such as library, computer and precedent systems maintaining appropriate records word-processing of own work 5) General All staff have a responsibility to: develop and maintain a good knowledge of the role and policies of the EDO represent the EDO in a positive and effective manner attend, and contribute actively and constructively at staff meetings seek opportunities for personal and professional development, particularly related to the specific areas of responsibility detailed below assist in organising and supervising volunteers respond to requests by clients and fellow staff in a knowledgeable, professional, constructive and polite manner provide accurate and timely data on activities for the information of funding bodies Legal Aid NSW.