The Bond Law Clinic

Real cases. Real clients. Real impact.

The Bond Law Clinic is Bond University’s own incorporated law firm on campus. As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a team delivering genuine pro bono legal services to real clients. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in areas such as commercial and consumer law, business structures, start-up and IP issues (like trademarks and copyright), property and leasing, contracts, franchising, debt disputes, and many other general legal matters. When you volunteer at the Bond Law Clinic, you’re not role playing, you're stepping into a regulated legal practice that provides legal services to the public. You can expect to:

  • Meet with clients alongside experienced lawyers. Clients may include small businesses, start-ups, not-for-profits and community members.
  • Review case files and client documents such as leases, contracts, loan agreements, or business registrations and analysing issues that shape a client’s matter.
  • Conduct targeted legal research to support advice on consumer law, IP, or business structures.
  • Draft file notes and letters of advice, learning how to translate complex legal analysis into clear, client focused communication. This includes articulating key legal issues and helping your supervising solicitor frame the advice strategy.
  • Build the professional habits employers look for, including legal research skills, attention to detail, file management, collaboration and confident client interaction.

It’s real stakes, real clients, real legal work...with a safety net.

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Realise your potential in the Legal Practice Pathway

The Legal Practice Pathway is your structured, five level progression from emerging practitioner to confident, practice‑ready professional. As you move through the pathway, you’ll take on progressively more complex responsibilities, develop the confidence to work directly with clients, and demonstrate the work ethic and practical skills that set graduates apart in the legal profession. This is more than volunteering; it’s a chance to contribute meaningfully to access to justice while building a portfolio of real experience that employers value. 

Explore how each level of the Legal Practice Pathway can set you up for success beyond graduation.

 

  • Level 1 - BLC Student

    Begin your Legal Practice Pathway by becoming familiar with the law clinic environment, including learning its processes, professional expectations, and how to conduct yourself in client‑focused settings. 

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  • Level 2 - BLC Trainee

    Working alongside external lawyers will deepen your understanding of collaborative legal practice. At this level, you’ll refine draft advice, observe professional decision‑making in action, and strengthen your ability to contribute meaningfully within a legal team.

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  • Level 3 - BLC Clerk

    At this level you will encounter opportunities to take the lead by identifying key legal issues, contributing substantively to client interviews, and helping shape the advice process alongside your peers. At this stage, you’ll demonstrate growing analytical maturity and a stronger voice within the clinic team.

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  • Level 4 - BLC Senior Clerk

    Take on greater responsibility by mentoring students and assessing new client enquiries for scope and potential conflicts, demonstrating your growing leadership and professional judgement. 

    Four people in business attire with laptops and notepads sitting around a office desk
  • Level 5 - BLC Champion

    At the Champion level, you will lead client interviews, carry out Lexon EMR compliance reviews, and serve as a representative of the clinic at various events. You will also contribute to the design of future projects and initiatives, applying your advanced expertise to support the clinic’s strategic direction.

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Level 1 - BLC Student

Begin your Legal Practice Pathway by becoming familiar with the law clinic environment, including learning its processes, professional expectations, and how to conduct yourself in client‑focused settings. 

Two young women are smiling as they walk on a sunny day.

Student FAQs

 

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Contact the coordinator

Sara Loughnan

Read more about the clinic

Volunteering alongside qualified solicitors has given me real-world experience. Here’s how I’m preparing for a career in law

Volunteering with Bond Law Clinic has given law student Sophia Langdon a real-world understanding of the theoretical concepts she learns in her program.

Read more

Note for community members

The information on this page is for Bond University law students.  If you are seeking free legal advice from the Bond Law Clinic, please click here.