Following a successful pilot season, this ground breaking legal service is celebrating its official launch this week.
Launched in September 2018 as a pilot, the Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service has now seen the provision of free legal advice to transgender and gender diverse clients for over 6 months. Operating every second Monday at the Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC), the service has provided legal assistance to almost 30 clients since its debut, allowing clients to access critical legal support relating to their gender status. The most common legal matters affecting clients to date have been civil law matters followed by family, criminal and employment law matters respectively.
Following a successful trial, ICLC and Dentons are proud to officially launch the service on 4 April 2019 – the first of its kind in Australia. Held at Dentons in Sydney, the event will celebrate the launch with guest speakers including Peta Friend, the founder of Trans Pride Australia; Vicki Harding, Director of Inner City Legal Centre and openly transgender man, Rhett Pearson.
“The demand for our Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service has been steady and the support exciting. It is gratifying to be able to offer a service that is genuinely appreciated,” says Vicki Harding from Inner City Legal Centre.
“We are proud to partner with the Inner City Legal Centre on this important initiative. This targeted legal service is the first pro bono service in Australia that focusses specifically on helping trans and gender diverse individuals. My hope is that the Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service will be the first of many free legal service outlets that are dedicated to supporting the trans and gender diverse community,” says Ben Allen, Partner, Dentons.
Trans and gender diverse people living in NSW who would like to access the service should call 02 9332 1966 to make an appointment.
About Dentons
Dentons is the world’s largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognised by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Labs and the Nextlaw Referral Network. Dentons’ polycentric approach and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work.
Media contact:
Erika Aligno, Communications and Fundraising Coordinator, ICLC 02 9332 1966 or
Vicki Harding, Centre Director, ICLC: 02 9332 1966.