Salvos Legal celebrates milestone
Salvos Legal Managing Partner, Luke Geary. (Photo: Shairon Paterson)
This month marks the first anniversary of the opening of an innovative Salvation Army legal service designed to help those most in need.
In July last year, the Army launched a high-end commercial law firm to raise money for a humanitarian service that provides advice and representation to people in need. In a world first for the Army, Salvos Legal has a unique business model that allows it to operate independently of donations. It is the only law firm of its type in Australia and operates from six locations in Sydney and two in Brisbane – dealing with more than 260 cases free of charge every fortnight without any government funding.
The firm’s commercial operations run parallel to its humanitarian arm, with the profits from property and transactional services funding the employment of specialist lawyers who offer free representation to society’s most disadvantaged. Humanitarian services offered include criminal law, family and children’s law, welfare, debt, housing and refugee and immigration law.
Highly qualified lawyers and migration agents also volunteer their time at Salvos Legal Humanitarian. Migration agent, Paul Gorgees, who came to Australia from Iraq as a refugee in 1993, is one of the many people who volunteer their services.
“I see people with migration issues and help with family reunions,” says Paul who is based at Fairfield in Sydney. “Because I have had that same experience, I want to help others as much as possible on their journey.”
In the 12 months that Salvos Legal has been operating, Managing Partner Luke Geary says staff and volunteers have dealt with more than 5000 matters for people.
“We exist to give those less fortunate the help they so very dearly need,” says Luke. “In the past year we have seen people reunited with their families, we’ve worked with many refugees, victims of domestic violence, criminal cases, mental health issues … we do our best for whoever walks through our doors.”
Salvos Legal in Sydney operates in Surry Hills, Miranda, Auburn, Campsie, Parramatta and Lakemba. In Brisbane, it operates at Goodna and Stafford.
To find out how you can be involved, contact Salvos Legal on: (02) 9213 3910. No legal experience is necessary to volunteer.
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