From grants research to law reform: reflections of an intern

One of Nicole Pal's first pieces of work at VLF was research and analysis for a Victorian Law Reform Commission consultation. She was a law student, weeks into an internship, sitting in on discussions about complex legal and policy questions—and being asked what she thought.

"Being invited to contribute showed me I was trusted to think independently rather than simply observe," she says. "[VLF staff] were generous with their time, open in discussing complex legal and policy issues, and genuinely interested in my views."

Nicole is a final-year law student at Deakin University with a strong interest in access to justice, First Nations justice, and women's advocacy. She applied to VLF because of the mix. "VLF appealed to me because it brings together research, public legal education and grant-making," she says. "I wanted to understand how evidence is used to identify legal need, support the sector and improve [access to justice] across Victoria."

She got a close look at all three. With Principal Researcher Bridget McAloon, Nicole helped to develop a tagging system for VLF's grants research library, reviewed past grants for transferable lessons, and assisted in an emerging grant project designed to carry knowledge from one funded project to the next. With Research Program Manager Evie Ogier, she traced where VLF research has surfaced in parliamentary, government, regulatory, and international access to justice work. Watching that process showed her how "evidence can move from research into policy, service design and reform".

Nicole finishes her degree and Practical Legal Training next, and hopes to move into practice in areas that "challenge [her] intellectually and where [she] can contribute meaningfully". Wherever that lands, she wants access to justice, First Nations justice, and women's advocacy to stay central to how she approaches the law.

She's leaving with a broader view of what good legal work involves. "VLF reinforced that strong legal work is not only about legal analysis," she says. "Research, lived experience and community knowledge are important in understanding how legal systems operate and respond effectively to the people they serve."

And a sense of the kind of workplace she's looking for: "thoughtful, collaborative and focused on making a practical difference."

Nicole completed her internship as part of VLF's student internship program. To hear when applications next open, subscribe to our newsletter.