How to meet client's needs with limited resources and new models of service delivery with Angela Lynch

This is episode no. 41 and I am speaking with experienced lawyer, and advocate for survivors of domestic and family violence, Angela Lynch, CEO of Women's Legal Service Queensland.

With over 23 years in the domestic violence legal sector, Angela has a deep understanding of the issues and translates this practical legal knowledge and experience into significant law reform, policy, community legal education and safer client outcomes.

In 2017 Angela's dedication to the sector was acknowledged when she was awarded the Lawyer's Weekly Women in Law Not-for-profit Lawyer of the Year, and Women in Law Excellence Award and the Women's Agenda National Emerging Leader in the Legal Sector award.

In this episode we discuss the work of Women's Legal Service Qld in championing frontline operations, external advocacy, client services including for rural and regional women, and fundraising. You will hear how women's legal service has responded to the pandemic, in particular the significant increase in demand for its services after lockdown, in changes to its service delivery, managing staff and volunteers and how it has been able to influence government policy.

Regarding digital innovation, we discuss the penda app, which was a first of its kind offering to assist women with legal and financial information. Angela shares how the idea came about, where the funding came from, the challenges of hosting the app and advice she'd give to other organisations or lawyers looking to develop similar tools. We covered projects that arose when women's legal service observed specific community needs not being met, as well as Angela's opinions relating to family court initiatives including the lighthouse project. You should listen to this episode if you want to hear how human-centred design works in action, and how in response to the pandemic, technology is increasing access to justice.

Links:

• Women's Legal Service Qld
• Law & Justice Foundation NSW "Quantifying the legal and broader life impacts of domestic and family violence, Justice issues paper 32"
• Penda App
• The Lighthouse Project
• Neota Logic

Andrea Perry-Petersen – LinkedIn - Twitter @winkiepp – andreaperrypetersen.com.au

Twitter - @ReimaginingJ

Facebook – Reimagining Justice group