Helen Ferguson Email & Phone Number

Civic Square, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

As a policy officer I worked on the Cashless Debit Card trials, the Commonwealth response to the Northern Territory Royal Commission and family programs.

Clayton

The work of the FLAP program enables clients to run their own family law matters. I drafted applications, court documents and affidavits and advised clients of their legal rights and court procedures. As part of the placement, I briefed and instructed a barrister in a children's matter heard over a 5-day trial.

Springvale

As an intern I assisted the family violence duty lawyer fortnightly at the Dandenong Magistrates' Court. I took anywhere from 6-16 client interviews in one day, giving legal advice on intervention orders to both affected family members and respondents. This involved negotiating with police, child protection workers and opposing counsel, as well as working with applicant and respondent social workers to ensure clients' non-legal issues were addressed.I was also responsible for several ongoing case files. I assisted in drafting VOCAT applications and briefing barristers for clients who had experienced extreme family violence.

Moorabbin

Campion Education is a school books and stationery supplier. It is a seasonal business providing me with full time work over the summer months and a few casual hours per week during the year. I worked in the retail store for over 5 years and advanced through several positions where I held various responsibilities and became knowledgeable about many aspects of the business.Campion has seen many changes over the past few years and I was faced with many challenges during transition periods.First and foremost my role was in customer service.Retail Supervisor 2013 – 2015• Supervised up to 25 casual POS and inquiries staff• Provided resolution for customers with major issues or complaints concerning our system or their individual orders• Inaugurated a comprehensive 4-8 hour training program• Designed and conducted follow up training sessions with a primary focus on improving the customer service skills of other staff• Forecasted daily activities and requirements and assigned the distribution of staff accordinglyTeam Leader 2010 – 2013• Conceptualized the setting up of a new self-service system for retail store• Relied on to coordinate the shelf allocation of some 2,000 products onto shop floor • Adapted to a new computer system instructing all POS staff in its operation• Received stock and coordinated backorders, streamlining the process which enabled the supply of 32,000 backorders in the space of 4 weeks• Motivated, lead and supported retail team in order to meet the demands of an overwhelmingly busy retail environmentOffice Administration 2009 – 2010• Customer service included POS sales, orders, refunds and enquiries, data entry• Entered 5,000 orders into the system in timely fashion allowing the packing team to adhere to tight deadlines• Corresponded with over 150 customers per day in our busiest periods via phone and email• Responsible for all communication with customers regarding their outstanding backorders

Springvale

I worked at SMLS as part of the clinical legal education unit offered through Monash University and it was one of the most challenging and rewarding experience of my professional life so far.I worked in a generalist group which meant I was exposed to a wide variety of legal issues during weekly drop in sessions. On top of this weekly commitment I also managed my own ongoing case files under supervision.Responsibilities and Experiences• Conducted 60 client interviews in initial advice sessions• Managed 15 ongoing case files which involved drafting legal documents, filing documents at court, negotiating with other parties and maintaining relationship with clients• Appeared on behalf of clients 4 times in Magistrates’ Court• Communicated with non-English speaking clients through use of interpreters in approximately 30-40% of interviews • Practical experience in a range of legal areas including divorce application and service, will drafting, infringements, debt and traffic offences• Reception and administrative tasks such as answering 15-20 phone calls daily, directing inquiries, taking messages and maintaining files

Bachelor Of Laws (With Honours) (Llb) And Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Major: Politics, Minor: Philosophy, H2B 70.581

Activities and Societies: Monash Law Students' Society

Graduate Diploma Of Legal Practice, Law

Single Subject Enrolment (Enhancement Studies), Philosophy, 86.00

As part of a bursary I received at the end of year 11, I was granted a scholarship to enrol in a single university subject to be put.

Victorian Certificate Of Education, Various, Enter 98.6

Activities and Societies: Madrigal Member, Jazz Band Member, Symphonic Wind Member, Year 7&12 Fancy Dress choreographer, Debating VCE.