Fay Gertner

Fay Gertner graduated from Monash University with an Arts/Law degreee in the mid-1980's. Afterr working in private practice for several years, she worked as an associate for Senior Member Mrs Joan Dwyer at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Fay then worked at the Australian Government Solicitors Office in Melbourne, and left to have a family. Upon resuming work, she volunteered at the joint clinic operated by Springvale Monash Legal Service (SMLS) with the South East Centre Against Sexual Assault. Fay then worked at SMLS as a solicitor and then as legal practice manager. Fay has been involved with Monash University since that time, now holding the position of Director of Monash Oakleigh Legal Service (MOLS) which is one of the clinics the law faculty operates as part of it's clinical program.

MOLS is co-located with the Family Law Assistance Program (FLAP) which deals with contested family law matters. MOLS hosts PLEA (Prisoners Legal Education and Assistance Program) which was a student initiative. MOLS provides an opportunity for law students to work in a legal environment and provides real life client experiences. Students interview clients: open files; perform legal research; negotiate with insurance companies, police, other parties, soliciitors andthe courts; draft documents; appear in court and tribunals and undertake other tasks.

A recent innovation introduced by Fay into MOLS and FLAP is the multi disciplinary clinic, where students from Business and Economics; School of Interpreting and Translating; and School of Social Work work together providing a holistic service to clients. This has now been operating for over 2 years and continues to provide a great experience to students and a wonderful service to clients.

The number of students at MOLS has increased over the last few years and ony recently includes a client intake session manned by exclusively by JD students. There is also an advice only session which provides an opportunity for 1st and 2nd year student to experience "law in action".

Fay's experience in supervision of law students in a clinical environment has continued for over 10 years. She has many students complete their time at MOLS and ultimately enter the profession or other fields utilising the obvious and less obvious skills learnt and experienced at MOLS.

Areas of Expertise

Clinical legal education

Criminal law and procedure

Infringements

LAW4328 Professional Practice SEM1/T2

LAW4328 Professional Practice SEM2/T3

LAW4328 Professional Practice SUM/T1