PROFILE
A difficult childhood marred by family violence and an underwhelming year 12 score hasn’t stopped Vincent Shin from realising his goal to be a lawyer. A trail-blazer employed as Australia’s first school lawyers, Vincent helps students facing similar situations. Vincent’s inspirational story featured on Australian Story in 2017.
Vincent is a program manager in the youth law program at Westjustice Community Legal Centre. In 2015, Vincent was employed as Australia’s first School Lawyer to provide students with legal advice, representation and legal education.
In 2017, Vincent’s story was featured on ABC’s Australian Story where the documentary explored his personal experience with family violence and showcased his very unique role as a school lawyer.
Whilst studying law he also worked for over 3 years as a carer in residential care homes for children removed by child protection and also in Secure Welfare Services for boys and girls.
Vincent completed his Bachelor of Laws(Hons) at Victoria University with Honours.
He was the recipient and finalist of a number of awards:
- Winner of the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Protecting Children at the 2023 Victorian protecting children awards
- Finalist for the Child and Youth Empowerment Award – Commission for Children and Young at the 2023 Victorian protecting children awards
- Winner of the Modelling a Generous Community Award at the 2017 Victorian protecting children awards
- Finalist for the Law Award from the Australian Human Rights Commission at the 2017 Human Rights Awards
- Finalist in the Young Achiever Alumni Award category at Victoria University’s 2016 Alumni Awards
Vincent has been a keynote speaker at numerous family violence and law conferences held in a number of states and territories.
Vincent is also on the Lived Experience Advisory Council.
