Dr Rachel Spencer
Dr Rachel Spencer
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Dr Rachel Spencer has practised in a variety of areas of law and is an award-winning tertiary educator. Rachel has extensive teaching and research experience in experiential learning, work-integrated learning, and practical legal training (PLT) as well as online and flexible learning and teaching. Rachel is recognised as a leader in the field of clinical legal education, having established Legal Advice Clinics at Flinders University, the University of South Australia, and Monash University. Her expertise includes supervisor training, placement preparation and student engagement, including in an online environment.
Rachel has extensive senior leadership experience in tertiary education and curriculum design and an international research reputation in clinical legal education, reflective learning and ethics. Rachel has expertise in facilitating planning days and workshops (both in person and online) on a variety of topics.
An active member of many boards over several decades, mostly in the not-for-profit sector, Rachel has expertise in governance and strategic decision-making. She possesses specialised skills in the development and implementation of new ideas and change management through a consultative and ethical process.
Rachel has highly developed writing skills and uses narrative techniques to produce high quality reports, academic writing, legal documents, policy documents, letters, human research ethics applications, and web content. She is skilled in plain English legal writing and for many years has taught law students how to write effectively and persuasively.
Rachel is an Adjunct Associate Professor in Creative and Performing Arts at Flinders University and she teaches “Lawyering and Leadership” at the University of South Australia. She is a board member of Writers SA and the President of the Friends of the Library of the University of Adelaide. Her previous appointments include:
Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University and Director of Monash Law Clinics (March 2018-April 2022)
Director of Professional Programs, School of Law, University of South Australia (July 2009 – March 2018)
Chair of Australasian Professional Legal Education Council (APLEC) (2005-2007)
Member, Monash Law Faculty Research Committee (2018-2020)
Member, Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (2018-2020)
Member, Victorian Legal Admissions Board Practical Legal Training Committee (2018-2021)
Member, Regional Advisory Committee, National Association for the Accreditation of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) (2013 – 2017)
Chair, Adelaide Chamber Singers Supporters’ Fund (2013-current)
Law Council of Australia Legal Education Committee (2007-2009)
Member, Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee, Flinders University (approx. 2006-2009)
Member, Clinical Research Ethics Committee, Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre (approx. 2006-2009)
Director of Practical Legal Training, School of Law, Flinders University (December 1998 – June 2009)
Legal Counsel for Orlando Wyndham Group Pty Ltd (Contract May 2003 – January 2004)
Corporate Solicitor, Austereo Ltd (August 1996 – December 1998)
Senior Associate, Kelly and Co Lawyers (January 1990 – August 1996)