Legal award nomination ‘wonderful recognition’ for The Salvation Army
Camilla Worsnop, Senior Legal Counsel with The Salvation Army, was chosen as a finalist for the Association of Corporate Counsel Australia’s ‘Not for Profit Lawyer of the Year’ award late last year. “It was a wonderful recognition of all that Camilla brings to her role, our legal team and The Salvation Army more broadly,” said Helen Michas, General Counsel with the Army’s Legal Department. Camilla spoke recently with Salvos Online journalist SIMONE WORTHING about her role and the significance of this award nomination.
What does your role with the Salvos involve?
I am part of the small (but mighty) legal team in Business Support, based at THQ Blackburn. We strive to provide outstanding legal support to ensure delivery of the mission, including Salvation Army services and programs throughout Australia. Given the small size of the team, we all need to be able to provide support across portfolios, although I work mainly in Quality and Safeguarding, Aged Care, Procurement, Family and Domestic Violence and Housing, just to name a few.
What do you find rewarding about your role?
I could never have imagined that moving to an in-house legal role would provide me with exposure to such a broad range of legal work. I have been given so many wonderful opportunities to develop my legal skills in this role including working on major projects, negotiations and being involved in complex legal matters. It is particularly rewarding to assist in matters that deliver services or programs that make a significant and immediate social impact on those that need it.
Many of our readers will remember the former Salvos Legal. What does The Salvation Army do now in the legal space?
The Salvation Army’s legal team provides high-level legal support across The Salvation Army, including Mission Enterprises. Generally, the legal team will assist with bespoke agreements/contracts/deeds, memorandums of understanding (MoU), collaboration or sponsorship agreements, funding agreements, civil or legal proceedings issued against The Salvation Army, legal disputes with third parties or staff, estates and bequests, privacy matters and general advice related to governance, compliance, regulatory matters, as well as general corporate and commercial legal advice.
What was the significance of this award for The Salvation Army?
I believe this nomination also provides recognition of The Salvation Army’s enormous contribution to the not-for-profit sector across Australia. The Salvation Army attracts highly skilled and trained professionals that want to contribute to a cause or mission they deeply care about.
How did you feel about being a finalist?
I was very honoured at being selected as a finalist. I am also very grateful to my colleague Bridget Negri for the nomination, and endorsement by Helen Michas, General Counsel. I work with an amazing team that provide support and bring positive energy to all that we do.
The Legal Department
The Legal Department provides legal support to all Salvation Army personnel, portfolios, departments and its distinct legal entities.
The Legal Department is a national function, that ensures:
The Salvation Army manages legal risks and resolves those risks in a timely manner to enable it to achieve its mission and vision.
The ongoing availability of objective and independent legal advice based on a comprehensive understanding of Salvation Army operations and legal structures.
Consistent processes and systems for nationwide legal support using a combination of in-house and external expertise as appropriate
Control over legal costs, provision of instructions to and oversight of, external lawyers.
