Delivery of
pro bono legal services remains a high priority for the firm, and we are proud
to have been a signatory to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono
Target since 2011.
Our
National Pro Bono Committee oversees, champions and coordinates each of our
office’s activities, ensuring our ability to continue to make a difference
locally and nationally. We have also established a National Pro Bono Practice
staffed by seven full time lawyers who have significant experience in the
social justice sector. As part of our deep commitment to the community legal sector,
five of our pro bono lawyers are seconded full-time to the following Community
Legal Centres:
- Prisoners
Legal Service
- Justice
and Equity Centre
- Inner
Melbourne Community Legal Services
- University
of Newcastle Legal Centre
- Aboriginal
Legal Service
Our
remaining two pro bono lawyers work collaboratively with lawyers across the
firm who volunteer their time and expertise on a range of pro bono matters.
What we
do
Our
lawyers provide legal assistance to vulnerable individuals as well as Community
Legal Centres, not-for-profit organisations, and social enterprises on a wide
range of legal issues.
We offer
a range of pro bono legal services including legal advice, representation,
legal research, policy and law reform submissions and legal education. Some
examples of the work we do includes:
- Partnering with the Fair Work Commission to
provide eligible employees and employers with pro bono legal advice as part of
their Workplace Advice Service, which provides free legal advice in relation to
dismissals, workplace rights and workplace bullying
- Partnering with the Cancer Council to draft
wills and other estate planning documents for individuals who have a terminal
cancer diagnosis
- Accepting referrals from the Australian Human
Rights Commission in relation to discrimination and sexual harassment claims
- The establishment of legal advice clinics in
collaboration with Community Legal Centres
- Working with a range of charities and
not-for-profit entities to advise on the establishment of charitable
institutions, governance and other related matters.
Last financial year we provided 9,048 hours of
pro bono legal assistance and aim to continue to increase our provision of pro
bono legal services and maximise our contribution to the communities in which
we live and work.
Meet some of our Pro bono team:
Alice Zhang Lauren Stubbs Natalie McIntosh Tom Durkin