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.

Pro Bono Target Signatory Logo   LSNSW_ProBono_Logo_Orange_2024-01-24

Meet some of our Pro bono team:

Alice Zhang   Lauren Stubbs   Natalie McIntosh   Tom Durkin