Pro Bono

Our pro bono program uses the law to create a more just Australia.

How we can help

Through our pro bono legal practice we address issues that significantly impact the daily lives of our clients, and limit their full and equal participation in society. We focus on immediate injustices as well as structural change, working to create a fairer society through the law.

We help people realise their fundamental rights and freedoms, take advantage of societal opportunities, and challenge systems that adversely affect their lives.

Around half our legal work is for not-for-profit organisations that support people who are marginalised and disadvantaged. We help them establish and maintain strong legal foundations, and support their work to achieve self-determination for the groups they work with.

Our focus is on supporting First Nations people and communities, people with disabilities, refugees, and on human rights, and we also work across other matters. We proactively seek ways to provide legal assistance to people living in rural and remote areas, ensuring access to our services is not restricted by geography.

Services

We have eight dedicated full-time bono lawyers, who draw on expertise across the firm to advise on discrimination and human rights issues, governance, litigation, and other matters of injustice and inequality.

Corporate issues for not-for-profits

Including structuring, governance, tax, contracts, leases, intellectual property and other legal requirements.

Litigation

Legal advice and representation in legal disputes before tribunals, the courts, in commissions of inquiry and inquests, and in mediation and arbitration.

Policy and law reform

Advocating for law reform across many areas of social justice.

Rural, regional and remote community outreach

Aware of the further barriers to accessing legal services for people outside the cities, we regularly conduct legal clinics across New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia.

Pro Bono experience

Governance in support of self-determination

Working with First Nations and other organisations to establish legal structures to support self-determination.

Judicial review

This work includes funding decisions, licence allocation, as well as working with asylum seekers and people with disability.

Developing the access to justice sector

Working with other law firms, government and the community legal sector to improve access to legal services.

First Nations economic development

Acting for First Nations entrepreneurs in their first three years of business, helping them to establish a solid legal foundation for their enterprise.

Discrimination and human rights

Acting for people in all areas of discrimination including employment, the provision of goods and services, education, housing and accommodation.

Law and policy reform

Acting in test cases and representative actions, and before Parliamentary inquiries and Royal Commissions, UN Human Rights Committee complaints, and general advocacy.

Outreach

Providing advice through rosters and other arrangements with Marrickville Legal Centre, the Asylum Seeker Centre, the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre, Arts Law Centre and Welfare Rights Legal Centre.

Awards