Pro Bono
Our pro bono practice embraces our ethical responsibility to help increase access to justice and assist people who otherwise could not access the legal system.
We work with not-for-profit community groups, individuals, charities and community partners on law reform to better protect human rights in Australia. People we assist include people with a disability, refugees and asylum seekers, victims of wage theft, people who are homeless, older persons and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We are a signatory to the National Pro Bono Target, committing to undertake at least 35 hours per lawyer per year of pro bono work.
Some key human rights issues we support include:
- the right to education
- the right to employment
- freedom from discrimination
- the right to food and housing
- the right to social security
- the right to seek and enjoy asylum
- the right to self-determination
- freedom from slavery.
Our Pro Bono Practice is managed by Partner Nathan Kennedy. The Pro Bono & Community Committee comprises representatives from all areas of the firm, including legal professionals and corporate services.
The committee considers requests for pro bono legal assistance that are referred by organisations and our people. Organisations we’ve worked with include:
In supporting Indigenous businesses to make their mark, we provide independent legal advice to Indigenous entrepreneurs and work with a number of First Nations suppliers. Find out more about how we are supporting Indigenous businesses.
We have prepared a report about how Hall & Wilcox supports older persons.
As part of International Day of People with Disability, we have published a report outlining how we help provide access to justice to all. We encourage you to read our report.
In celebration of Indigenous Business Month, we would like to acknowledge the First Nations businesses we work with. Read our update for more details.
On World Refugee Day, we celebrate the courage and resilience of people who have fled their countries to seek safety from persecution. We have prepared this report as a snapshot of our work in this area and to acknowledge the work of organisations such as the Refugee Advice & Casework Service, Refugee Legal and Afghan Women on the Move.
We have prepared a Human Rights Day report to share some of our clients' stories to showcase how access to justice can be a key enabler of human rights protection.
To recognise and celebrate Pride Month (June), we have released our Pride and Pro Bono Report. As we look to the future of LGBTQIA+ equality in Australia, we write this report to remember where we have come from and reflect on the progress made so far and what’s to come.
Elder Abuse is one of the key areas of focus for our national Pro Bono & Community practice. Find out more about how we have assisted older persons.
Our World Elder Abuse Awareness Day update outlines how our pro bono practice is assisting clients to obtain remedies for abuse they have suffered.
We do not accept direct requests for legal advice. You can contact any of the places below for legal help.
Legal Aid
- ACT or 1300 654 314
- NSW or 1300 888 529
- NT or 1800 019 343
- QLD or 1300 651 188
- SA or 1300 366 424
- TAS or 1300 366 611
- VIC or 1300 792 387
- WA or 1300 650 579
Community Legal Centres
Find your local Community Legal Centre.
If Legal Aid or your local Community Legal Centre is unable to assist you, please contact a pro bono referral organisation or your local Law Society Pro Bono Scheme:
Pro Bono Referral Assistance
- Justice Connect (in VIC and NSW)
- JusticeNet (in SA)
- LawRight (in QLD)
Law Society Pro Bono Schemes
- ACT Pro Bono Clearing House or 02 6274 0300
- NSW Pro Bono Scheme or 02 9926 0364
- NT Pro Bono Clearing House or 08 8981 5104
- TAS Pro Bono Referral Service or 03 6234 4133
- WA Law Access Pro Bono Referral Scheme or 08 6488 6813
Other Legal Resources & Information
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law