Henry Davis York recognises that pro bono work - the provision of free or substantially reduced legal services to clients who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance- is part of a lawyer's professional responsibility to give back to the community.
We aim to fulfil that responsibility by giving back to disadvantaged or marginalised individuals and to the community in matters which are for the public good or involve issues of broad public concern.
Henry Davis York is committed to the National Pro Bono Resource Centre's Aspirational Target of achieving a minimum 35 hours pro bono work per lawyer per year. Our employees share that commitment - in the 10/11 financial year, 77% of all fee earners voluntarily contributed to over 7000 hours of pro bono legal work, comprising 2.6% of the firm's revenue.
Our pro bono work takes many forms including the provision of direct legal advice to charities, Aboriginal Land Councils, community associations or individuals, representation in litigated matters, staffing of free legal advice clinics, community legal education, law reform and policy work. We have signature partnerships providing advice to clients of the Homicide Victims' Support Group and Homeless Persons' Legal Service.
Whatever the method, we aim to provide the best help we can by developing and directing our expertise to areas of unmet legal need.
Pro bono work at Henry Davis York is an important part of our Community Spirit program, details of which can be found here.
Policy for acting pro bono
We will take on matters on a "pro bono" basis for:
- individuals who are disadvantaged or marginalised
- not for profit organisations which assist disadvantaged or marginalised groups
- the public good in matters which raise issues of public interest or broad public concern.
Due to the demand for pro bono legal services, we will only assist clients who are not eligible or not able to access legal aid and who can not otherwise obtain appropriate legal representation.
For more information on our pro bono services, please contact Haley McEwen
