Pro bono legal work isn’t just for law firms and barristers –in-house corporate counsel are increasingly active in this space and we were encouraged to hear from Nikki Pace, Legal Counsel at eBay Australia, about how she’s involved in partnering with Corrs Chambers Westgarth to provide pro bono legal assistance to not-for-profit ReachOut.

Q: Please describe ReachOut and the pro bono legal assistance you have provided the organisation.

ReachOut is Australia’s leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. ReachOut has been instrumental in changing the way that young people access online mental health support services since launching as the world’s first online mental health service 20 years ago.

eBay Australia has been working with ReachOut for the last 18 months and has provided ongoing legal support. This has included combining and drafting a ‘global’ Terms & Conditions to be used across ReachOut’s entire platform (14 different sites and services included), amending ReachOut’s Privacy Policy and advising on and drafting changes to ReachOut’s employment contracts (including their CEO contract). eBay also nominated ReachOut for (and they won!) an eBay grant to help improve ReachOut’s school resources program.

Q: How do you work in partnership with Corrs to assist ReachOut?

Corrs has been instrumental in eBay’s partnership with ReachOut as Corrs introduced us to the excellent services ReachOut provides. eBay largely works on projects autonomously with ReachOut, with Corrs also providing its own independent pro bono services to ReachOut.

Q: What existing expertise and skills have you applied to this project?

The advice we’ve offered ReachOut has largely been commercial, including contractual drafting and advice relating to ReachOut’s business and services.

Q: What new skills have you developed through this work? What other benefits have you received through being involved?

The benefits I’ve received through my involvement with ReachOut have been numerous.

For me, the privilege of practising in the legal profession carries with it an obligation to help people and organisations who do not have easy access to legal advice/representation.

ReachOut are an excellent organisation that makes a real difference to young people’s lives. It has been a pleasure to work with such an inspired and dedicated group of people who are so committed to making a difference for young people and the perception of mental health in the community at large.

Q: You are insured under the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme to provide pro bono legal assistance to ReachOut. How has this supported your involvement in the project?

eBay’s ability to participate in community-based pro bono initiatives would be very limited if not for the National Pro Bono Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme. We’re grateful for the opportunity this has given our business and we look forward to becoming more actively involved in pro bono work over the coming years.

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Read more about the Centre’s National Pro Bono Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme here.

Download Pro Bono Legal Work: A guide for in-house corporate lawyers here.