PRO BONO IN THE NEWS: October 2017

Below you can find articles of interest to the pro bono community that have been published since our last edition. Click through to read any news article in full.

You can also follow the latest news in pro bono from Australia and around the world by following the Centre on Twitter: @AusPBC.

AUSTRALIA

Pro-bono unlawful detention class action launched for people seeking asylum
Maurice Blackburn – 26 October 2017 (updated 13 November 2017)
A pro-bono class action has been launched by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, alleging that people seeking asylum who were never likely to be sent offshore and were subjected to excessively long visa processing periods were unlawfully detained by the Commonwealth Government.

Aboriginal Legal Service Moree, Dharriwaa Elders Group and Gilbert and Tobin win Pro Bono Partnership Award at Law and Justice Foundation of NSW’s 2017 Justice Awards
Moree Champion – 20 October 2017
This year’s 2017 Pro Bono Partnership Award, sponsored by the Australian Pro Bono Centre, has gone to the Housing Repairs Project, a collaboration helping the Indigenous community in northwest NSW.

Out-of-hours legal help a hit in SA
Lawyers Weekly – 20 October 2017
The beta testing phase of 24Legal, an app developed by South Australia’s Legal Services Commission, has been well-received by online users looking for legal help.

Young lawyer wins for her sense of social justice
City News – 18 October 2017
ACT Young Lawyer of the Year on why she chose social justice over corporate. She’s a discrimination lawyer at the Women’s Legal Centre ACT.

Namatjira landscapes: copyright breakthrough opens way for wider audience
The Australian – 14 October 2017
After decades Albert Namatjira’s copyright has been transferred to his family in an agreement that came about thanks to Dick Smith and pro bono legal assistance from Arnold Bloch Leibler.

Video phones give legal lifeline to people in Tasmania’s remote communities
ABC News – 11 October 2017
It is now easier for some people in remote and regional areas of Tasmania to get access to legal advice and help. The Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania has set up video telephones in neighbourhood houses and health centres in New Norfolk, Nubeena and Geeveston.

A voice for the young, disempowered and vulnerable
Victoria Legal Aid – 11 October 2017
Q&A with Erica Contini, Child Protection Senior Lawyer at Victoria Legal Aid. Find out how she got into law, and into child protection specifically, what a regular day looks like, what the challenges and rewards are, and her tips for those wanting to pursue similar work.

LCA calls for funding to support lawyers’ ‘staggering’ pro bono efforts
Lawyers Weekly – 5 October 2017
The millions of free hours lawyers across the country have dedicated to everyday people during their time of greatest need have been lauded by the Law Council of Australia.

INTERNATIONAL

Legal And Financial Toolkit Available For One October Tragedy
CBS Las Vegas – 24 October 2017
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada responds to Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting by creating a toolkit to assist victims and families with civil matters such as funeral and medical expenses.

Pro Bono at Big Law in 2017: Mini Firms Within Firms
Big Law Business – 23 October 2017
How pro bono culture established itself among US lawyers.

This (young legal aid) life: Tara Mulcair
Legal Voice – 20 October 2017
What might a day in the life of a trainee solicitor look like? Read about Tara Mulcair’s day, as she interviews an immigration detention client via video link, chases up Legal Aid, attends a coronial inquest and meets a successful client collecting damages.

The lawyers who take cases for no fee: Pro bono movement now seen as a ‘golden crown’
Channel NewsAsia – 15 October 2017
A history of pro bono in Singapore.

Let’s Make It Unanimous: AIG’s pro bono chief is trying to hook everyone at his company with a law license
Metropolitan Corporate Counsel – 11 October 2017
Q&A with Eric Kobrick, deputy general counsel at AIG. He championed the company’s pro bono program, and here he shares about how and why he did it, and what pro bono work and a pro bono culture look like in a corporate setting. Great stuff!

Engaging in pro bono work is good for your wellbeing
Lexology – 9 October 2017
We know that lawyering can be stressful. So how can you look after your mental health? Solicitor Louise Taylor shares about how doing pro bono actually improves her wellbeing. In other words, pro bono is good for society, good for the profession, good for YOU.