Legal Help for Not-For-Profit Organisations
The legal needs of not-for-profit organisations, such as governance, taxation, and employment issues, are well matched with the expertise and experience of corporate law firms that undertake pro bono work.
In our 2018 Report from the most recent National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey of law firms with more than fifty lawyers, the Centre reported that:
Many firms … assist not-for-profits or mission-based organisations whose core business is assisting people in need or furthering the public interest. Assisting organisations encourages broad and deep participation in pro bono by creating opportunities for lawyers in large firms to apply their existing commercial legal skills on a pro bono basis.
National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey Final Report, page 36
In the 2018 financial year, firms who responded to the Survey undertook on average 53% of their pro bono work for charities, other not-for-profit organisations, and social enterprises.
What pro bono advice, assistance and information is available?
The Not-for-profit Law Information Hub, provided by Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law Service, contains free, detailed information on the legal issues impacting on not-for-profit organisations, taking into account the specific laws in those states.
The Not-for-profit Law Service can also assist established not-for-profit organisations with telephone advice, pro bono referrals and training. Not-for-profit organisations who cannot find the information they need on the Not-for-profit Law Information Hub can contact their state or territory’s pro bono referral organisation – for more information see below.
You can also find more detailed information and links below on legal help for not-for-profit organisations. Are you looking for:
- Help establishing a not-for-profit organisation
- Legal assistance for your organisation
- Help referring a client for legal assistance
- Help with a pro bono partnership or project
- Finding suitable volunteers with legal experience
- Where can I find more information?
Please note that the Australian Pro Bono Centre is an independent centre of expertise on pro bono legal services in Australia and does not provide legal assistance or operate a referral scheme.
I am looking for help with ESTABLISHING A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATION
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to connect you to appropriate pro bono assistance.
- Visit the Not-for-profit Law Information Hub for a wealth of information about legal issues to consider when establishing a not-for-profit organisation.
I am looking for LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR MY ORGANISATION
- The Not-for-profit Law Service can assist established not-for-profit organisations with telephone advice, pro bono referrals and training.
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to connect you to appropriate pro bono assistance.
- The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) website provides information about starting and running an Indigenous Corporation. ORIC’s LawHelp service can also refer established Indigenous Corporations to pro bono assistance.
I am looking to REFER AN INDIVIDUAL FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE
- You can refer clients to our Links to Legal Help page
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to assist you to refer an individual to appropriate pro bono assistance.
I am looking for help with a PRO BONO PROJECT or PRO BONO PARTNERSHIP
- Our publication Pro Bono Partnerships and Models: A Practical Guide to What Works contains practical information on what works well in collaborative pro bono projects, including tips and case studies on how to attract pro bono partners and maintain effective partnerships.
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to assist with brokering pro bono relationships.
I am looking for help with FINDING SUITABLE VOLUNTEERS
- You can advertise legal volunteer (and paid) opportunities at your organisation on the Centre’s Social Justice Opportunities website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. This is a free service.
Where can I find MORE INFORMATION?
For general information about how pro bono can assist your organisation:
- Refer to our publication Pro Bono Partnerships and Models: A Practical Guide to What Works for practical tips on creating successful partnerships between not-for-profit organisations and law firms, with examples
- Contact the Australian Pro Bono Centre
- Contact a Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation in your state or territory.