Over 32,000 hours of pro bono time donated in a year & sector collaboration

FROM THE JUDGES:

Senior leadership ensures the social contribution is deeply embedded in the overall strategy of the organisation.”

85% of legal staff provided pro bono legal advice and 45% of the entire firm is involved in volunteering
Provided a wide range of specialist and community services to organisations aligned to the program’s objective
Donated 32,450 pro bono legal hours and 15,600 volunteering hours, valued at over $14.3 million

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) demonstrates a strong and embedded commitment to pro bono work with all legal staff receiving full fee credit for their time
The program is fully integrated into the KWM’s social impact ambitions and has strong support from the most senior levels of the firm. A national team of eight dedicated team members lead the program
Excellent internal communication strategy across the year, including a personalised thank you letter from the Chief Executive Partner and branded keep cup to the top 150 pro bono contributors. In addition, thought leadership events and monthly masterclasses for community partners on key legal issues and emerging trends in the community sector were held
Two employment scholarship pathway programs have been launched for disadvantaged young people including a ten month training and job readiness program designed with The Smith Family and ANZ, plus a further major program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students in partnership with UTS, Human Rights Law Centre, AGL Energy and Tabcorp
KWM’s 2022 strategic vision includes continuing to grow the pro bono practice and the opportunities available to team members so that by 2022, 80% of the team are engaged in pro bono (already exceeded) and 50% of the firm contributing via skills-based volunteering. The program will be streamlined to ensure at least 30% of the focus will be for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities