In episode 3 of KWM’s Responsible Business podcast NEXT, hosts Clem Johnson and Dan Creasey dive deep into the world of pro bono legal services with guests Christina Carney from NAB and Elise Perry from KWM. The conversation explores the critical role of pro bono work in helping to bridge access to justice, highlighting how lawyers can create meaningful social impact by providing pro bono to individuals and organisations. Through personal stories and professional insights, the episode reveals the transformative potential of pro bono work, demonstrating how lawyers can be powerful allies in addressing systemic social challenges.
Key Topics:
- Pro bono legal work is fundamentally about providing free legal assistance for the public good, extending beyond individual cases to create systemic change.
- Corporate leadership plays a crucial role in establishing and sustaining pro bono programs, with senior executives like NAB's Sharon Cook driving cultural transformation.
- The future of pro bono work is increasingly focused on long-term, strategic interventions in addition to addressing immediate legal needs.
- Technology, including AI, presents emerging opportunities to expand the reach and efficiency of pro bono legal services.
- Successful pro bono programs require dedicated teams, leadership support, and integration into core professional responsibilities.
- Evaluation and impact measurement are becoming more sophisticated, moving beyond hours worked to understanding actual client outcomes.
- A new generation of purpose-driven lawyers is emerging, seeking meaningful opportunities to contribute to social justice through their legal careers.
- Effective pro bono work depends on genuine partnerships with community organisations, ensuring interventions are community-led and responsive to real needs.
