Thursday, 25th April 2024
The Wikipedia definition is"Pro bono publico (usually shortened to pro bono) is a phrase derived from Latin meaning "for the public good". The term is generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms.
Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteerism, uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them."
A lot of it is very informal and given quietly by individual solicitors as and when they are able. As overheads of a legal practice are typically 70% of gross income, this involves not only giving up their own time and opportunity to make a living but also a contribution of these resources.
Mentoring can be a very rewarding experience for both the student / young lawyer and the mentor. Even just a monthly chat or phone call can be very helpful.
If you would like to volunteer to mentor a young lawyer then contact the Law Society or Women Lawyers Association.
A number of the Universities also welcome mentors for their students, into work experience (there is no obligation for this) and into their careers.
The organisations for people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups highly value mentoring.
Please give us feedback about your experiences using Foolkit and ideas for improvements.
JusticeNet SA is a not-for-profit association which operates a pro bono legal assistance scheme in South Australia. Eligible individuals and not-for-profit organisations are matched with an appropriate solicitor or barrister who is willing to act pro bono (for free). JusticeNet has been established to improve access to justice by referring financially disadvantaged South Australians to a "safety net" of member firms and barristers where other legal services are not available.
JusticeNet has been established to facilitate the efficient and coordinated delivery of pro bono legal assistance. JusticeNet provides a screening process for member firms and barristers. Only meritorious and thoroughly scoped requests for assistance are referred to JusticeNet members who specialise in the relevant area of law. JusticeNet also collaborates with existing legal services to ensure that only applicants that do not qualify for legal aid or are ineligible for help from other community legal services are referred by JusticeNet.
Pro bono work has tangible benefits for law firms, including increased staff satisfaction and morale, assisting with staff retention. Pro bono legal work provides staff with a variety of legal work and the satisfaction derived from using their legal expertise to help the community.
For more information about membership of JusticeNet or our referral scheme please contact JusticeNet on (08) 8303 5005 or email info@justicenet.org.au.
Address: 201 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8228 0000
Fax: (08) 8228 0022
Email: clerk@anthonymasonchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 421
Web: http://www.barchambers.com.au
Address: 34 Carrington Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8205 2966
Fax: (08) 8212 6590
Email: barristers@barchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 107
Address:24 Market Street, Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 6218 Halifax Street SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8212 0603
Fax: (08) 8212 0699
Email:clerk@brianmartinchambers.com.au
Address: 360 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8110 4900
Fax: (08) 8231 9352
Email: admin@campbellchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 424
Address:48 Carrington Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8212 4511
Fax: (08) 8231 6080
Email: admin@carringtonchambers.com.au
Address: 61 Carrington Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Web: legoechambers.com.au
Address: Level 1, 96 Gouger Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8113 3400
Fax: (08) 8113 3499
Email: clerk@legoechambers.com.au
Address: 39 Mackay Street, Port Augusta SA 5710
Phone: (08) 8127 9701
Fax: (08) 8121 7639
Address: 133 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006
Phone: (08) 8360 8320
Fax: (08) 8239 2282
Address: 90 Sturt Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8211 8113
Fax: (08) 8211 8223
Web: http://www.edmundbartonchambers.com.au
Address: 72 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8213 6400
Fax: (08) 8231 5295
Email: clerk@edmundbartonchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 398
Address: Level 1, 51 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8231 2244
Fax: (08) 8231 5611
Email: elizabethevatt@ihug.com.au
Address: 22 Divett Place, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8223 7900
Fax: (08) 8232 7001
Email: fcbrohier@bigpond.com
Web: http://www.ejchambers.com.au
Address: 356A King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8410 3672
Fax: (08) 8231 9270
Email: info@ejchambers.com.au
Address: 429A Gilles Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8232 3146
Fax: (08) 8232 3145
Address: 56 Carrington Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8212 6022
Fax: (08) 8231 3640
Email: admin@hansonchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 403
Address: 11th Floor, SGIC Building, 211 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8211 7677
Fax: (08) 8212 9700
Email: clerk@hzc.com.au
Address: Level 3, 366 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8410 3233
Fax: (08) 8410 2673
Email: clerk@hughburtonchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 58200
Web: http://www.jeffcottchambers.com.au
Address: 7 Gouger Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8231 2344
Fax: (08) 8212 3232
Email: admin@jeffcottchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 158
Address: 142 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8231 1855
Fax: (08) 8231 1909
Email: barristers@johnbraychambers.com.au
Courier: DX 396
Address: 47 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8231 6033
Fax: (08) 8231 7607
Email: clerk@kingstonchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 109
Web: www.legoechambers.com.au
Address: 61 Carrington Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8237 0520
Fax: (08) 8237 0555
Email: clerk@kingstonchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 109
Address: Level 4, 185 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 2862, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (08) 8210 6400
Email: clerk@lenkingchambers.com.au
Address: 3rd Floor, 195 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8231 2282
Fax: (08) 8221 5460
Email: clerk@mkirbych.com.au
Web: http://www.mitchellchambers.com.au
Address: 27 Surflen Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8212 7583
Fax: (08) 8231 2621
Email: info@mitchellchambers.com.au
Courier: DX 219
Address: 12 Coglin Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8110 9100
Fax: (08) 8231 5439
Email: info@murraychambers.com.au
Courier: DX 425
Address:13 Gibson Street, Port Augusta SA 5700
Phone: (08) 8641 3329 or 0439 950 001
Fax: (08) 641 3330
Email: sallybur@bigpond.net.au
Address: 195 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8212 1102
Fax: (08) 8231 9573
Address: 78 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8232 1900
Fax: (08) 8232 0845
Email: admin@torrenschambers.com.au
Courier: DX 365
Address: Level 30 Westpac House, 91 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8113 5720
Address: Level 1, 157 Franklin Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8211 8888
Fax: (08) 8211 9188
Email:barristers@williamlightchambers.com.au
DX 194, Adelaide
Address: Level 2, 366 King William Street, Adelaide 5000
Phone: (08) 8213 7000
Fax: (08) 8213 7001
Email: wsch@senet.com.au
A warning from the wise. Do not relax your professional standards, take shortcuts or fail to take all you usual risk management procedures just because you are acting pro bono.
You undertake the same level of professional risk as you do with paying clients.
Some clients are grateful for your generosity. Others are less appreciative. Any one of them can turn on you if they don't get what they want.
National Pro Bono Resource Centre has a directory of Pro Bono services in each State.
Also, see Foolkit's Legal Aid page and Community Legal Assistance page for a list of services in this State.
The National Pro Bono Resource Centre is an independent organisation that supports and promotes pro bono legal services in Australia.
They publish the Pro Bono Manual for Lawyers, Legal Resources Guide and Social Justice Opportunities Career Guide.
Pro Bono and Profit Are Not at Odds - by the ABA.
