Launch of International Pro Bono Legal Group
6 July 2009 at 4:51 pm
The Federal Government has launched an International Pro Bono Advisory Group to promote international pro bono work by Australia’s legal profession and identify links with the Government’s international development assistance programs.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Group in Sydney the Attorney General Robert McClelland congratulated the legal profession for its support of pro bono work in both Australia and overseas.
The Advisory Group brings together a range of private sector lawyers, Government and non government agencies with expertise in international pro bono and development assistance work.
The inaugural meeting of the International Pro Bono Advisory Group agreed:
• on the need for a statement of principles for international pro bono work;
• to identify key priority needs that Australian lawyers could help address; and
• to identify opportunities for better coordination and collaboration.
President Elect of the Law Council of Australia and a member of the Advisory Group, Glenn Ferguson said there is a keen interest and capacity within the private sector for undertaking international pro bono work.
International Pro Bono Advisory Group:
Glenn Ferguson – President-Elect, Law Council of Australia and the International Legal Services Advisory Council
Greg Mcintyre – SC Council Member, The Law Society of Western Australia
Dimity Fifer – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Volunteers International
John Corker – Director National, Pro Bono Resource Centre
Amy Kilpatrick – Executive Director, PILCH NSW
Bob Mitchell – Director, Legal Assistance and Governance, World Vision Australia
Justice John Mansfield AM – Judge, Federal Court of Australia
Jane Farnsworth – Pro Bono & Community Programs Manager, Mallesons Stephen Jaques
Mitchell Mathas – Partner and National Pro Bono Coordinator, Deacons
Michael Rosenfeld – Pro Bono & community Programs Director, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Anne Cregan – Pro Bono Partner, Blake Dawson
Nicky Friedman – Head – Pro Bono and Community Services, Allens Arthur Robinson
David Hillard – Pro Bono Partner, Clayton Utz
Nicolas Patrick – Pro Bono Director, DLA Phillips Fox
Alexandra Richards – QC Director, Pro Bono Committee, Victorian Bar Council
Annmaree O’Keeffe – Deputy Director General Pacific, Papua New Guinea and Policy Division, AusAid
Ian Govey – Deputy Secretary, Civil Justice and Legal Services Group, Attorney-General’s Department
