Pro bono is just one way SA law firms are giving back to the community

Adelaide’s biggest law firms continue to give back to the community through formal pro bono programs, charity work and other community initiatives.

Kain Lawyers managing director John Kain with a group of students from Salisbury High School

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Adelaide’s biggest law firms continue to give back to the community through formal pro bono programs, charity work and other community initiatives.

Many firms are members of the state’s pro bono referral service JusticeNet, while others volunteer their services to charities and other community groups or operate their own charitable organisations.

Through its Kain Foundation, commercial firm Kain Lawyers and its employees provide support to children “who may otherwise fall through the cracks”.

In partnership with children’s charity The Smith Family, it hosts a regular program for students from low socio-economic schools, aimed at educating them about the profession and job pathways.

In addition, a group of lawyers from the firm travels to Uganda each year to support children experiencing hardship in the country.

The firm’s managing director John Kain says community work was a fundamental reason his firm was established in 2004.

“When we started the business we genuinely wanted to build a platform to allow our entire team to make a lasting and meaningful impact in the community,” he said.

“As an example I had a discussion some years ago with the managing partner of a successful national firm, and he was asking about the community work that we do.

“After I explained to him what we do he said that they weren’t that dissimilar, in that they allowed their team to do various bits and pieces.

“I said, ‘that’s the difference, you allow your team to do it, we demand it - it’s a condition of being part of our team’.”

Fisher Jeffries’ Vanessa Gore and Charlotte Thomas. The firm provides pro bono services to women’s shelter Catherine House and the Cancer Council - pic AAP/MIKE BURTON

Sparke Helmore Adelaide managing partner Mick Dwyer says his firm provides pro bono assistance to charitable organisations on a range of issues including governance and workplace matters.

“More recently, the firm has teamed up with JusticeNet for a pro bono secondment arrangement, with 12 lawyers providing a range of pro bono legal services to individuals and charitable organisations on an ongoing rostered basis,” he said.

“We also provide NFPs with specialised advice and assistance across our practice areas such as employment law, property, litigation, insurance and intellectual property.”

Andersons managing partner Garry Palasis says the state’s legal industry gives back to the community in a number of different ways.

“There are perceptions that lawyers are always out there to make a buck,” he said.

“But I can tell you it happens every day that lawyers around South Australia are giving back to their communities and people don’t see that.”

Fisher Jeffries partner Vanessa Gore says her firm provides pro bono services to women’s shelter Catherine House and the Cancer Council, while also providing financial support to community and arts groups including the Helpmann Academy.