Following the progress of the early AusLSA Modern Slavery Roundtables and feedback from participants, we are kicking off an expanded program to support AusLSA members in managing their modern slavery objectives and obligations. This program is exclusively for AusLSA members and is provided at no cost.

Members are welcome to monimate one or more representatives from their firm with an interest in either their modern slavery program or the broader sustainability of your supply chains.

The initial phase of this program will include five, 90-minute sessions to explore the important components of an effective law firm modern slavery program. Attendees will also discuss the areas where law firms have the greatest need for development and evaluate the focus of an ongoing modern slavery support program. Session one will be held online on the 11th of May and on the second Thursday of each month thereafter.

The sessions will be facilitated in an interactive, consultative way and adapted to identify and meet the needs of the participants. The sessions will be led by the CEO of Better Sydney, Robin Mellon, and will include expert guest presentations. Robin has been a leader in sustainable supply chains for more than 10 years and is passionate about developing meaningful modern slavery programs and effective responses in Australia.

The core program objectives are to:

1. provide a confidential and collaborative environment for law firms to build relationships and share experiences with other modern slavery practitioners.

2. offer information, advice, case studies and potential solutions to address a series of key issues that law firms need to understand and address to improve the impact of their modern slavery programs.

3. articulate a set of shared issues and actions that law firms could continue to collaborate around with options about how this could be sustainably delivered.

The core program outputs will be:

1. a series of sessions covering both foundational and challenging issues tailored to improve the knowledge of participants and their capacity to improve their program.

2. a collection of resources and reference materials that can be shared with AusLSA members.

3. a proposal for law firm participants that outlines the focus, features, benefits, and resources for an effective ongoing law firm modern slavery program.

The success of the program and the benefits that firms will experience will be determined by having good representation and engagement from each member.

Please email me at richard@legalsectoralliance.com.au to nominate the person or people at your firm that would benefit most from participating in this series

sincerely

Richard Jennings