News & Views

Thirty two AusLSA members have published their commitments and performance against the nineteen sustainability elements of the AusLSA sustainability framework. The report provides a window into the initial impacts of COVID and identifies factors that will influence the sustainability of law firms for years to come. Read the report HERE and Read the LinkedIn article HERE

The National Pro Bono Centre recently released its thirteen national target report, and despite the national challenges faced in the past two years, demonstrated that the dedication to pro bono work has not faltered. They state that Australian lawyers have reported a record 16.5% rise in pro bono hours compared to the year before. Target signatories reported undertaking an average of 36.4 hours of pro bono legal services per lawyer in FY2020, exceeding the Target of 35 hours which is the highest average number of pro bono hours per lawyer reported since 2011 and is higher than the 35.8 hour average reported in FY2019.

See their press release (with a link to the report) HERE

As it approaches its bicentenary, AusLSA Member firm Ashurst, has launched a Modern Slavery Action Plan to support the eradication of all forms of slavery that exist today. This plan considers the role that Ashurst, its clients, colleagues and stakeholders can play.

See more about this in an article from Lawyers Weekly HERE and more detail about this Plan from the Ashurst Website HERE.

The Law Council of Australia, in collaboration with the Association of Corporate Council, have released a new fact sheet to help businesses understand their reporting requirements under the Modern Slavery Act.

It is estimated that more than half of modern slavery victims live in the Asia-pacific region, where many supply chains of Australian business are located.

For more information, see the LCA media release HERE, the fact sheet HERE and an article from Lawyers Weekly HERE

According to Deloitte, for every month of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has lost one year on progress towards economic gender equality. Women seem to shouldering a bigger burden of home care and are more likely to be affected by job cuts, a view which is shared by WGEA. They both agree that gender equality needs to be at the heart of our economic recovery. Read some of Deloitte's responses and strategies HERE.

AusLSA Member firm DLA Piper has published an overview of a newly released report from the Fair Work Commission entitled 'Draft Award Flexibilty Schedule'. This document considers the impacts of the accelerated needs emerging from working from home and it intended to assist employers facilitate workplace flexibility in this area.

See the DLA Piper Publication HERE, or the Fair Work Commission document HERE.

More law firms moving to formally articulate a position on climate change through their values and commitments. The differentiation can bring some behaviors into contrast. 

The 2020 Law Firm Climate Change Scorecard is the first to detail the scale of top law firms’ role in the climate crisis. Using the best data available, the 2020 Law Firm Climate Change Scorecard analyzes litigation, transactional, and lobbying work conducted by the 2020 Vault Law 100 law firms. Read the report HERE

Will your firm meet the increased demand for climate ambition? How can you ensure that your target is keeping pace as the climate agenda moves at an ever-quickening pace.

Corporate Citizenship recently completed a webinar covering

• How carbon targets have changed over the last 5 years
• What “Net-Zero” means for businesses setting targets
• The options available that will ensure your target is ambitious enough, and how to avoid accusations of “greenwash”
• How to assess what is required to meet your target
• The impact of Covid-19 on targets, baselines and reporting

Watch the Webinar HERE 

Addressing your company’s carbon footprint takes a comprehensive approach. Carbon offsets are a viable component of a larger strategy; and when procured smartly, can also help companies meet their other sustainability needs and goals. Read more HERE

Climate Change is the highest priority for surveyed ASX 250 companies with modern slavery and indigenous reconciliation moving quickly up the ranks. The 2020 Sustainable Future Survey conducted by Perennial Value Management also showed recent focus areas including equality, inclusion and charitable giving have slipped down the list for action. Read more about the survey and its finding HERE