27 BACK TO NAVIGATION 2017 AusLSA Member Performance This year’s AusLSA results demonstrate a continued commitment to pro bono legal services amongst AusLSA’s members. Ninety-seven percent of reporting members had a formally endorsed pro bono strategy in place, with the remaining members having a strategy in development. Ninety-four percent of firms also had a formally appointed person responsible for implementing this strategy and reporting back to the firm’s leadership team. Pro Bono programs are led by a Partner in sixty-four percent of reporting firms. Twenty-one percent gave this responsibility to senior legal staff (including Directors and Special Counsel) while the remaining fifteen percent of programs were run by Associates, Senior Associates or non-legal professionals. Seventy-eight percent of all AusLSA members are signatories to the Target with forty-five percent of members currently meeting the Target and a further six percent setting goal dates in which to achieve it. Challenges and Opportunities The most important factor in ensuring a sustainable pro bono practice continues to be the strength of the relationship between a lawyer or law firm and the organisations supporting pro bono clients. A firm’s relationships with community legal centres, pro bono referral organisations and other community organisations are key to the development of effective pro bono programs and the provision of ongoing support. For guidance on developing effective pro bono programs the Centre has published Pro bono partnerships and models – A practical guide to What Works. A sustainable pro bono practice requires a strong pro bono culture that embraces and prioritises pro bono work and has the support of a firm’s leadership. The longevity of a pro bono program will be dependent on the development of best practice processes and behaviours that reflect that support. Guidance on developing a sustainable pro bono practice is provided in the Centre’s publication, The Australian Pro Bono Manual – A practice guide and resource kit for law firms. The Manual covers the various challenges associated with pro bono legal programs and recommends tools to address them. Additional useful tools co-developed by the Centre include its publication, The Australian Pro Bono Best Practice Guide, to help law firms develop, and better manage, their pro bono programs and practice. In March 2017 the Centre, in collaboration with a number of pro bono coordinators and with substantial input from across the legal assistance sector and with experts in mental health, launched Client Management and Self-Care – A Guide for Pro Bono Lawyers. This Guide is a practical resource to help firms develop sustainable pro bono programs ASPIRATIONAL TARGET SIGNATORY TARGET PROGRESS 78% 45% 16% 6% 6% 49% Yes Target currently met No Goal date has been set Not Reported No date currently set