b'MEMBER RESULTS 2023 O UCommunity PRO BONO R PROGR CAMS OBeing a recognised and respected part of theMMcommunity involves sharing their values andUN INON-LEGAL TYcaring about their welfare. VOLUNTEERINGA law firms success relies on quality relationships withCharitable Giving various formal and informal communities includingAusLSA members commitment to giving has beenCHARITABLEcustomers, employees, regulators, and suppliers. Lawresilient as firms have quickly adapted to deliver givingGIVINGfirms often combine their volunteering programs withprograms with a reduced staff presence in the office. RECONCILIATIONpro bono legal and financial contributions throughEighty-eight percent of AusLSAs reporting membersIN AUSTRALIAstructured community partnerships. have formal charitable giving programs in place, Volunteering comprising corporate and workplace giving with eighty-Skilled non-legal volunteering is a critical input to thenine percent of these members also donating directly not-for-profit and community sector and is highlythrough their businesses or related trusts. Seventy-valued by recipients.three percent operated a formal workplace giving 2023 has seen growth in non-legal volunteeringprogram for staff, matching the payroll donations made commitments following difficult conditions during theby their employees. The average participation rates Covid 19 lockdowns. Eighty-eight percent of AusLSArecorded by participating firms remained stable for the member firms coordinate volunteering programs forlast three years and are currently at thirty-one percent.staff and 59 percent of these firms allocated paid staffIndigenous Reconciliation time to participate in volunteering. Eighty-three percentThis year has been a difficult year for all those actively supported their employees and partnersAustralians working toward reconciliation. The participation on boards and administrative positions inreferendum process created expectations about a not-for-profit or for-profit community organisations. breakthrough in recognition and representation for Pro Bono many First Nations people who are now disillusioned AusLSA members have been reporting growingabout the levels of understanding and compassion for interest from staff in participating in the firms programsFirst Nations issues.in response to natural disaster recovery, Covid 19Two-thirds of law firms reported having a formal issues and general community support.reconciliation policy with a further twenty-two percent Ninety percent of AusLSA members indicated thatcurrently developing policies.Ninety-two percent of they have a formally endorsed pro bono strategythese commitments are being promoted in the public in place. All but one of these firms had a formallydomain. Seventy-one percent of firms had developed appointed coordinator or manager responsible fora formal Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2023, implementing this strategy and reporting back to thewhich has increased from forty-two percent over the firms leadership team. last five years.Eighty percent of all AusLSA members are signatoriesThe number of firms providing specific pro bono services to First Nations People has increased from to the Australian Pro bono Centre 35 hours per lawyerseventeen to thirty-four in the last three years. FirmsRead the per year target, with fifty-five percent of those members currently meeting the Target and a further fifteen percenthave also worked on developing and attracting Firstdetailed 2022Nations Lawyers and suppliers with forty-four percent setting goal dates within which to achieve it. A detailedproviding scholarships and student mentoring sixty-sixCommunityreport on the legal pro bono can be found HERE.percent providing employment and internship and thirty- Spotlight nine percent actively seeking First Nations Suppliers. here.'