Pro Bono
McInnes Wilson Lawyers proudly provides pro bono support to the community.
It's their way of giving back and helping those who might not otherwise have access to the legal system
an InteGral part of MCInnes Wilson Lawyers
McInnes Wilson Lawyers believes that everyone has a right to justice. They are committed to helping the community access legal assistance when they need it. Their program assists a wide variety of people, including individuals, charities, not-for-profit organisations and community legal centres.
McInnes Wilson Lawyers' pro bono program aims to provide free legal assistance and community legal education to those in need.
Their lawyers have helped people avoid unjustified debts, fight against discrimination, take action against environmental harm, access compensation for loss suffered, protect themselves financially, report medical wrongdoings, access much-needed supports, and much more.
The firm's strong pro bono culture means that all levels of staff are involved in the pro bono program, from junior solicitors to senior principals. With their cross-firm collaboration and hands-on approach, their clients can rest assured that they are being supported by a firm that cares.
Pro bOno Snapshot for 2023
In the 2023 financial year, McInnes Wilson Lawyers provided extensive pro bono assistance to the community.
Individuals
McInnes Wilson Lawyers helped a wide variety of individuals through direct engagement or through legal clinics.
The firm built several new legal clinics, including:
- Romero Centre Legal Clinic (assisting asylum seekers and associated community)
- Ronald McDonald House Charities SEQ Legal Clinic (assisting families of critically ill children)
The firm also provided services through a number of existing legal clinics, including:
- Caxton Legal Centre’s Consumer Credit & Debt Clinic (assisting people with credit and debt issues)
- LawRight’s Court and Tribunal Services legal clinic (assisting self-represented litigants navigate the court process)
Charities
The firm proudly supported a number of charities, including:
- Small Steps 4 Hannah (aimed at halting the cycle of domestic violence)
- Hope Starts Here (aimed at feeding and assisting homeless and disadvantaged persons)
- Winnunga Aboriginal Health Service (aimed at providing safe healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- Sony Foundation (aimed at assisting vulnerable and disadvantaged youth)
Community Legal Centres
McInnes Wilson Lawyers proudly assisted a number of community legal centres. This included staffing legal clinics and advice lines to help people who approached CLC's for help.
Some of the CLC's their lawyers assisted included:
- Caxton Legal Centre
- Environmental Defenders Office
- LawRight
- Suncoast Community Legal Service
- Women’s Legal Service Queensland
70%
of Partners conducted Pro Bono Work
75%
of Lawyers conducted Pro Bono Work
The ImPact
The approximate value of McInnes Wilson Lawyers' pro bono work in the 2023 financial year included:
3041
$78,617
Total hours of Pro-bono work
Towards indigenous community support
$34,034
$78,617
Towards indigenous community support
Towards indigenous community support
$32,070
$54,878
Towards environment protection
Towards environmental protection
$44,429
$32,301
Towards asylum seekers and associated community
Towards asylum seekers and associated community
$68,530
$88,819
Towards self-represented litigants
Towards self-represented litigants
$125,548
$88,819
Towards consumer credit & debit issues
Towards self-represented litigants
$21,829
$88,819
Towards violence support services
Towards self-represented litigants
$98,791
$88,819
Towards health research & support services
Towards self-represented litigants
How to apply for Pro Bono assistance
Fill in the Pro Bono Request form
To apply for pro bono assistance, you'll first need to fill in either the Personal Pro Bono or Organisation Pro Bono forms below.
Please use the Personal Pro Bono form if you require assistance for yourself or another individual.
If you are an organisation (such as charity, not-for-profit, or other), please use the Organisation Pro Bono form.
Our Team will then assess Your Request
Once you have submitted your form, McInnes Wilson Lawyers will assess your application to see if you are eligible for pro bono assistance.
Their assessment is based on independent criteria set by the Australian Pro Bono Centre.
You will be contacted with the outcome of your Request
McInnes Wilson Lawyers will contact you during or after their assessment to let you know how they may be able to assist you.
