Senior Lawyers Project
 There are currently no pro bono programs in Australia aimed specifically at lawyers approaching retirement or on career break[1]. The Centre commenced a research project in October 2008 on how to engage retired and career break lawyers in doing pro bono legal work.
It is common knowledge that the Australian population is aging and baby boomers are approaching retirement. Demographic data about lawyers has been gathered from the law societies, bar associations, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Productivity Commission.
30 interviews were conducted with 40 key stakeholders including public interest clearing houses (‘PILCHs’), community legal centres (‘CLCs’), large law firms, bar associations, law societies, the Aboriginal Legal Service, Legal Aid, law foundations and individual retired and career break lawyers.
Roundtable discussions with interested persons were held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in March 2009. These meetings were based on a Discussion Paper available on this website.
The roundtables were attended by a good cross section of the legal profession, including the law societies, PILCHs, Bar Associations, Legal Aid, national pro bono directors of some of the larger law firms, CLCs, the Aboriginal Legal Service, retired lawyers and career break lawyers.
Based on the research, consultations and roundtable discussions, the Centre published a final report in February 2010 downloadable below.
The Centre wishes to thank everyone who has been involved in the project for their valuable contribution and welcomes comment on its report.
[1] Career break lawyers are defined as lawyers who are away from full-time legal practice for any reason, including child rearing or injury.
Download
Retired and Career break lawyers final report pdf >
Retired and Career Break Lawyers Final Report word >
top of page >
|
