Sydney, 7 November 2013: Clayton Utz has been named among the ten leading pro bono firms in the world in the inaugural Who's Who Legal Global Pro Bono Survey, which recognises firms that are leading the way in their pro bono contributions, levels of participation and efforts to institutionalise pro bono work.
Clayton Utz is the only Australian firm in the list, which singles out ten firms globally for the "level of dedication, ingenuity and enthusiasm" of their pro bono contributions.
In the 2013 financial year, Clayton Utz provided 42,985 hours of pro bono legal services – an Australian record, bringing to a total of 429,204 hours in the 16 years since the Clayton Utz Pro Bono Practice was formalised, the most pro bono work ever performed by an Australian law firm. Clayton Utz also exceeded the National Pro Bono Resource Centre's aspirational target of at least 35 hours per lawyer per year in all six of the firm’s Australian offices during FY2013.
Clayton Utz pro bono partner David Hillard said he was proud to see the Firm's longstanding commitment and contribution to pro bono recognised alongside that of other firms internationally. "Pro Bono is an important part of what it means to be a Clayton Utz lawyer. It is fantastic to be part of a community of firms around the world making a significant contribution to access to justice, both for disadvantaged and marginalised people and for the NGOs which support them."
The other firms singled out by Who's Who Legal for their pro bono contributions are: US international firms WilmerHale, White & Case, Vinson & Elkins, Sidley Austin, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Kirkland & Ellis and DLA Piper; Mexican firm Von Wobeser y Sierra, and; South Korean firm, Kim & Chang.
Earlier this week in New York, Clayton Utz was also the only Australian firm finalist in the 2013 TrustLaw Connect Awards, which honour the best pro bono projects undertaken jointly by law firms and NGOs or social enterprises. The Firm was also last month awarded the NSW Law and Justice Foundation's Pro Bono Partnership Award for its work with Anti-Slavery Australia to open up a new path to statutory compensation for women who were sex-trafficked into Australia.