Sydney, 9 November 2015: Clayton Utz is 'first in class' in Pro Bono practice in Australia and one of the top ten Pro Bono firms globally, according to the latest Who's Who Legal Global Pro Bono Survey.
The survey, now in its third year, recognises firms that stand out as examples of best practice in Pro Bono. Clayton Utz is recognised for a practice that "continues to go from strength to strength" with pro bono "[b]uy-in across the firm…one its greatest strengths." This is the second time that Clayton Utz has made the global top ten list.
Earlier this year, Clayton Utz reached the milestone of 500,000 hours of Pro Bono legal work since launching our Pro Bono practice in 1997. This is a first for an Australian firm and any firm outside the US.
Clayton Utz Pro Bono National Practice Group Leader David Hillard said that Pro Bono was a part of everyday legal practice at the firm.
"Pro bono is a fundamental part of what it means to be a Clayton Utz lawyer," said David. "It's part of our culture and how our lawyers' contributions are recognised. As a profession, more Australian firms continue to raise the bar in Pro Bono practice and support thousands of people and organisations who struggle to access the justice system."
In FY15, Clayton Utz lawyers provided over 34,000 hours of Pro Bono assistance to low-income and disadvantaged people and the not-for-profit organisations which support them. The 2014 National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey revealed that more Clayton Utz lawyers performed pro bono work than at any Australian firm with more than 50 lawyers.
Other firms recognised in the Global Pro Bono survey include US and international firms White & Case, Schulte Roth & Zabel, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Morrison & Foerster, Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins and DLA Piper; Brazilian firm Mattos Filho, and; South Korean firm, Kim & Chang.