LexisNexis Pacific becomes a foundation in-house legal signatory to the National Pro Bono Target

SYDNEY, 1 July 2020 – LexisNexis Pacific is proud to be a foundation in-house legal signatory to the National Pro Bono Target (the Target). The Target aims to raise the profile of every lawyer’s professional responsibility to improve access to justice, to work for the public good, and to highlight the shared nature of that responsibility across the legal profession.

“Pro bono work is critical to ensuring access to justice, one of the four pillars of the Rule of Law. At LexisNexis, we are exploring ways to leverage our unique skills and role in the legal community to support pro bono efforts across not only our inhouse team, but our very talented legal experts, technologists and commercial specialists, as well as with our customers within the legal community.” said Ali Dibbenhall, the Head of Legal at LexisNexis.

“The Target has been a huge contributor to the growth of pro bono in Australia by law firm solicitors and barristers,” said Gabriela Christian-Hare, CEO of the Australian Pro Bono Centre, the centre of leadership for pro bono legal services that manages the Target.

The Centre laid the foundation for growth in pro bono participation by in-house legal practitioners by establishing the National Pro Bono Professional Indemnity Insurance Scheme, which affords liability cover to in-house lawyers doing approved pro bono work. The foundation also supports lawyers by producing practical resources such as Pro Bono Legal Work: A guide for in-house corporate lawyers and Pro Bono Legal Work – A guide for government lawyers. Most recently the Centre formed an In-House Counsel Pro Bono Steering Committee. The Committee consists of corporate and government lawyers who champion pro bono, and representatives of the Association of Corporate Counsel, the In-House Corporate Lawyers and Government Solicitors Committees of the Law Society of NSW, and the Centre.

“The Australian Pro Bono Centre has done an incredible job in advocating for changes to insurance and practising certificates to increase inhouse counsel participation in pro bono work. Our own experience at LexisNexis demonstrates the appetite within the inhouse community and within businesses to support this work. I am particularly proud of the enthusiastic commitment from my team, and the unhesitating endorsement of our regional and global leadership,” said Ali.

Daryl Wright – Executive Manager, Marketing
LexisNexis Pacific
T: +61 468 581 710
E: daryl.wright@lexisnexis.com.au

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional

LexisNexis® Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis^® and Nexis^® services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 10,600 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

About the Australian Pro Bono Centre

The Australian Pro Bono Centre is the centre of leadership for pro bono legal services that aims to grow participation and excellence in pro bono, our unique contribution to closing the justice gap and creating a more equitable and sustainable society.