Pro-Bono Initiatives

Purpose
Harmers recognises that the employment context can give rise to cases of gross injustice and human rights abuse. Given the legal expertise and resources which Harmers can utilise, we are in a position to redress many cases of injustice and abuse which may be underserviced by a union or other legal representatives.

Harmers considers that the legal profession has a moral and a social responsibility to provide what assistance it can to persons otherwise unable to access representation.

Harmers is a signatory to the National Pro Bono Aspirational Target, and firmly supports the principles of the Australian Pro Bono Centre.

Pro Bono Committee
Harmers has a Pro Bono Committee that gives consideration to the following criteria in determining whether or not to confer pro bono status upon a matter:

• whether pursuing the matter on behalf of the prospective client will be in the public interest;
• the merits of the prospective client’s case as put forward by TL/solicitors responsible;
• access to financial resources of the prospective client having regard to the likely costs in conducting the matter;
• availability and viability of alternate representation (for example, unions, pressure groups);
• availability of firm resources; and
• opportunities for training/education of junior solicitors.

Examples of pro bono assistance provided by Harmers
Harmers provides regular employment and industrial relations assistance to several key community and not for profit organisations across Australia.

Harmers also assists Justice Connect (previously PILCH NSW) with individual client referrals as well as with particular pro bono projects such as the Unfair Dismissal Conciliation Project which provided legal assistance to disadvantaged and socially excluded people who had been dismissed from their employment.

In addition to the above, the firm regularly assists individuals who have been unfairly treated and who otherwise would not be able to afford the services of the firm.