Public interest law

Pro Bono

Pro bono – literally “for the good” – entails rendering services free of charge to those who cannot afford to pay for them and work that is in the public interest. We are passionate about facilitating access to justice and attending to the legal needs of the underprivileged and marginalised and those organisations that support them. All attorneys within the firm are required to perform at least 24 hours of pro bono work each year.

Our pro bono programme serves two purposes. It enables us to use our professional skills and experience to help members of our community. It also enables us to learn and to grow as lawyers. We find that our pro bono initiatives are of particular benefit to our new and junior lawyers, giving them the opportunity to sharpen their skills as interviewers, analysts and good communicators. As a result, they acquire skills that will make them exceptional lawyers; they also feel positive about themselves and about the profession they have entered.

Clients

Our clients have included: World Vision, Philimpilo, QuadPara Association of South Africa, Soul Foundation, Field Band Foundation, South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind, Unsung Heroes, Women’s Legal Centre, ProBono.org, and People Opposing Women Abuse.

Services

Pro bono legal services within the firm’s practice areas are rendered to those who qualify for pro bono assistance and include establishing not-for-profit entities and obtaining the various tax exemptions for them; assisting in divorces and maintenance claims; land claims; giving general labour law advice; reviewing and drafting commercial agreements; medical negligence claims; taking on recovery matters and many other pro bono services.

The firm’s attorneys sit as commissioners of the Small Claims Court and participate in various grass roots level projects aimed at making the law more accessible to those otherwise excluded.