Pro Bono Legal Services
At Violet Co we champion access to justice for all. We offer pro bono legal services to members of the Community who do not have the means to pay for legal services, or who have a case that is in the public interest to run.
Pro bono, fee-free, legal services for women, gender diverse and first nations people.
Violet Co is a signatory to the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono Target. Each year we dedicate a portion of our time to support clients that do not have the means to access the justice system.
We work with women, gender diverse and first nations people who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, discrimination and other gender or race-based issues.
Additionally, we offer pro bono and discounted rates for our for-purpose clients who are charities or social enterprises.
In FY23 we supported individuals, non-profit organisations and advocated for legal reform. You can read about the impact we’ve had here. The team provided a total of 1,061 hours of legal services on a pro bono basis. That’s approximately 21 hours or 3 days per week of our Solicitors time.
In FY22 we provided a total of 615 hours and in FY21 265 hours through our pro bono program.
Photo: Rom Matibag courtesy of unsplash.com
Recognition for Violet Co’s contribution to Pro Bono
Pro Bono Service Award - Law Society of NSW
Karen Iles was awarded the Inaugural Pro Bono Service Award by the Law Society of New South Wales (2022)
Private Practice of the Year
The Women Lawyer’s Association of NSW awarded Violet Co Legal & Consulting Private Practice of the Year Award (2023). Karen Iles was a finalist for the Women Lawyer of the Year Award (2023).
Australian Pro Bono Centre recognition
Our approach and commitment to Pro Bono has been featured in the Australian Pro Bono Centre magazine (issue 9. June 2023). You can read the article Violet Co Legal and Consulting: Creating Change Through Legal Practice Based on Dignity, Responsibility and Reciprocity.
Pro Bono Australia feature - Changemaker Karen Iles
Using lived experience in our approach to delivering legal services to clients has been highlighted by Pro Bono Australia in their feature of Karen Iles as a “changemaker”. You can read the article Using lived experience to empower other women (June 2023)