Clayton Utz lured its competitors into a false sense of security before storming up the rankings in the last week of the ALB Christmas Initiative and registering the details of enough lawyers to have ALB donate a donkey to an impoverished community.

The firm has now taken second spot away from Minter Ellison Rudd Watts with A$258.75 raised – almost all of which was contributed in just one day. "After accelerating into second we are now keen to push for first place," a Clayton Utz spokesperson said before calling on other firms to match Clayton Utz's efforts.

Minter Ellison continues to lead the rankings with 188 lawyers registering their details resulting in a donation by ALB of A$423. Twelve more registrations and Minters will be able to celebrate the donation of a second donkey.

If only the other top-tier firms were as community minded. Allens Arthur Robinson and Freehills are yet to embrace the festive spirit and are still trailing at the bottom of the giving table. Blake Dawson isn’t much better and Mallesons Stephen Jaques should be at least level with Clayton Utz. There are just four working days left for firms to get involved in the ALB Christmas Initiative but that equates to plenty of time to make a real difference.

The ALB Christmas Initiative is a fast, easy and free way that lawyers in Australia and New Zealand can help make the world a better place. All lawyers have to do is spend one minute filling out their details and A$2.25 is donated by ALB to World Vision to buy donkeys and chickens for people struggling in the poorest parts of the world.

After filling out their details, lawyers can send the link on to colleagues and get some friendly competition going between the firms to see which one cares the most. The big winners, however, will be the communities that receive the gifts from the initiative.

Four forms filled out result in one chicken and chicken feed being bought for an impoverished community. One hundred forms filled out buys the community a donkey to be used in agricultural activities.

ALB will announce the top contributing law firm from Australia and New Zealand and how many donkeys and chickens they have bought for the impoverished communities. It takes no longer to make your donation than it did to read this article so fill in the form and then pass it on to everyone in your contact book.

To make a difference and see the latest totals, click here.