Victorian in-house lawyers can now undertake pro bono work in the same manner as their private practice counterparts. The Victorian attorney-general, Robert Clark MP, introduce legislation to allow Victorian in-house lawyers to undertake pro-bono legal work last week.

The Australian Corporate Lawyers Association and in-house lawyers have welcomed the announcement. The change in policy comes after ACLA and others raised concerns about the legislative barrier being the principal obstacle to in-house lawyers undertaking pro-bono work in Victoria. Up until now, the practicing certificates available to Victorian in-house lawyers limited them to providing legal advice to their employer only.  If passed, this change will mean they will now be able to provide legal services pro bono to external parties.

With this reform, Victoria joins Queensland and New South Wales in lifting the restriction. ACLA hopes to work with the South Australian Attorney General’s Department on similar reform in that jurisdiction.  “We have long held the belief that Victorian in-house lawyers should be allowed to undertake pro bono work. If passed, thousands of in-house lawyers, previously prevented from using their professional expertise outside their workplace, will be able to give back to the community just like their private practice counterparts and in-house lawyers elsewhere in the country,” said Trish Hyde,  ACLA CEO.

George Toussis, senior legal counsel at Hewlett Packard Australia, said the announcement was a “very welcome initiative for corporate lawyers”. Toussis and his team already undertake pro bono legal work as part of a global HP initiative to be a better corporate citizen. “We had some regulatory issues initially in doing that, but we got there in the end,” said Toussis of the endeavour. “There is a great sense of satisfaction in being able to apply our skills to those less fortunate than ourselves.”