b'COMMUNITY| LEGAL SECTOR| 2022SUSTAINABILITY INSIGHTPRO BONO PROGRAMS2022 AusLSA Member PerformanceThis years AusLSA results demonstrates a strong stable commitment to the delivery of pro bono legal services amongst AusLSAs members. Anecdotally, members have been reporting a higher interest from staff in participating in the firms programs to support natural disaster recovery and the pandemic response.Ninety-three per cent of AusLSA law firm reporting members indicated that they have a formally endorsed pro bono strategy in place or in development. All but one of these firms had a formally appointed coordinator or manager responsible for implementing this strategy and reporting back to the firms leadership team. Eighty-three per cent of all AusLSA members are signatories to the Target (a decrease from 86 per cent last year), with 44 per cent of those members currently meeting the Target and a further 15 per cent setting goal dates within which to achieve it.Challenges and OpportunitiesThe level of legal need resulting from natural disasters, economic pain and pandemic recovery highlight the critical role that legal pro bono support provides to a growing group without access to legal support.Supporting these sensitive groups has been greatly complicated by the practicalities of delivering legal services during a pandemic with office, clinic, and court lockdowns making it difficult for lawyers from firms and community legal centres to meet and coordinate. It has also made it more difficult for lawyers to be briefed by and share information with their clients. Providers of legal pro bono work have needed to adapt their processes and develop new tools and capabilities to continue to deliver pro bono services.The fundamental feature of a sustainable pro bono practice continues to be the strength of the relationship between a lawyer or law firm and their pro bono clients. The expansion of partnerships between law firms and community legal centres, pro bono referral organisations and other community organisations has been key to adapting to the demands of multiple crises and the development of new and effective pro bono initiatives and the provision of ongoing support.A sustainable pro bono practice requires a strong pro bono culture that embraces and prioritises pro bono work and has the support of the firms leadership. For guidance on developing effective pro bono programs, the Centre has published Pro bono partnerships and modelsA practical guide to What Works.The longevity of a pro bono program will be dependent on the development of best practice processes and behaviours that reflect that support. Guidance on developing a sustainable pro bono practice is provided in the Centres publication, The Australian Pro Bono ManualA practice guide and resource kit for law firms. The Manual covers the various challenges associated with pro bono legal programs and recommends tools to address them. In 2020, the Centre developed several new resources including the Pro Bono Guide to the Climate Crisis, which describes the many ways in which lawyers can get involved in pro bono work to help combat the climate crisis. The Guide features a range of case studies from around the world. The Centre also published the Pro Bono Guide for Individual Lawyers, a guide for lawyers interested in taking on pro bono volunteer work in a personal capacity, outside of a formal employment program. Additionally, the Centre has launched the Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool, which provides a directory of organisations working for client groups around the country to help law firms and other pro bono providers source potential pro bono opportunities and form partnerships. Other useful tools co-developed by the Centre include its publication The Australian Pro Bono Best Practice Guide, which helps law firms develop, and better manage their pro bono programs and practices. The Centre, in collaboration with a number of pro bono coordinators and with substantial input from the legal sector and experts in mental health, published the Client Management and Self-CareA Guide for Pro Bono Lawyers. This Guide is a practical resource to help firms develop sustainable pro bono programs. With so many resources being provided to support pro bono programs, it is increasingly important to define the issues those programs are addressing and the benefits they provide. This process focuses on outcomes rather than outputs to enable better planning and accountability of social programs. It also helps to ensure programs are meeting the needs that arise from broader values and commitments such as the UNs Sustainable Development Goals. The Australian Pro Bono Centre has created the Measuring Impact Hub which contains tools and resources to help the pro bono community measure the impact of the pro bono work it undertakes.48'