Pro Bono

Holding Redlich has a substantial pro bono program set as a percentage of our annual fee budget. All practice areas do some pro bono work, with the overriding principle that this must be done as proficiently and promptly as our fee paying work

Holding Redlich has acted in a number of major public interest cases. The Stolen Generations litigation and the action taken to free the asylum seekers on the 'Tampa' are examples in past years where we acted to preserve or enhance individuals' rights.

The firm is currently representing traditional land owners and the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation in a constitutional challenge to the Commonwealth’s intervention into NT Aboriginal communities. 

We have assisted individual clients in numerous matters.  Examples include:

• Refugee and immigration matters, such as appeals against rejection of asylum claims, cancellation of visas and unjustified detention.
• Discrimination on grounds of race, religion, disability and gender in employment and provision of services.
• Disadvantaged clients facing loss of their homes to credit providers.
• Aboriginal organisations  and individuals in heritage, contractual and property-related matters

We also advise a number of community organisations in a wide range of matters, including establishment issues, trusts, tax issues, employment, defamation, dispute resolution and contracts.

Organisations advised by Holding Redlich include Radio 3CR, the Alola Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, Brisbane Youth Services, Great Community Transport Inc, InfoXchange, International Women’s Development Agency, Kids Under Cover,  Rockdale Community Services, WAYS Youth Services, and Victorian Drug and Alcohol Association.

Holding Redlich is a member of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane from which referrals are made for pro bono assistance. 

Referrals are also accepted from the Arts Law Centre, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Centre, the Environmental Defenders’ Office, the Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre and a number of community legal centres.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

The firm sponsors the Distinguished Visiting Fellow Program for the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University and provides placement for students undertaking the Centre’s Advanced Professional Practice (Human Rights) undergraduate subject. 

The Holding Redlich Social Justice Fund (a sub-fund of the Melbourne Community Foundation)   is a firm wide initiative to promote social justice in the community at a grass roots level, through a structured program of philanthropic giving.  Donations to the fund from staff are matched by the partners. 

Funds raised by staff go to projects which assist disadvantaged young people access training, education, employment, housing and health services.  The fund currently supports the Horn of Africa Pathways Project in Melbourne, McIntosh House, run by Youth Off the Streets in Melbourne and Brisbane Youth Services.

ARTS

Linked to our extensive media and entertainment practice, Holding Redlich is a strong supporter of a number of established and emerging arts groups.  Arts organisations which receive support through sponsorship or the provision of pro bono legal advice include the AFI Awards, Arts Law Centre, Emerging Writers Festival, Express Media, Griffin Theatre, Human Rights Arts and Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Popcorn Taxi, National Gallery of Victoria, Rawcus Theatre Company, Red Dust Theatre, Salon des Refuses, Screen Producers Association of Australia, St Martin's Youth Arts Centre and Tropfest.

Our partners and staff regularly lecture on legal areas impacting on the arts, including film.  We accept requests for assistance from the Arts Law Centre of Australia.