LawRight began in 2001 and has grown to be the premier coordination point for pro bono civil law services in Queensland, with the legal profession delivering over 33,383 hours of strategic legal services annually, at 21 locations throughout the state.
However, 20 years ago, this was just a vision in the minds of a small group of lawyers concerned about lack of access to civil law services in Queensland. They believed a ‘clearing-house’ approach would be the most efficient and targeted response to community need. They formed a planning group which first met formally on 28 November 2000, voted to incorporate on April 5, 2001 and was officially incorporated on 8 June, 2001 as the Queensland public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH). QPILCH was publically launced by Paul de Jersey AC, Chief Justice of Queensland and the Attorney General on 19 April, 2002.
The members of the first Management Committee and other lawyers active in this foundation year, included:
- Andrew Buchanan, President – Partner Allens
- Hugh Scott-Mackenzie, Vice President – Partner, King & Wood Mallesons
- Simon Cleary, Secretary and Treasurer – Legal Aid Queensland
- Lucy Bretherton – Special Counsel, Ashurst
- Geoff Harley – Managing Lawyer, Clayton Utz
- Tom Byrne – Queensland Law Society Inc
- Robert Reed – Senior Associate, MinterEllison
- Peter Rosengren – Partner, McCullough Robertson
- Dan O’ Connor – CEO, Bar Association of Queensland Inc
- Assoc. Prof Jeff Giddings – Griffith Law School
- Robyn Wilkinson – Executive Legal Officer Legal Aid Queensland
- Merran Lawler – President, Community Legal Centres Queensland
Other active supporters include:
- John Hodgins – CEO Legal Aid Queensland
- John Dewar – Dean of Griffith Law School
- Graham Quinlivan – Head of Legal Practice LAQ
- Cliff Hughes – Clayton Utz
- Simon Morrison – Shine Lawyers