Thank You Event 2024
Thank You Event 2024
On March 7, 2024 LawRight hosted a Thank You Event to thank our valued partners. It was our opportunity to celebrate our supporters and the impact they have made through strategic pro bono.
Through the support of Friends of LawRight, member firms and barristers, and everyone who volunteered or donated, we helped over 1,700 clients in 2022-23. Many of their stories are captured in our Annual Report and we look forward to sharing more stories.
As we launch into 2024, we are excited to share our plans for more impactful work, supported by events including the Queensland Legal Walk on Tuesday 14 May, and Red Wine for Justice later in the year.
Queensland Legal Walk 2025
Queensland Legal Walk 2025
The 2025 Queensland Legal Walk was a resounding success, uniting more than 1,150 participants across Queensland in a powerful show of support for access to justice. Held during Law Week, the Walk brought together legal professionals, law students, community leaders, and supporters across seven regional and metropolitan locations, including Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.
We raised over $125,000 – our most successful year to date – to support LawRight's vital pro bono legal services for vulnerable Queenslanders facing complex challenges, and $10,000 will go directly to Townsville Community Law to support disaster relief efforts, ensuring essential legal help reaches those affected by crises.
A big thank you to our regional organisers – Townsville Community Law, Suncoast Community Legal Service, Downs and Southwest Queensland Law Association, and Anglicare & Mission Australia (Cairns).
Queensland Legal Walk 2024
Queensland Legal Walk 2024
On the 14 May 2024 we celebrated the important role of pro bono in helping the most disadvantaged and marginalised Queenslanders, while raising funds to support access to justice. For over 15 years, members of the legal profession have woken up early on National Pro Bono Day, to connect with their colleagues and walk to show their support for access to justice.
This year, 1,056 walkers across Queensland raised $119,538 for LawRight’s vital services. They represented over 71 organisations, including chambers, law firms and university law schools.
In Brisbane, the Walk was led by LawRight patron, the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Bowskill. Mr Jimmy Sullivan MP also led the Walk and spoke on behalf of Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath MP [/vc_column_text]
[/vc_column][/vc_row]Walk Update - May 2024
Walk Update, May 2024
4 Days until the Queensland Legal Walk!
Rafa "the Miniature Schnauzer" Denholder joins the Walk
Here's a photo of me with Lady Justice and my human at the 2022 Walk. #WoofForJustice" Rafa is aiming to raise $5,000 and you can help him achieve that dream at www.qldlegalwalk.org.au/fundraising/rafadenholder
Prizes in store for teams of all sizes
As well as trophies for the top fundraising firm, chambers, law school and individual, this year there are prizes (and glory) in store for all teams that reach $1,000, with the prize pack increasing for totals of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. Meanwhile, the team at Clayton Utz has been busy fundraising in the office. Clayton Utz partner Majella Pollard says:
"Each year at Clayton Utz, we look forward to supporting the Queensland Legal Walk and the important fundraising it provides for LawRight's invaluable community services and self-representation clinics. This year Clayton Utz is aiming to raise over $10,000. The whole office gets behind this annual fundraising activity through sponsorship, firm-wide fundraising lunches, and a firm-wide raffle - with some very generous prize donations from Clayton Utz Partners and a community donor, Bellezza Group. Many of us are looking forward to walking on Tuesday morning in sunshine or rain!"
Meet the teams Walking above their Weight
Our friends at the Environmental Defenders Office have always attended and generously offered their individual support. Support their fundraising efforts here.
Shine Maroochydore Movers will be walking on the Sunshine Coast and have already raised $300 to beat their fundraising target. Thank you!
The Tamborine Toddlers didn't make it out of the cafe in last year's rainy weather but are planning a Walk with a View for 2024.
Chambers collaborative and a little competitive
The Queensland Bar is once again proving generous, collaborative and just a little competitive when it comes to fundraising and supporting access to justice.
On top of their pro bono work throughout the year, the following chambers are also fundraising to help the LawRight strategically coordinate that work. You can support each team at the links below:
Callinan Chambers
George Street Chambers
Higgins Chambers
Level Twenty Seven Chambers
Northbank Chambers
North Quarter Lane Chambers
Red Wine for Justice 2024
Red Wine for Justice is held every two years. The event held on Friday 23 August 2024 was our most successful yet raising over $100,000.
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Red Wine for Justice 2024 was a tremendous success thanks to all who either donated wines and prizes, participated in the bidding or came along to enjoy the night.
We are grateful for this overwhelming support to raise such a significant amount to help LawRight supplement its services to ensure no one is denied justice because of their financial position.
We would like to acknowledge and thank all our donors, bidders and supporters, our auctioneer, Yianni Mooney and our hosts, Herbert Smith Freehills who all helped to make Red Wine for Justice 2024 such a resounding success.
Red Wine for Justice 2022
Record Fundraising at Red Wine for Justice 2022!
Thank you to everyone who helped make Red Wine for Justice a fabulous success. We raised $80,000 on the night, including an auction record of $53,000 crowned by the premier lot – a bottle of 2008 Penfolds Grange Vintage donated by Andrew Crowe KC and won by Matthew Jones for $7,050.
Thank you to those who donated wines for drinking, auction and raffling, and to those who bid generously for our 44 auction lots.
We are especially grateful to our entertaining guest speaker, Justice Peter Applegarth AM, and to our special volunteers – our MC Bridget O’Brien, sommelier Andrew Buchanan and auctioneer Yianni Mooney.
All funds raised will enable LawRight to continue our financial counselling service for the rest of the financial year. This service increases the effectiveness of each of the pro bono Community and Health Justice Partnerships and responds to vulnerable community members who were further impacted by the March 2021 floods.[/vc_column_text]
RWFJ Update - 11 August 2022
Red Wine for Justice – August update
New date confirmed – 6pm, 14 October 2022
We are delighted to announce a new date for Red Wine for Justice – Friday 14 October.
We have moved all the lovely wine back into storage and look forward to a Spring event.
All tickets remain valid and we look forward to seeing you on 14 October. If you can no longer attend and would like a refund or to transfer your ticket, please contact us at [email protected]. More tickets will be available shortly at www.lawright.org.au/redwineforjustice.
Public Interest Address 2021
LawRight’s Public Interest Address (PIA) for 2021 was delivered on 25 October by the Hon. Susan Kiefel AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and celebrated 20 years of pro bono through LawRight.
A copy of the speech is available here.
Since 2002, the PIA has canvassed Guantanamo Bay concerns, immigration detention, civil justice reforms, public interest litigation and the role of lawyers in environmental, mental health, child protection and First Nations community challenges.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
20th Anniversary Event
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
Queensland Legal Walk 2023
Queensland Legal Walk 2023
On the 16 May 2023 we celebrated the power of pro bono at the Queensland Legal Walk 2023. The crowd started from the Brisbane waterfront, at their regional centre, local beauty spot, or solo starting at 7 am. We celebrated the legal profession’s commitment to access to justice! Stay up to date with LawRight's news to attend next year's walk! [/vc_column_text]
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