The publication said that the firm distinguished itself “in a field replete with outstanding pro bono practices from across the globe”
Clayton Utz has been named Who’s Who Legal’s leading pro bono firm for the second year in a row.
“In a field replete with outstanding pro bono practices from across the globe, Clayton Utz once again distinguished itself,” the global publication said.
The announcement was made at Who’s Who Legal’s annual awards in London last month. The publication cited the firm’s appointment of two dedicated pro bono partners and the “impressively high engagement figures throughout all levels of the firm” as factors in its win.
“The way in which pro bono work is made intrinsic to the firm’s working practice really stood out,” Who’s Who Legal said.
The head of Clayton Utz’s national pro bono group, David Hillard, accepted the award on behalf of the firm and said that he was honoured by the global recognition Clayton Utz has received for its pro bono efforts over the years. Hillard works alongside fellow pro bono partner Jessica Morath.
Over the 2020 financial year alone, Clayton Utz said that it has logged 47,000 hours of pro bono service to “to low-income and vulnerable people who could not obtain legal aid and to the not-for-profits which support them.” In this period, the firm reported an average of 55 hours of pro bono work per lawyer – the fifth year in which it has exceeded a 50-hour average.
The firm has played a role in 1,239 pro bono matters throughout FY2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic boosting the demand for legal assistance.
“One in every 27 hours of legal work was for a pro bono client. And those numbers are growing with the increased legal need caused by COVID-19. The last six months were the firm's busiest ever for pro bono work,” Clayton Utz said.
Since the launch of its formal pro bono practice in 1997, Clayton Utz has extended over 725,000 hours of pro bono service.
