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Pro bono work key to job satisfaction
Pro bono work is instrumental in professional development, travelling and networking opportunities and is highly rewarding personally, according to two lawyers working in this space.
Naomi Neilson
Source: linkedin.com/in/nesha-balasubramanian-25827a134/
DLA Piper Australia pro bono associates Nesha Balasubramanian and Laura Elliot said it is “vital” that lawyers and firms are involved in these channels to “effect both bottom-up empowerment and top-down reform”, and to open up opportunities for staff to develop new skills to further their careers.
According to the pair, working in this space exposes lawyers to areas of law that may have gone untouched and opens up avenues to network with clients with a variety of different needs, leading to better job satisfaction and fulfilment.
Ms Elliot said the “multifaceted” experience leads to the growth of “practical and professional skills that are transferable to every aspect of your job” and added that it is also highly beneficial in a personal sense.
“I personally find the client relationships that you form one of the most rewarding parts of pro bono work,” Ms Elliot noted. “It gives you a chance to change others' lives, even in the smallest way, and also allows them to change yours, which is very powerful.”
Ms Balasubramanian said the skills she developed included the ability to build lasting relationships with clients to deliver outcomes to meet unique funding and organisation circumstances, as well as improving quick responses and effective communication.
As part of the role, lawyers have the opportunity to travel and network with a range of clients. Ms Balasubramanian is currently on leave for 14 months to pursue a Masters of Law at Columbia University, with Ms Elliot relocating from Melbourne to Sydney to act in the role in Ms Balasubramanian leave of absence.
On top of major personal travel opportunities, Ms Balasubramanian said pro bono work can involve training or teaching programs, stakeholder and roundtable meetings, pro bono conferences or participating in a report launch that the firm provided support on.
“Through this travel you will have the opportunity to meet clients face-to-face and better understand them and how to deliver more effective outcomes,” she added.
Ms Elliot said she is “genuinely excited to come to work every day knowing that I have the chance to work with others to make a difference,” and added that the job has given her the chance to connect with like-minded people and organisations.
“As lawyers, we are privileged to be in the position to have a set of skills that can assist in meeting a huge unmet community need,” Ms Elliot said.
“Every lawyer and all law firms have a role to play in furthering access to justice and the benefits of pro bono work for both lawyers and law firms are endless.”
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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