The Impact Project
Making a meaningful difference to our people and the environment.
At BN, we believe in the power of positive contribution - both as a firm and as individuals. That’s why we created the Impact Project which brings together our pro bono and responsible business initiatives, focusing on:
- Providing free legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people
- Supporting charitable and community causes
- Advancing equality for First Nations peoples
- Driving sustainability and ESG initiatives across the firm.
Our Latest Achievements
Pro Bono
- Pro Bono Program of the Year - Australian Law Awards 2025 (finalist)
- Pro Bono Partner of the Year – Katie Swain, Lawyers Weekly 2024 (winner)
- Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year - Emma Blay, Lawyers Weekly 2024 (finalist)
- Pro Bono Program of the Year – Barry Nilsson, Lawyers Weekly 2024 (finalist)
- $2,700,000+ in free community legal services and support provided annually
Environment
- 100% renewable electricity across all six locations (achieved 5 years ahead of 2030 target)
- 99% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions- 57% ahead of Science Based Target
- Ranked in the 83rd percentile by global sustainability ratings agency, EcoVadis
- Received CitySwitch Award for staff engagement in sustainability initiatives
- Achieved Environmental Management System certification
Community
- $150,000+ support for charitable and community organisations
- 400+ hours of charitable volunteering
- Charitable Partnership with Two Good Foundation providing $70,000 in support in its first year
Reconciliation
- Eightfold increase in our procurement with First Nations businesses
- 64% of our people attended voluntary cultural awareness training
- Two First Nations student internships each year
- Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan endorsed
Pro Bono
Our dedicated pro bono practice addreses systemic legal challenges and improves access to justice.
We provide free legal assistance to disadvantaged, marginalised and vulnerable people, and the charities and not for profit organisations that support them.
As a signatory to the Australian Pro Bono Centre Pro Bono Target, we commit to at least 35 hours of free legal services per lawyer each year.
- Please note that we do not accept direct requests for pro bono assistance. Please contact your local Community Legal Centre or Legal Aid service here.
Social Justice for Women: read about our pro bono impact here.
Environment
We recognise the urgency of climate action and are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050. Our strategic decarbonisation pathway is aligned with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), ensuring our targets support limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
We maintain transparency and accountability through rigorous emissions assessments using industry-leading frameworks. Our certified Environmental Management System (EMS) underpins our Net Zero Plan, providing a structured approach to managing and reducing environmental impacts.
Key Achievements
- 100% renewable electricity across all six locations (achieved ahead of 2030 target)
- 99% absolute reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions from our 2023 baseline (57% ahead of near-term target)
Our decarbonisation focus
Having achieved our Scope 1 & 2 Targets, we are focussed on Scope 3 decarbonisation. These emissions arise primarily indirectly, through our supply chain, business travel and employee commuting.
We are addressing these through:
- Net zero engagement with our supply chain.
- Optimising sustainable travel and accommodation providers.
- Our Business Travel Policy which reduces travel and prioritises lower emission options.
Community
It’s important for us to use our skills, resources and knowledge to support our community and empower our people to make a difference. We proudly support charities and not for profit organisations through donations, fundraising, sponsorships and volunteering.
BN’s major charitable partner is Two Good Foundation. Two Good exists to change the course of women with lived experience of family violence, homelessness and trauma - they believe that through experiences that promote love and respect, you can spark and nurture a sense of self-worth for those on the path of healing. After years of living in crisis, restoring self-worth is foundational for independence and changing the course of people’s lives. Through the creation of beautiful food and gifts, Two Good supports and empowers women through connection, support, skills development, employment and showing the pathway to heal from financial and other abuse.
We also support other charitable causes championed by our people. These include Foodbank, RSPCA, Ronald McDonald House, OzHarvest, Fare Share, Tour de Cure, and many others. BN supports our people to volunteer through arranging opportunities for community engagement, as well as providing paid volunteer leave.
Reconciliation
As a firm, we are unwaveringly committed to effecting positive social impact and reconciliation. This is embedded across our business through our values, strategic priorities and governance. The driving force for this commitment is our sense of justice, and doing what is fair and right.
As we continue our journey towards reconciliation through our Innovate RAP, we commit to deeply understanding First Nations peoples, where inequalities lie, and our pathway as a law firm to make a meaningful difference through pro bono legal services, employment and business relationships.
Guided by our First Nations leaders, and focused on cultural empowerment, we embark on the next stage of our reconciliation journey with an unwavering commitment to creating a future we can all be proud of.
Diversity & Inclusion
Our Impact Project reflects a deep commitment to building a culture that is positive, safe and inclusive. We believe diversity fuels strategic thinking, creativity and collaboration. It enables us to approach challenges from new angles, uncover innovative solutions and deliver exceptional outcomes for our people, our clients and our communities.
Our Diversity & Inclusion initiative, BN Included, plays a central role in advancing inclusive practices across the firm. It supports the implementation of our market-leading strategy and ensures that inclusion is part of how we work and how we make a difference.
This ongoing commitment is one of the reasons we have been repeatedly recognised as an Australasian Lawyer Employer of Choice, now for seven years in a row. It is a reflection of the impact we strive to make every day.
Human Rights and Modern Slavery
We act ethically and with integrity in all business dealings. We care deeply about what we do, and how we do it.
BN is committed to actively addressing modern slavery risks in our business and supply chain, and our suppliers are assessed using Fair Supply Analytics’ comprehensive modern slavery platform. We also have comprehensive training, policies, procedures and grievance mechanisms addressing any potential human rights or modern slavery risks.