The Impact Project
Making a meaningful difference to our communities and environment
As a firm, and individually, we understand the importance of contributing positively to the communities in which we live and conduct our business – so we created the Impact Project.
The Impact Project is an integral part of BN and includes our pro bono and responsible business practices, with a particular focus on: providing free legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people, supporting charitable and community causes, advancing equality for First Nations peoples, and driving sustainability and ESG initiatives across the firm.
Our Latest Achievements
Pro Bono
- 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)
- 40 hours per lawyer in pro bono services
- 9,100 total pro bono hours
- $2,600,000 value provided to pro bono clients
- $50,000 in donations to community legal centres
Sustainability
- 2024 Silver Medal awarded by global sustainability ratings agency
- 2024 CitySwitch Award for greening our supply chain
- 80% renewable energy across our six offices
- 100% renewable energy target of 2025 (5 years ahead of SBTi Target)
- 91% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions (exceeding SBTi Target of 42%)
Community
- $200,000 in donations to First Nations youth charity Shoreline
- $110,000 in donations to charitable and community organisations last year
- Donations of laptops, mobile phones and office furniture to charities
- Charitable volunteering, donation drives and fundraising events
Reconciliation
- Four First Nations student internships
- Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan endorsed by Reconciliation Australia
- Traditional Aboriginal place names recognised in our six office locations
- Provided seed funding to support the establishment of a not for profit organisation dedicated to traditional place names and cultural preservation
- Strong business connections with Supply Nation businesses
- Expanding our awareness of First Nations perspectives and culture
Pro Bono
BN’s dedicated pro bono practice seeks to address systemic legal problems and improve access to justice.
We do this by providing 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 are committed to providing free legal services equivalent to at least 35 hours per lawyer each year.
- Please note that we are currently not accepting direct requests for pro bono assistance. Please contact your local Community Legal Centre or Legal Aid service here.
Sustainability
We recognise the urgent need to address climate change and enhance our environmental performance to help shape a greener, more sustainable future.
In line with our commitment to making a positive impact, our Net Zero Plan sets forth a strategic roadmap for reducing our carbon footprint as a firm.
To ensure transparency and accountability, we have rigorously assessed our inventory and emissions using industry-leading frameworks. These assessments serve as the foundation for our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, reflecting our understanding of the interconnectedness between corporate actions and global environmental impacts.
Our sustainability committee leads the way on identifying initiatives to reach our targets including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and consumables, and identifying ways to increase our sustainable procurement.
We work with leading sustainability organisations including Australian Legal Sector Alliance, EcoVadis and CitySwitch to pursue a ‘best in class’ approach to sustainability.
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, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Flood Appeals, Mito Foundation, Harrison’s Little Wings, Tour de Cure, Royal Far West and many others. BN supports our people to volunteer through arranging opportunities for community engagement, as well as providing paid volunteer leave.
Reconciliation
BN recognises the importance of a just and equitable Australia and the significance of reconciliation.
The driving force behind our reconciliation initiatives is a desire to effect positive and meaningful change for Australia’s First Nations peoples. At the core of our focus is cultural empowerment and leadership by First Nations peoples toward reconciliation.
Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) not only marks the next phase of our reconciliation journey, but also solidifies and formalises our existing and ongoing commitment towards reconciliation using real and measurable steps.
BN’s First Nations led reconciliation committee implements our RAP and leads our reconciliation initiatives which include supporting events, scholarships, internships, procurement and cultural awareness.
Human Rights & Modern Slavery
BN is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business dealings. We care deeply about what we do, and how we do it.
We are committed to actively addressing modern slavery risks in our business and supply chain, and our suppliers are assessed using Fair Supply’s comprehensive modern slavery platform. We also have comprehensive training, policies, procedures and grievance mechanisms addressing any potential human rights or modern slavery risks.