Law firms that failed to meet pro bono targets were rewarded with appointments to the government’s legal services panel, despite a directive from Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus tying charitable work to Commonwealth engagements.
Major government billers HWL Ebsworth and Maddocks missed the 35 pro bono hours per lawyer target for three consecutive years but were reappointed to the panel in full. Thomson Geer, which logged just 17 hours per lawyer, had its mandate increased.
