Pro bono legal services

Herbert Geer's commitment to pro bono services was recognised in 2006 when Henrik Lassen, chair of Herbert Geer’s pro bono committee, was made a life member of the Fitzroy Legal Service. The Fitzroy Legal Service has been operating for 30 years and has awarded eight life memberships in that time. In 2003, Henrik also received a certificate of appreciation from the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) for outstanding volunteer contributions to the Fitzroy Legal Service.

Herbert Geer is a member of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH), an independent, not-for-profit organisation which is committed to furthering the public interest, improving access to justice and protecting human rights. PILCH does this by facilitating pro bono legal services to individuals and organisations in need in Victoria, New South Wales and Queeensland, and by undertaking law reform, policy work and legal education. Herbert Geer is also referred pro bono work by related PILCH organisations such as the Legal Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Scheme and the New South Wales Cancer Council Legal Services.

Australian Senior Rights Legal Clinic
In conjunction with PILCH, Herbert Geer facilitates a fortnightly legal clinic for seniors. Through the clinic, Herbert Geer practitioners are able to deliver pro bono legal services to individuals at risk of elder abuse.

Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is a national charity that works to make children’s safety and welfare a priority. The foundation's services include counselling, advocacy, education, child abuse prevention, inspiring and supporting parents, and research. Herbert Geer provides a wide variety of pro bono legal advice to the Australian Childhood Foundation, including corporate and commercial advice, employment advice, trade mark and other intellectual property advice.

World Vision
World Vision works with poor, marginalised people and communities to improve their lives and take control of their futures. Herbert Geer provides pro bono legal advice to World Vision on a wide range of legal issues.

NSW Cancer Patients Legal Services (CPLS)
The CPLS is a joint initiative of the Cancer Council NSW and the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) NSW.  It facilitates the provisions of the pro bono legal services to cancer patients in NSW through its legal partners, which includes Herbert Geer. In 2008. the Cancer Council NSW commissioned a scoping study to investigate the possible establishment of a pilot legal service.  The study revealed a strong need for the service across NSW and an absence of alternative means for many patients to access legal advice, particularly in light of the high costs of cancer.  Herbert Geer provides a range of legal services to patients that have been diagnosed including wills, powers of attorney and enduring guardianship, mortgages, employment and discrimination.

Mensheds Australia Limited
Mensheds Australia Limited is a not-for-profit charity, and with DGR status, Men’s Sheds performs a significant and practical role in addressing men’s issues including men’s health, isolation, loneliness and depression.  The Mensheds organization creates local meeting places, ideally in dedicated buildings to allow men to meet, form relationships with each other and with service providers while engaging in activities that suit them and their community.  There are over 250 affiliated Mensheds in Australia, operating in every state and territory.  There are several Mensheds servicing remote indigenous communities.Dan Brush, a partner at Herbert Geer is a Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors and works with other Herbert Geer lawyers to provide a full range of legal services to Men’s Sheds including employment and commercial matters, corporate governance and fund raising grant applications and acquittal work.

Gondwana Voices Limited
The mission of Gondwana Choirs is to develop a unique Australian choral voice whilst providing training and opportunity for talented young Australians to perform with innovation and excellence alongside artists of the highest calibre in Australia and throughout the world.  Herbert Geer was involved in the advertising/ sponsorship deal between Qantas and Gondwana Voices Limited, where the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s choir was featured in Qantas’ new version of its high profile “I Still Call Australia Home” advertising campaign.

Museum & Galleries NSW
Museums & Galleries NSW is the leading agency to develop, support and promote regional, community and public museums and galleries across New South Wales.  Dan Brush, a partner at Herbert Geer is a director of Museums & Galleries NSW.  Dan works with other Herbert Geer lawyers to provide legal services to the Museums & Galleries NSW in relation to commercial issues, grant applications and acquittals, corporate governance and fundraising issues