Reconciliation goes beyond commitments on paper. We aim to embed reconciliation in how we listen, learn and act alongside First Nations people and communities. Focusing on education, employment, building cultural capability and genuine community engagement across Australia.

Reconciliation: our RAP journey and achievements

Our reconciliation journey builds on decades of learnings and experiences across our offices. Moving forward together as a national firm marks a change in ambition and accountability.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan guides how we turn intent into action. We are committed to the actions set out in our RAP and publicly reporting our RAP achievements, challenges and learnings.

Deepening cultural capability

Investing in our cultural capacity and deepening our understanding of the experiences of First Nations people strengthens our ability to support and advocate alongside them, including in ways that are culturally informed and community centred.

Supporting pathways into law

We support First Nations pathways and opportunities in the legal profession. Through our partnership with CareerTrackers, we provide law students with internships and career support during their studies. We host CareerTrackers interns in our Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane offices, with paid internships offered each winter and summer. Gadens has been a longstanding partner of CareerTrackers, being one of 10 organisations to sign on as a 10-year partner as part of the 10x10 initiative in 2015. 

Partnering with community organisations

We collaborate with a range of First-Nations led organisations to support education, leadership development and community programs for First Nations people.

Governance and accountability

Our national First Nations Engagement Group (FNEG) drives reconciliation across the firm and is made up of representatives from across all offices, including partners, lawyers, paralegals and business services staff. It is supported by our First Nations Employees Advisory Group (FNEAG), whose members provide direct feedback on RAP initiatives. Our CEO and Managing Partner, Mark Pistilli, serves as Senior RAP Champion, responsible for championing the RAP internally and keeping our people focused and motivated.

Our pro bono commitment

We provide legal assistance with the aim of removing barriers to justice and supporting community-led outcomes.

Through our pro bono program, we collaborate with community legal centres and First Nations organisations to assist them with:

• supporting significant strategic litigation run by community and not-for-profit legal centres
• providing a broad range of legal support to family violence organisations, including organisations that operate shelters for victim/survivors of family violence
• supporting community legal centres and non-profit organisations with large scale advocacy projects
• providing legal support to victims of financial abuse and advocating for law reform
• supporting First Nations Artists and First Nations Arts Organisations, including advising on copyright, contracts and projects
• assisting community organisations and not-for-profit organisations with policy and research work.
  

Examples of work