Reconciliation is about understanding the histories, cultures and experiences that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have had in Australia, and using this understanding to guide positive action.
Colin Biggers & Paisley is proud to announce the launch of its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) today.
The RAP outlines the practice's commitment to reconciliation and respectful and impactful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. The RAP also emphasises the practice's commitment to improve access to justice and to create job opportunities through the
Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Foundation has developed strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community partners, including, the Arts Law Centre of Australia, Tribal Wave Regional Assembly, Woor-Dungin, Career Trackers, as well as Women's Legal Service, Marrickville Legal Centre and Justice Connect.
Pivotal to the success of these relationships is that the practice is guided by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities themselves.
"We take a whole-of-client view to each community partnership. We turn our minds to the challenges our community partners have and the resources and passions that our practice can offer and we match these together," said Nick Crennan, Managing Partner of the practice.
"Our contribution is across a number of areas including pro bono legal advice, volunteering, human resources, finance and marketing. The relationships we build with our community partners not only strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but supports an inclusive culture in our practice."
The RAP also includes commitments to providing opportunities for employment and to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses through procurement of goods and services and commercial partnerships.
"We believe reconciliation is an opportunity to create positive change and help achieve greater justice and social equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is our hope that together we will be active champions of reconciliation at work, with our clients, in the legal profession and in the broader community," said Stephen Thompson, Pro Bono Lead Partner.
Click
here to download the RAP.
For more information please contact Linda Branton on 02 8281 4594 or linda.branton@cbp.com.au.
About Colin Biggers & Paisley
Colin Biggers & Paisley was founded over a century ago. Today we are a legal practice with 68 partners and 470 employees. We are highly regarded for our expertise in construction, insurance, property, government, commercial litigation and dispute resolution, banking and finance, corporate and commercial, employment and safety, planning and environment, restructuring and insolvency, transport and logistics. We act for major corporations, financial institutions, insurance companies, government departments and individuals. We have both the capacity and the expertise to deliver on complex national and multinational projects.
Colin Biggers & Paisley is based in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Through our growing Middle East Practice and our affiliation with ADVOC Asia, ADVOC International, ADVOC Europe and ADVOC Latin America, we are able to offer access to quality legal advice around the globe.
We launched the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation in 2015, with a core focus on promoting and protecting the rights of women and children in Australia and abroad through an innovative mix of pro bono legal services, volunteering and charitable contributions.