![]() Depending on the circumstances of the client’s case, the law may not be so complex that a competent lawyer with adequate time and access to appropriate support cannot readily provide useful assistance. Lawyers are able to do this because they know the framework of a particular area, where to look for detail and where to obtain support, including conceptual and strategic advice. Lawyers are asked on a regular basis to undertake commercial legal work involving areas with which they are not familiar. The generic skills of a typical lawyer, namely legal research and writing, fact-gathering, the ability to marshal persuasive arguments, advocacy and negotiation skills, combined with their particular specialist skills, can be used to assist individual people experiencing disadvantage or the community organisations that exist to assist them. Making the best use of the existing skill base It is possible to explore models of pro bono practice that involve partnerships between pro bono lawyers and staff from community legal organisations working together using complementary skills.Even where an area of law is very complex, for example family law, there may be discrete related areas, for example family violence orders and victims of crime compensation, where it is possible for lawyers to acquire the necessary expertise. There are some areas of law relevant to assisting people experiencing disadvantage where it is relatively easy to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge through research, training or supervised practice.Firms can also start from their existing skill base to identify ways in which those particular skills may be of use to disadvantaged communities. Lawyers have a range of generic and specialist skills that can be adapted and built upon. The mismatch may not be so serious that it prevents pro bono lawyers from providing effective assistance.This sub-chapter notes several possible responses to this dilemma: These skills and knowledge may be legal or non-legal. One commonly identified barrier to the provision of pro bono legal services is the mismatch that can arise between the skills and knowledge of lawyers willing to undertake pro bono legal work and those required to effectively address the needs of pro bono clients. 1.14.1 MISMATCH BETWEEN LAWYERS’ EXPERTISE AND CLIENTS’ NEEDS The Centre acknowledges and is grateful for the generous contributions of all those who assisted with the 2022 refresh of the Australian Pro Bono Manual. This chapter was reviewed in 2022 by the Australian Pro Bono Centre and various experts with relevant lived experience, as indicated in the acknowledgements which follow each sub-chapter. 1.14.6 Delivering legal services virtually.1.14.5 Working with clients with disabilities.1.14.4 Working with clients requiring interpreters.1.14.3 Working with clients with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.1.14.2 Working with clients who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.1.14.1 Mismatch between lawyers’ expertise & clients’ needs.Chap 3.3: Pro bono referral schemes and organisations. ![]() Chap 3.2: Community Legal Centres, Indigenous Legal Organisations and other legal organisations.Chap 1.16: A small law firm perspective.Chap 1.15: A mid-sized firm perspective.Chap 1.14: Assisting clients with diverse needs.Chap 1.11: Crediting and recognising pro bono legal work.Chap 1.9: Managing the pro bono practice.Chap 1.7: Current models of pro bono legal work.Chap 1.8: Setting targets and budgets for pro bono legal work and programs.Chap 1.6: Identifying needs and sources of pro bono legal work.Chap 1.1: Planning pro bono for the firm.Planning, Developing and Maintaining a Program
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