Community Partnerships Program
Committed to the communities in which we live and work.
Our Community Partnership Program (CPP) is a framework through which we facilitate sustainable economic, social and cultural change in areas of the community that are most in need. Recognising that ‘community’ means different things to different people, we strive to provide a range of options for participation including volunteering, pro bono work and secondments, mentoring, and fundraising initiatives and events.
Through our pro bono work we regularly respond to and contribute to the development of government policy affecting the not-for-profit sector and work with numerous peak bodies to support their advocacy work across a range of issues. We support a range of community legal clinics and also establish charitable entities and provide advice on tax concession endorsement, employment and industrial relations, intellectual property, privacy and property. We believe that our staff have a fundamental professional responsibility to conduct pro bono work as part of their everyday practice and, upholding the highest standard of service, strive to obtain positive and commercial outcomes for our pro bono clients.
Led by our Pro Bono Partner Tim Longwill, we have adopted a formal pro bono target as a signatory of the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s National Pro Bono Target. We have been a signatory of this target since 2009 and are making consistent improvements toward our target of at least 35 hours per lawyer per year.
Royal Flying Doctor Service – QLD
We have proudly partnered with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) since 2006, making them one of our longest-standing community partners. This enduring partnership reflects our commitment to Queensland’s rural and agricultural communities, which are home to many of our valued clients. By helping fund essential equipment and programs for these remote areas, we support both their well-being and the industries that are vital to our shared future.
Maxi the lifeguard
We have provided pro bono support to Leigh Mason and Trent Maxwell, who founded Live Learn Survive, advising them on a range of matters, including IP protection, commercial agreements and establishment of their charity. Since 2020, we’ve supported this not-for-profit through their expansion and continually assist them in achieving their mission of teaching life-saving water and life skills to children and young adults across the globe.
Community housing
We are privileged to partner with a diverse range of for-purpose organisations (including many community housing providers) who make a real difference in our community, as well as sector leaders and key stakeholders. We support our clients’ vision of addressing the housing crisis across Australia through our market-leading services and deep sector knowledge.
We are at the forefront of new developments and key initiatives, including state and federal funding opportunities for community housing, specialist disability accommodation, and build to rent projects. In addition to these exciting projects, we also support a number of community housing providers on all aspects of their day to day operations, including governance advice; employment policies, agreements and disputes; service agreements and privacy requirements.
Our team is committed to the growth of the sector, and is regularly involved in advocacy for key issues, as well as training and resources on emerging themes and changes in law.
Queensland Ballet
Having supported Queensland Ballet since 2006, this partnership reflects our deep commitment to nurturing long-term relationships and contributing to Queensland’s vibrant cultural landscape. At McCullough Robertson, we are particularly proud to have supported Queensland Ballet in launching The Forever Fund, an Endowment Fund that will secure the sustainability and growth of this iconic arts organisation. Our pro bono legal expertise will help ensure the fund achieves its vision of providing stability for Queensland Ballet’s talented artists and arts workers, fostering innovation, and preserving its legacy for future generations.
LawRight
We are proud to partner with LawRight in delivering essential pro bono legal services as a member of their community legal clinics. Tim Longwill, our pro bono partner is also a member of LawRights Board and we also provide secondee lawyers to LawRight.
This partnership enables us to assist vulnerable individuals navigating complex legal issues across areas such as employment law, bankruptcy, anti-discrimination, information privacy, consumer law, judicial review of government decisions, and federal tribunal appeals. Through onsite services at the Commonwealth Law Courts in Brisbane and remote support across Queensland, we provide tailored assistance ranging from legal advice and document drafting to negotiation and court representation. Our work with LawRight reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring access to justice for those in need and addressing critical gaps in legal support within our community.
Arts Law Centre of Australia
Australia’s independent national community legal centre for the arts, Arts Law is a not-for-profit providing specialised legal advice, education and resources to Australian artists and arts organisations across all art forms.
As part of our partnership, lawyers Hasmindar Dhillon engaged in a secondment where she delivered legal advice to filmmakers, writers, musicians and artists, negotiated and drafted licensing and art commission contracts, and helped local government and arts organisations create best practice contracts and policies. This visit is just the beginning of our journey in support of Arts Law and their commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists across Australia.
Our community partnerships contacts
Tim Longwill
Pro Bono Partner
Kim Trajer
Chief Operating Officer
Lou Ferris
Chief People Officer
Collaborate with us
As part of our investment into the communities in which we live and work, we are always keen to collaborate with new community partners. Reach out to us today.