National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference 2025
by Law Council of Australia, Law Institute of Victoria, Australian Pro Bono Centre
The National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference 2025 is a premier event dedicated to addressing Australia's escalating justice crisis. Organized collaboratively by the Law Council of Australia, the Law Institute of Victoria, and the Australian Pro Bono Centre, the conference aims to unite legal professionals in advocating for systemic reform and empowering communities.
The conference will cover a range of critical topics, including transforming the justice system, truth-telling for transformational justice, ending gender-based violence, and the future of access to justice lawyering. Sessions will feature esteemed speakers such as Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, and Dr. Tessa Boyd-Caine, CEO of ANROWS, who will share their insights and strategies for advancing access to justice.
Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, including a welcome reception supported by King & Wood Mallesons. The event will also feature panel discussions and keynote addresses from notable figures in the legal and human rights sectors, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
This conference is ideal for legal professionals, including private practitioners, representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid Commissions, and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services. Participants will gain valuable insights, strategies, and collaborative networks to amplify their impact in advocating for meaningful change in the justice system.
Categories
Speakers(18)
Antoinette Braybrook AM
CEO at Djirra
Antoinette Braybrook AM discusses the role of legal assistance in ending gender-based violence, leveraging her leadership at Djirra.
Bill Nicholson
Wurundjeri Elder
Bill Nicholson provides the Welcome to Country, honoring the traditional custodians of the land.
Camilla Pandolfini
CEO at Redfern Legal Centre
Camilla Pandolfini shares insights on the future of access to justice lawyering, emphasizing community legal services.
Chris Owen
Norton Rose Fulbright Australia
Chris Owen addresses climate change, disaster response, and access to justice, drawing from his legal expertise.
Chris Povey
CEO at Justice Connect
Chris Povey provides cutting-edge insights on digital innovation, workforce wellbeing, and impact lawyering models, drawing from his extensive experience in the legal sector.
Cindy Penrose
Non-Executive Director at WEstjustice
Cindy Penrose moderates discussions on the Yoorrook Commission Model, drawing from her experience as a former CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Dominic Woolrych
CEO at LawPath
Dominic Woolrych explores the future of access to justice lawyering, focusing on technological advancements and their impact on legal services.
Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine
CEO at ANROWS
Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine leads ANROWS, focusing on ending gender-based violence and exploring the role of legal assistance in this endeavor.
Dr. Tessa Boyd-Caine
CEO at ANROWS
Dr. Tessa Boyd-Caine leads ANROWS, focusing on ending gender-based violence and exploring the role of legal assistance in this endeavor.
Hugh de Kretser
President at Australian Human Rights Commission
With over two decades of experience in human rights, community law, and law reform, Hugh de Kretser envisions a transformed justice system that better protects the rights of all Australians.
Jon Faine AM
Lawyer, Broadcaster & Writer
Jon Faine AM brings perspectives from the US social contract crisis, drawing on his extensive experience as a lawyer, broadcaster, and writer.
Karly Warner
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
Karly Warner discusses the legal assistance sector's trajectory towards 2030, focusing on Indigenous legal services.
Lynne Haultain
Executive Director at Victoria Law Foundation
Lynne Haultain offers reflections on the peculiarities and tragedy of the US social contract crisis, with insights on implications for Australia’s civic engagement.
Matthew Hibbins
President at Law Institute of Victoria
Matthew Hibbins delivers the welcome address, setting the stage for the conference discussions.
Rona Glynn-McDonald
Director & Strategic Advisor at Common Ground First Nations
A Kaytetye woman, Rona Glynn-McDonald demonstrates how storytelling becomes both a site of healing and a mechanism for systemic change, offering new pathways toward justice grounded in collective memory and Indigenous wisdom.
Rueben Berg
CEO at First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
Rueben Berg discusses the Yoorrook Commission Model, emphasizing its role in addressing systemic injustices against First Peoples.
Tania Wolff AccS(Crim)
President Elect at Law Council of Australia
Tania Wolff AccS(Crim) emphasizes the collective call to action in addressing Australia’s escalating justice crisis, advocating for systemic reform.
Travis Lovett
Deputy Chair and Commissioner at Yoorrook Justice Commission
Travis Lovett explores the Yoorrook Commission Model, focusing on truth-telling for transformational justice.
Event Details
- Date
- October 30, 2025
- Location
- 🇦🇺 Melbourne, Australia
- Grand Hyatt Melbourne
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Legal professionals, including private practitioners, representatives from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid Commissions, and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services.
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
- Attendees
- Over 300 attendees