Russell McVeagh ups pro-bono work to keep lawyers busy
It might not be great for the bottom line but at least two community law clinics are benefiting from a slow down in legal work coming through the doors at Russell McVeagh.
Russell McVeagh chief executive Gary McDiarmid says that the firm has expended its pro bono work as legal work slowed down.
“We are encouraging our lawyers to do more of that work,” he says.
As law firms mirrored what was going on in business Russell McVeagh was feeling work had slowed down.
He said that things at top tier law firms in Australian and New Zealand were not as bad as they were in cities like New York and London.
“We have come off a very good run,” he says.
Russell McVeagh has been providing lawyers for one day a week at Community Law Centres – one in Mangere, Auckland and a second in Wellington since the 1980s.
The firm also provides lawyers for Cure Kids, Karori Sanctuary Trust, the New Zealand Film Festival Trust.
As a result of the firm's pro bono work it has been nominated for this year’s Australasian ALB corporate citizenship award – the only New Zealand law firm to do so.
Mr McDiarmid says that Russell McVeagh felt it was better to have their lawyers being challenged than for them not to be busy.
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Comments and questions8
Hooray..lawyers having a tough time of it! Long may it last. Perhaps now they might get realistic about their fees and realise that they cannot fleece their clients to provide a champagne lifestyle and ostentacious offices to work in(not in all cases but in many). They are a service industry and nothing else...just like plumbers, builders etc.
Lawyers are a service industry but two points you should have considered before typing your rather abrupt opinion:
1. Plumbers and other industries are charging exorbidant fees currently as well, that is the nature of a free market economy, if demand is high the price goes up if demand is low the price goes down. We enjoy the good times just like the bad times;
2. Lawyers have to get a small thing called a law degree prior to practicing this small difference is what differentiates this service industry from the "plumbers and etc's" that you referred to. The law degree provides a barrier to entry that inevitably decreases supply, it is also a qualification that partially justifies the fees;
3. You can always defend yourself if you think the fees are not justified then surely you probably also believe that you are capable of performing the service with a small bit of practice, so- just do it! In case you were wondering the law in New Zealand allows you to do so.
Now just a final remark so that you dont call me 'a lawyer'. I not I am merely a law student. PS: if you note Russell McVeagh provides pro bono services despite recessionary periods, last time I checked I didnt here of many plumbers providing such.
Looks like you have missed the point of the article Anonymous. Pro Bono means:
'Done without compensation for the public good.' Are there free plumbers and builders around?
Your points 2 and 3 are fine. But why do you assume that "free markets" and profit maximization are okay? Are you one of those people who thinks free-market Capitalism was handed down at Sinai?
I'm guessing you've never had to deal with the "bad times" personally. It should be a very interesting next couple of years for you.
Your argument is fine, maybe keep studying though or learn how to use spellcheck.
Many plumbers do provide free and discounted services to disadvantaged, the elderly etc.(i know because i have a family member who is one) and i know a builder who participates in building houses for charitable causes for no money. He is a very community spirited fellow as are some of his colleagues. These people do not go to the media about the good they are doing. Lawyers love the publicity that pro bono work gives them...the feel good factor and to drum up business! Doing things for charities is what many corporates and private people do daily ....that's the NZ thing...so no big deal to say lawyers doing it too. As for getting a law degree...not hard ......or special.....i have one !
Despite the spelling, the anonymous law student makes some good points. The key point is that lawyers should be encouraged to do as much pro bono work as possible. This is what the article was actually about. Strangely, some pro-plumber commentators have decided to use an article on free community work to have another crack at lawyers. All of the young lawyers I know are far removed from a "champagne lifestyle". Most of them genuinely want to use their skills in some way for the benefit of society. The free legal advice given to citizens through community law centres can make a considerable difference to the recipients. Now what can be wrong with that? Try not to be so angry and ask what you can do for the community instead.
how would I find a lawyer near me who would take on the council and 8 people who live in a subdivision who wont clear drains that are causing flooding to my property ?
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