Boutique firms see pro bono hours fall amid mounting pressures

As per a recent Lawyers Weekly article, the average number of pro bono hours undertaken per lawyer has risen to 43.1 hours for large firms, 31.5 hours for paralegals, and 93.1 hours for individuals.

In FY25–26, 110 small law firms, employing 1,162 full-time equivalent lawyers, reported an average of 44.2 pro bono hours per lawyer.

While this decreased from 51.4 hours in FY2024–25, 43 firms met or exceeded the National Pro Bono Target, maintaining the previous year’s result.

With an average participation rate of 68.8 per cent, boutique firms have still demonstrated a large commitment to providing accessible legal assistance to those in need.

Role of boutique firms in delivering pro bono services

Talking to Lawyers Weekly, Australian Pro Bono Centre CEO Gabriela Christian-Hare was pressed on the role of boutique firms in delivering pro bono services.

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“This year’s target results demonstrate that boutique firms remain committed to pro bono,” Christian-Hare said.

“Twenty new law firms joined the target this year – most of which are boutique firms.

“Overall, 110 law firms with fewer than 50 lawyers reported on the pro bono hours of 1,162 full-time equivalent lawyers.

“While large firms contribute significantly to the target results, boutique firms play an equally important role.”

Christian-Hare noted that the importance of this contribution is particularly evident given the strong nature that many boutique firms have with their local communities.

One example is Pascale Legal, a boutique firm that celebrated 15 years as a small, family-run practice and is deeply committed to its local Salisbury community and the families and businesses it serves.

“Many boutique firms are based in local communities, including suburban, regional, and rural areas,” Christian-Hare said.

“They therefore provide assistance to clients who may have limited access to large city-based firms.

“Boutique firms also tend to focus on areas of practice – including employment, family law, and commercial litigation – which can be highly valuable to a range of pro bono clients.”

Boutique pro bono hours fell

With an average participation rate of 68.8 per cent, which was down from 72.3 per cent in FY24–25, Christian-Hare described a number of pressures that may explain the change in pro bono hours amongst smaller firms.

“Many boutique firms are navigating significant pressures, including the rapid adoption of AI and new technologies, the implementation of anti-money laundering reforms, and ongoing economic pressures,” Christian-Hare said.

“These demands can constrain boutique firms’ capacity to undertake pro bono work.

“Nevertheless, many continue to uphold their commitment to the target as evidenced by this year’s results.”

How can boutique firms be better supported?

Christian-Hare highlighted numerous practical steps that can assist boutique firms in accessing opportunities and strengthening their pro bono practices.

“Boutique firms are encouraged to make use of local pro bono referral schemes to have ready access to pro bono opportunities, and to consult the Australian Pro Bono Centre’s resources – including its flagship Australian Pro Bono Manual – to support the management and growth of their pro bono practices,” Christian-Hare said.

“We also encourage smaller firms to build relationships with local community legal centres and other legal assistance sector organisations, court-sponsored programs, and local not-for-profits to source appropriate matters.”

Such relationships can help firms appreciate the broader professional community advantages that come as a result of participating in pro bono work.

“While pro bono service is a shared responsibility across the full legal profession, it also provides opportunities for professional development, staff engagement, and building the reputation of the firm and its community connection, all of which should be well communicated internally to support participation by lawyers in boutique firms,” Christian-Hare said.