Fasken Martineau, Johannesburg has won the “Large Law Firm" award for having done the most pro bono work for ProBono.Org in 2016 for a large law firm with more than 50 partners at the 2017 ProBono.Org awards.

ProBono.org celebrates the remarkable work done by lawyers, among others, in promoting human rights and providing much needed legal services to marginalised individuals and communities.

“This award reflects our commitment to doing good in the communities in which we serve. One of Fasken Martineau’s core values is to make a difference in our communities and we are passionate about restoring dignity and ensuring equal access to the law,” says Blaize Vance, Fasken Martineau’s Managing Partner for the Johannesburg office.

During 2016, professionals at the firm performed a total of 8 836 pro bono hours, equating to a value of R14,8 million, on matters referred to it by ProBono.Org. This represents almost a third – 30,8% – of the value created by private law firms who did pro bono work through ProBono.org last year.

The firm believes that legal education and advocacy play an important role in fostering a pro bono culture and promoting access to justice. In light of this, professionals at the firm host workshops and events to train and share information on an ongoing basis. These workshops and events help to equip legal professionals, social workers and community representatives, among others, with the relevant and necessary skills to do pro bono work.

Fasken Martineau has a dedicated pro bono department and all of our attorneys also do pro bono work within their areas of expertise.

“Our busy professionals also make time to work at legal clinics and help desks, reflecting the essence of our pro bono culture,” says Vance. These include: the Housing Legal Clinic, Refugee Legal Clinic, the Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development, Families South Africa (FAMSA) and Yakha Isizwe Business Law help desks.