Introduction to the 2024 Annual Progress Report
Arnold Bloch Leibler published the Statement of Commitment in 2021.
The Statement of Commitment captures the responsibilities and obligations of the firm’s Partners and staff in support of Indigenous self-determination. It records the firm’s longstanding commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and individuals over more than 30 years. It sets out the AISN’s initiatives, activities and annual priorities and features some of the clients Arnold Bloch Leibler works with and the causes we work towards in solidarity with First Nations Australians.
Reporting
To ensure we measure the impact of the actions taken in line with annual priorities, the Statement of Commitment includes a commitment to report annually on the firm’s progress against our stated objectives and priorities, using a specifically designed impact model (ABL Impact Model). This requires the AISN to monitor, review and report on activities and analyse them qualitatively and quantitatively using the ABL Impact Model.
As set out in the Statement of Commitment, the ABL Impact Model is designed to assist the firm and the AISN to:
- identify the rationale/objective of an activity so we can analyse the cause-and-effect relationship between activities and their longer-term impact;
- guide planning, design and execution of activities;
- identify where resources are best utilised; and
- encourage all staff members to view AISN projects within the wider organisational context.
This Annual Progress Report uses the framework of the ABL Impact Model to seek to meaningfully track and report on our stated “inputs”, “activities” and “outputs”. In doing so, we have collected, reviewed and reported on both qualitative and quantitative data sources. This process has enabled us to analyse our stated outputs and, ultimately, the impact the firm and the AISN have had over the course of the third year since the launch of the Statement of Commitment.
The ABL Impact Model continues to assist us to reflect on our achievements and strengths as well as areas we can improve on next year and in the years to come and has formed part of the development of our priorities for 2025.
The ABL Impact Model stems from “Theory of Change” methodology which seeks to comprehensively map out the steps required to achieve long-term goals. In the 2023 progress report, we acknowledged that this methodology has its limitations and should never be used to position us as a law firm as the central ‘change makers’. We remain conscious of the fact that meaningful change for the better should be informed and led by First Nations peoples and communities, with their representative organisations providing support where appropriate. We acknowledge that, as an internal committee, we are often required to make decisions without direct involvement from First Nations peoples but we remain committed to ensuring our overarching purposes and objectives are informed by the views of First Nations peoples, particularly the views of the many First Nations clients and friends of the firm.
In addition to committing to producing an Annual Progress Report, in 2021 the AISN committed to providing monthly updates to the firm’s Partners on the implementation of the Statement of Commitment. Save for one month, the AISN met this commitment in 2024.
In 2024, prior to every monthly partners’ meeting (save for one), the AISN provided updates to Arnold Bloch Leibler’s public interest partner, Peter Seidel, who reported on the progress of the AISN to the partners.
The tabling of these updates at the partners’ monthly meetings continues to provide an effective mechanism that connects the AISN directly to the ABL partnership. Informed discussion at those meetings often follows the tabling of the reports, which again reinforces the fact that the important work of the AISN is recognised and highly valued by the ABL partnership.
Priorities for 2024
Our priorities for 2024 were:
- To remain focused on and committed to respectfully listening and responding to First Nations perspectives on the referendum result, and to use all our energies and resources as a law firm committed to Indigenous empowerment to help bring about the necessary statutory, policy and common law changes that First Nations people would like to see as their preferred alternatives to the Voice.
- To evaluate the impact of the First Nations Procurement List and Procurement Questionnaire on procurement by employees at Arnold Bloch Leibler and consider other ways to encourage an increase in the percentage of spending by the firm on First Nations businesses, including continuing to explore opportunities for large-scale procurement.
- To create a working group that, with the key guidance of, and in collaboration with, the Human Resources team, reviews and develops recommendations to the Partners that are aimed at facilitating First Nations recruitment and retention, which may for example focus on:
- which types of events are most successful at attracting First Nations law students and others (together with the Human Resources team); and
- the potential for a First Nations paralegal cadetship.
- To explore options for, and the feasibility of, a sponsorship arrangement between Arnold Bloch Leibler and a First Nations law student association.
- To continue developing options to distribute the AISN newsletter externally to clients, advisers and friends of the firm to circulate with their teams.
- To install permanent plaques with First Nations place names for the Melbourne and Sydney office reception areas.
- To continue to develop and expand cultural awareness training, including by implementing First Nations cultural awareness training for all Partners of Arnold Bloch Leibler.
- To explore ways to increase engagement in AISN events and initiatives, particularly by law graduates, first year lawyers and Sydney colleagues.
Progress measure
| Priority | Progress achieved |
|---|---|
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To remain focused on and committed to respectfully listening and responding to First Nations perspectives on the referendum result, and to use all our energies and resources as a law firm committed to Indigenous empowerment to help bring about the necessary statutory, policy and common law changes that First Nations people would like to see as their preferred alternatives to the Voice. |
After respecting the reflection and mourning period called for by Indigenous elders post 14 October 2023, the AISN has been listening to First Nations perspectives on implementing Treaty and Truth at state and national levels and will focus its efforts in the next reporting period on supporting these perspectives. |
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To evaluate the impact of the First Nations Procurement List and Procurement Questionnaire on procurement by employees at Arnold Bloch Leibler and consider other ways to encourage an increase in the percentage of spending by the firm on First Nations businesses, including continuing to explore opportunities for large-scale procurement. |
The AISN Procurement Sub-Committee evaluated the impact of these resources. At least two significant purchases were made with First Nations businesses which may not have otherwise been purchased from a First Nations business. The AISN Procurement Sub-Committee is continuing to consider ways to encourage increase in spending with First Nations businesses, including by periodically reviewing and updating the First Nations Procurement List. The AISN Procurement Sub-Committee did not make significant progress in relation to exploring opportunities for large scale procurement. |
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To create a working group that, with the key guidance of, and in collaboration with, the Human Resources team, reviews and develops recommendations to the Partners that are aimed at facilitating First Nations recruitment and retention, which may for example focus on:
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The AISN invited the Committee to participate in the working group, and has held 2 meetings with the 7 volunteers who expressed interest in participating. The working group, in collaboration with the Human Resources team, has agreed on its priorities for the forthcoming year, documented in the priorities section of this report. The working group will continue to meet to progress this initiative and expects to develop a proposal to put to the partnership over the coming year. |
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To explore options for, and the feasibility of, a sponsorship arrangement between Arnold Bloch Leibler and a First Nations law student association. |
The AISN has continued to progress exploration of a sponsorship or partnership with a First Nations law student association. This work remains ongoing. |
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To continue developing options to distribute the AISN newsletter externally to clients, advisers and friends of the firm to circulate with their teams. |
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To install permanent plaques with First Nations place names for the Melbourne and Sydney office reception areas. |
The AISN has received in-principle approval from the partnership to install permanent plaques with First Nations place names for the Melbourne and Sydney office reception areas. The design and placement is being finalised with the aim to install these place names by early 2025. |
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To continue to develop and expand cultural awareness training, including by implementing First Nations cultural awareness training for all Partners of Arnold Bloch Leibler. |
Arnold Bloch Leibler has continued to ensure our current Indigenous cultural awareness training program, run by Leon EGAN of Bundyi Giilang Indigenous Education Consulting, is provided to staff, including as part of the firm’s Supervised Legal Training program for law graduates. We have increased the number of sessions rolled out in 2024 so that more staff and partners have had access to the training. |
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To explore ways to increase engagement in AISN events and initiatives, particularly by law graduates, first year lawyers and Sydney colleagues. |
AISN internal and external events were well attended this year including, in particular, the NAIDOC Week morning tea which was open to all staff. Engagement with our Sydney colleagues did not increase this year, the AISN will continue to consider how it may address this. |
