Arnold Bloch Leibler is proud to have represented former players of the Hawthorn Football Club and their partners in relation to claims of serious historic racism.
Our team, led by partners Leon Zwier and Peter Seidel, supported by lawyer Lauren Winn and Kate Frawley, together with counsel Kathleen Foley SC, Emrys Nekvapil SC, Julian Murphy, Stella Gold and Jim Hartley, acted pro bono given the fundamental social justice issues at the centre of this imbroglio. The racism allegations were first published in September 2022. For over two years, the ABL team has supported our clients in their determination to forge a safer pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participating in sport, and towards a racism free future beyond sport.
Commenting on the settlement, Leon Zwier said: “This dispute was all about the many nuances of racism not just in football but at large. There is no place for racism in our society and when we see it we must call it out. I have been educated by my clients and Teresa, one of the Mum’s, about inter-generational racism, unconscious racism, paternalistic racism and racism generally. I have also been privy to truth telling and the remarkable impact it had on resolving intractable differences.
Peter Seidel added: “I am delighted that ABL has stood shoulder to shoulder with our clients in their pursuit of justice. We have total admiration for the courage, determination and humility of our clients. It gives us enormous satisfaction to have supported them as they told the truths of their experiences and of the pain and suffering they endured in the hope for a better future for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participating in sport and for their loved ones”.
In a joint statement issued last night, the Hawthorn Football Club and our clients said that as a result of the allegations raised by the former players, partners and their families, Hawthorn has established a First Nations Advisory Committee, developed and implemented a First Nations strategic plan, expanded the role of its Indigenous Player Development Manager and will work to ensure a culturally safe environment at its future home and training facility at the Kennedy Community Centre. Details of the settlement are confidential.
For over 30 years, Arnold Bloch Leibler has worked for and alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals, most often pro-bono, to protect and advocate for their human rights and empowerment. We abhor racism, and so much of our public interest law practice focuses on assisting our clients to stand up to it and to improve civil society by doing so. Our public interest work, which is essential to Arnold Bloch Leibler’s culture and reputation, is a source of great pride for the firm and our clients.
