The Public Interest and Native Title team at Arnold Bloch Leibler embodies the firm's deep commitment to community contribution and justice. Representing diverse public interest, charitable, and not-for-profit organisations pro-bono, the team is pivotal in advancing native title and land rights, defending rights, and fostering social change.
In this Q&A, partner and practice group head Peter Seidel and special counsel Bridgid Cowling share their insights. Peter reflects on ABL’s longstanding dedication to giving back, recalling his early involvement in the landmark 1993 Yorta Yorta case, and the firm's principled support for the Yorta Yorta people of north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales in their decade-long struggle for native title justice. Bridgid shares her journey to ABL, drawn by the firm's values and commitment to land justice.
Public interest work and advocating for social justice are fundamental aspects of ABL’s DNA. Could you explain where that philosophy developed?
Peter: This commitment is truly ingrained in the firm’s DNA. My experience with the Yorta Yorta peoples’ struggle for justice through the Court system for nearly a decade from 1993 highlighted the firm's culture of giving back and assisting the disempowered, a sentiment that continues. The firm's principled decision to represent the Yorta Yorta peoples in the face of significant at times nasty opposition reflects our enduring attitude of supporting the vulnerable and working in solidarity with our clients, an expectation for all ABL lawyers.
Bridgid, what attracted you to ABL and how did you feel these public interest values permeating through the firm?
Bridgid: It's interesting because my initial aspirations weren't even to be a lawyer in private practice, or really a lawyer at all! I studied law somewhat as an addition to science, originally planning a career in science. However, my passion for land rights and native title ignited while working at the Northern Land Council. Knowing ABL's significant work on the Yorta Yorta case and the firms’ commitment to land justice, I reached out when relocating to Melbourne. ABL’s values resonated deeply with my own, and that commitment drew me to ABL. My decision is constantly affirmed by firm’s consistent commitment to giving back, which is truly fundamental to the public interest work, and valued across the firm.
What advice would you then offer to those who are currently unsure about pursuing a legal career?
Bridgid: To really follow your passions. Think deeply about what truly resonates with you. While it's good to keep your options open, as you're often told at university, at some point you need to make a decision and start pursuing the path that feels right. Don't be afraid to take a less traditional route. I was told that not starting in private practice would limit my future options, but that wasn't the case. Staying true to what I was passionate about ultimately led me to a fulfilling career.
"It's about stepping up, contributing your skills to the best of your ability, and recognising that this includes giving back to the community."
How does ABL’s structure facilitate its commitment to public interest work?
Bridgid: It's a fundamental principle at ABL that all our clients, regardless of whether they are a large corporation or a local community organisation, deserve the very best legal advice we can offer. This belief in consistent excellence means we readily draw expertise from across all our teams to support our public interest clients.
For instance, Peter and I might be assisting a charity with a land purchase and seamlessly involve a senior property lawyer to provide specialist advice. The positive feedback we receive from our public interest clients and the pride it instils across the firm truly validates this approach.
Peter: This ethos is deeply connected to our understanding of what it means to be an ABL lawyer. It's about stepping up, contributing your skills to the best of your ability, and appreciating that this includes giving back to the community. We often hear from lawyers, both junior and senior, about the immense satisfaction they derive from their pro-bono work and how it often sparks a deeper engagement with the community.
We actively encourage lawyers to bring their community interests into the firm, providing the support and professional confidence to pursue their passion to improve civil society in ways and by means that resonate with each of them. This fosters organic relationships with clients and allows our lawyers to bring their full selves and passions into their work, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and impactful career.
Your practice has evolved from a specialisation in native title and land rights into a broader focus encompassing charities law. Could you describe this evolution and the support ABL has provided for you to step into these areas?
Bridgid: My move into charities law really grew organically from my native title work. Land councils involve a lot of governance with Indigenous corporations, and this naturally dovetailed with the charities tax work I began doing with our tax team. I loved it! It's fascinating law, and I enjoy working with the clients. ABL has been incredibly supportive of this evolution.
Peter: There's a powerful synergy between ABL's ethos of giving back and the values of many of the clients we represent. This creates a natural expectation that we will be involved in the community and support our clients' broader objectives. It's not about us suddenly deciding to become charity lawyers; it's about formalising and prioritising work that has always been a part of our commitment, and being part of something bigger than ourselves. Ultimately, we recognise that practicing law is a privilege, and we value lawyers who bring humility, meaning and purpose to all aspects of their work, allowing them to continue to make meaningful contributions to the community.
Quick fire questions
What's the most rewarding part of being a public interest and native title lawyer?
Peter: Working with young lawyers and teaching them and seeing them grow. It’s how I best learn too.
Bridgid: The clients, helping them achieve their goals.
What’s your proudest achievement or best result for a client?
Peter: I’d have to say our relationship with Yorta Yorta peoples. I’ve learnt so much from witnessing up close how the Yorta Yorta continue to stand so powerfully and confidently, knowing that they still care for their country, as their ancestors have done since time immemorial. I feel very lucky to have had this seminal experience in my life.
Bridgid: There are so many “pinch me” moments in what we do. One that stands out is work we did with a young family who had a child with a disability and needed better policies in place to assist them. We worked so hard in our advocacy, and have made real differences in terms of the way the education system works with that disability, and I feel proud about that all the time.
What's one piece of advice that you would give to your younger self?
Peter: Don't be so shy. The world is an incredible place, go out and explore it because you've got the ability to part of the team that makes a difference to peoples’ lives.
Bridgid: Every decision you make is not the last one. Don't be afraid, just have a crack.
