Pro bono leader and practitioner Jilly Field has joined Gilchrist Connell to advance its contribution to social justice.
Field has extensive experience in poverty law, family and domestic violence, animal law, and defence work for children in the criminal justice system. She has directed pro bono practices focusing on delivering front-line advice to individuals, seconded to front-line public interest and community law organisations, and is a member of the boards of Wear it Purple and Community Legal Centres NSW.
Moreover, she works closely with community legal and public interest stakeholders to drive collaborative solutions for individuals facing hardship.
In her new role, Field will lead the strategic direction of the Gilchrist Connell's pro bono practice to address access to justice issues for communities facing disadvantage and marginalisation. She also remains committed to sharing her commitment to ethics in pro bono, social theory, and social justice and systematic reform through pro bono development and leadership.
Belinda Cohen, chief people officer at Gilchrist Connell, expects Field to help the firm direct its resources towards impactful and sustainable programmes using her extensive expertise in driving efficiencies, reducing risk, and achieving outcomes for the community.
Gilchrist Connell managing principal Richard Wood said welcoming Field to the team is a no-brainer, given that the firm always tries to display its core values in ways that engage with the community and ‘give back’ as much as possible.
“It is natural that we should appoint a longstanding practitioner who has the experience and commitment to drive our pro bono program to address access to justice. Jilly is an exciting addition to the Gilchrist Connell team,” Wood added.
Field's entrance demonstrates Gilchrist Connell's commitment to the Australian Legal Sector Alliance and the Australian pro bono community and marks its increasing focus on addressing unmet legal need through a strategic pro bono practice.
Her appointment follows the firm's 13 promotions across its five offices to meet the needs of its clients by consolidating its expertise in key insurance lines and complementary areas of law, such as corporate & commercial and restructuring and insolvency.
