Arts Law nominated for the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW 2012 “Pro Bono Partnership Award”

The Arts Law Centre of Australia (Arts Law) and Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) were honoured in November in the “NSW 2012 Justice Awards” as nominees in the Pro Bono Partnership Award category. The ceremony was held at Sydney’s Parliament House, the event organised by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW celebrated the various contributions in improving access to justice in NSW.

Arts Law and the Australian Government Solicitor have developed a wonderful pro bono relationship over the last few years. The Justice Awards nomination highlighted their most recent collaboration, a one year secondment to Arts Law (2012-13) of AGS senior executive lawyer, John Berg. The AGS also offered to make available their expert counsel, Mieke Dixon, to present a session to artists about the Personal Property Securities Act.

Executive Director Robyn Ayres said “It is great for our work to receive this recognition and Arts Law is grateful for the pro bono support of the Australian Government Solicitor.”

Having John Berg in the office helps Arts Law deliver on its vision and further extend much needed legal services to Australia’s artists. John is a solicitor with a lifetime of commercial experience including nearly 20 years professional practice in Europe. On John’s return to Sydney he worked 15 years for the AGS until his retirement 3 years ago. AGS regularly seconds pro bono lawyers to Arts Law in addition to generously providing advice and assistance.  Earlier this year, when John expressed an interest in working at Arts Law, AGS facilitated the secondment.  John states “the people at Arts Law are all friendly, committed, energetic and considering their extremely small number, manage to provide an incredible advice, information and advocacy service to the Australian arts community”.