Growth, inclusion and accessibility
One of the AISN’s stated goals is to continue to make membership of the AISN available to all members of the firm.
There are currently 43 members of the AISN, which represents 14% of the firm. In 2022, 16 new members joined the AISN, including Law Graduates, Partners, Human Resources and Marketing staff, which represented a 37% increase in AISN members.
The AISN also seeks to engage with seasonal clerks during their clerkship program by:
- scheduling events during their program (for example, book clubs or excursions); and
- continuing to inform seasonal clerks of the AISN’s purpose and activities, and ways in which they can become involved as Law Graduates.
In line with our broader commitment, the AISN has been reflecting on ways to ensure that the AISN is in fact accessible to all staff members, including both legal and non-legal staff across all levels. In 2023, the AISN will work more closely with the Human Resources team to develop a process for connecting more effectively with new starters, both through the graduate program and lateral hires.
“I joined the AISN to educate myself about the challenging and complex issues facing Indigenous peoples in Australia today. I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of these problems and be actively involved in addressing them within Arnold Bloch Leibler and the wider legal community. It is wonderful be involved with a group of people passionate and genuine about making change for the better.”
AISN newsletter
The AISN circulates quarterly newsletters to provide information to Arnold Bloch Leibler staff on recent legal and policy developments, to advertise upcoming events and to increase awareness and firm-wide engagement with Indigenous social issues.
Each newsletter generally includes the following sections:
- news and law updates
- a spotlight on a current Arnold Bloch Leibler client
- upcoming events
- a collection of podcasts, music, movies and other entertainment by Indigenous artists or focused on Indigenous issues/culture, and
- events / reading materials focused on children.
Beyond the AISN Co-Chairs, the broader AISN also contributed to the AISN newsletter. The Marketing and Business Development team also provided invaluable assistance with producing the newsletter, particularly Claire Tedeschi and Stacey Parker.
In 2023, we would like to distribute the newsletter externally, by providing the newsletter to clients and other friends of the firm to circulate internally.
We also hope to ensure that all editions of the newsletter are easily accessible from the AISN Intranet homepage.
Other internal communications
AISN members and other staff often circulate emails to provide updates on current legal/policy developments or opportunities to attend external events. This informal process further strengthens the AISN’s efforts to increase firmwide understanding of and engagement with current affairs and issues relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as giving non-members the opportunity to contribute to the AISN’s work.
The topics of these emails included:
- invitations to attend various events, including an “In Conversation” event with Wesley Enoch AM and the Ilbijerri Theatre Company production of “Heart Is a Wasteland”
- client updates, including new matters in which Arnold Bloch Leibler intends to act
- various articles and submissions written or contributed to by Arnold Bloch Leibler lawyers, and
- tributes to honour the passing of Indigenous elders or community leaders.
During the period November 2021 – December 2022, a total of 33 emails were circulated. Of those 33 emails, 22 were to AISN members only and 11 were firm-wide or to a broader group of recipients (e.g. specific practice groups).
Intranet
The AISN Intranet Working Group has been tasked with updating and maintaining the ‘Indigenous Solidarity’ section of Arnold Bloch Leibler’s internal intranet. The Intranet Working Group has begun updating some sections of the Intranet, including replacing the previous Statement of Commitment (from 2007) with details of the 2021-2022 Statement of Commitment, and updating the News tabs with the latest material from the Newsletter. In 2023, the Intranet Working Group will continue the process of updating the Intranet, including publishing the Annual Report, materials about First Nations solidarity in general, and links to further information.
“My reasons for joining include that the firm has a long and established practice working on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and I wanted to be part of that. I also wanted to ensure my working life at this early career stage was diversified between a few different areas of interest. I enjoy that the AISN runs working groups on a number of different goals simultaneously, organises social events, and invites its members to external Indigenous-related events, which makes it easier to educate myself on Indigenous issues and culture.”