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The firm's Social Justice Practice challenges the excesses of government and business, and champions the rights of those who are disadvantaged. We believe legal action that supports social justice and human rights contributes to a better society. That’s why we are Australia’s leading social justice and human rights law firm.
Our firm was founded on the belief that the law should serve everyone, not just those who can afford it. We believe in fighting back against unfair treatment and that the betterment of people and their livelihood is our greatest profit. We recognise that there are often people and even organisations who can’t afford the services of a lawyer. In appropriate cases we will provide our services without charge or on a reduced cost basis.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers – on your side since 1919.
We have led litigation in the public interest on behalf of refugees, workers who have been harassed or underpaid, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and women defending their reproductive rights. We also run litigation that seeks to improve the transparency and accountability of government to support our democracy.
As far back as 1945, the firm worked with the ACTU and won a claim for the 40-hour week. We have worked together with union clients for equal wages for women throughout the 1950s and 60s until the principle of equal pay for equal work became law in 1972.
We are here to help in these areas:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice
We believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights are worth fighting for, and we will help you seek justice.
Asylum seeker rights
We believe that the Government must be held accountable for the treatment of people who come to our country seeking safety, and we provide legal advice and assistance to refugees and people seeking asylum.
Challenges to corporate and government power
We believe legal action that supports social justice contributes to a better society, and we challenge the excesses of government and business, and fight for people who have suffered.
LGBTI equality
We acknowledge and support the LBGTI community and the battle for equality, and stand committed to ensure that LBGTI Australians are able to challenge discrimination and inequality.
Protecting communities and environments
We have been leading the way in cases of social responsibility for nearly 100 years and continue to fight to protect our communities.
Workers’ rights
We believe Australian's deserve to work in a society that is fair for all, with secure employment and fair working conditions and rights.
Women's rights
We believe women and men are equal, and our work continues to be critical in helping women access their rights and ensure everyone has fair and equitable access to justice regardless of gender.
We are here to make sure you are heard.
Find out where you stand and let us help you understand your human rights.
I'm a tradesman. I don't know very much about law. They helped me understand my rights, which were more than I realised.
Shannon's story
Car accident injury
Shannon's story - Car accident injury
Yeah, so it's quite a common misconception, I guess, that any person who's riding a motorcycle on the road, um, when they're involved in an incident, they're just automatically deemed at fault because they're a clown, they’re a hoon. It's like the furthest thing from the truth.
About three years ago now, coming home from TAFE, only two minutes around the corner from home, and next thing you know I've just heard a car engine and then, yeah, bang.
By the time I come to, I looked down at my ankles and my knee and I wasn't in a good state. Three weeks in hospital, six months to sort of get to walk again, wheelchair and all the jazz, so.
The effect it had on my family was quite severe. My mother more so. Mother son relationship, I guess.
The outlook on life after the accident was, it was pretty bleak, yeah. It was, you think to yourself that I've got this profession that I've chosen and I enjoy and it's taken from you from one simple act.
Early on in the piece, the insurer for the other party, basically pointed the finger at me and said you're 80 per cent at fault.
Sometimes insurance companies try to say that an accident wasn't the fault of the person that they insure and they do that to save money. And our job is to persuade the insurance company that the accident happened in the way that our clients said that it did happen.
Yeah, at the time I had a friend who knew Michelle and suggested that, ‘look these Maurice Blackburn guys, they're good at what they do go and have a chat to them’.
As a lawyer, it wasn't just my job to help him get damages, but it was to help him right along the way. It was my job to organize his rehab, to make sure that everybody who was dealing with him, understood what he needed and to help him on that path to see a good future for himself.
Throughout the proceedings, Maurice Blackburn, um, they did everything in their power, which was amazing, and the results showed in the settlement. I had that peace of mind from Maurice Blackburn that they were looking after me and doing what was best for me.
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