International legal firm Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed senior lawyer Bianca Janovic to the newly designed position of Pro Bono Counsel (Australia).

Janovic will help to drive the strategic direction of the firm’s Australian pro bono practice, in alignment with the firm’s global pro bono strategy, alongside Partner and Global Head of Pro Bono Brooke Massender. She will lead the Australian pro bono team in the design and supervision of pro bono projects which make best use of the firm’s expertise, resources and leadership to promote equal access to justice and opportunity.

Herbert Smith Freehills’ pro bono work in Australia prioritises vulnerable groups within society that may be potentially at risk of marginalisation or systemic disadvantage, including First Australians, young people, people with disabilities, LGBT+ community members, women and minority groups.

Partner and Chair of Herbert Smith Freehills’ Global Pro Bono and Citizenship Council Sue Gilchrist said “Brooke Massender and I are delighted that Bianca has accepted this position, and know she will strengthen our hugely impactful pro bono team.”

“Bianca is widely recognised within the firm, and by clients, for her unique pallet of intellect, drive, curiosity, energy and compassion. She is a role model to many, with a strong sense of justice and a commitment to inclusion which exemplifies our values,” Gilchrist said.

Janovic has been with the firm for 10 years, having started in 2011 in Melbourne and developed a thriving practice as a senior Disputes lawyer in Brisbane, where she is now based.

Over this time, as well as developing her practice, Janovic has taken a lead role in some on the firm’s most sensitive, complex and impactful pro bono and reconciliation initiatives.

Janovic is co-chair of the IRIS Network and the 2019 recipient of the Kathryn Everett Leadership Fellowship for Women. She is an alumna of the Jawun secondment program and played an instrumental role in the development of the Indigenous-led Empowered Communities project.

Janovic will commence in the Pro Bono Counsel (Australia) role on 12 April 2021.