Dedication to a cause is as important to us as dedication to a client. We have many causes, both specific to partners and those that span the firm.  Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee – comprising a cross-section of partners and staff – ensures that our environmental footprint is sound, and our community is supported.

The committee regularly meets to investigate options for our involvement in Pro Bono Work, Community Assistance, Charity Sponsorship and Environmental issues. Initiatives include:

• Our Artist-in-Residence program permeates the fabric of the firm. We offer space to emerging artists, a project which culminates in an annual public art exhibition being held in the forecourt of Australia Square Tower and substantial funds being raised for charity.  The paintings of the Artists-in-Residence, Joel Dickens, Dmitry Kuznichenko and Kyra Henley, are now displayed within the firm.  In 2011, Melanie Waugh took up residence.  Staff are free to wander in and chat to the artists as they work on larger-than-life canvases.
• LEAPS (Law Firms Encouraging and Assisting Promising Students) program.  It is a workplace learning program involving Year 9 students at risk of leaving school early.  Students are matched with an employee from a law firm who provides mentoring support throughout the year.  The 17 Curwoods mentors involved in the program include Partners, Senior Associates, Solicitors, Human Resources Officers, Secretaries and IT Staff, who have each been assigned to a student from the high school.  The mentors and students meet once a fortnight during school term in our office and discuss topics such as organisation, school reports, respect, values, bullying and stereotypes.  In 2010, the students also attended the District Court of New South Wales where they met Judge Leonie Flannery SC and were able to observe the law in action.  The year of mentoring concludes with a graduation evening held at the high school.
• Natalie Fisher, our CSR Partner, travelled to Arusha, Tanzania in September 2009 to volunteer at the School of St. Jude's (founded by an Australian, Gemma Sisia), St. Judes is a sponsorship-supported English Medium School in Tanzania that primarily serves orphaned and vulnerable children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. As a result of Natalie's time at the school's 2 campuses in Moshono and Usa River, Curwoods has provided pro bono assistance to the school.
• Curwoods was a major sponsor of the Compton Cricket Club Tour 2010 and provided pro bono legal support.  The Club came to Australia as role models for underprivileged youths.  In Los Angeles California the Club was formed in one of the most violent and toughest suburbs, Compton, to try and turn the lives of children and young adults around by playing cricket – a novel concept in the USA.  John Snelgrove, partner, was the trustee of the Australian tour.
• We actively support the Matthew Talbot Hostel, one of the largest hostels for homeless men in the southern hemisphere.  We make regular financial donations and hold a morning tea each year to encourage our staff to donate goods for their annual clothes drive.  Last year over 5 boxes of winter clothes/blankets/hats and socks were provided to the hostel.  On a voluntary basis, Curwoods staff work in the kiosk at the hostel every fortnight enabling us to engage with the men who attend the hostel.
• Partner John Snelgrove is a director of The Matana Foundation for Young People, a philanthropic foundation associated with a client of the firm. It provides financial support through grants, focused on children and young adults in need.
• Every Christmas Curwoods staff participate in the Kmart Wishing Tree appeal.  Staff donate gifts and pre-loved toys for the appeal which Kmart collects and distributes to less fortunate families around Australia.
• We source 33% of our electricity from 100% accredited renewable sources and promote procurement of office equipment/ appliances with high efficiency ratings.  In addition, we participate in toner cartridge/paper recycling and waste reduction program. We use only Australian 60% recycled paper and continue to move towards a ‘think before you print’ mentality.