At Mallesons, we integrate best practice into everything we do to operate sustainably, ethically and inclusively. To achieve this, we work closely with our people, communities and clients to understand their expectations and ideas to create a fairer and more sustainable world. We focus on generating positive impact by creating long-term partnerships and programs which address the big social and environmental issues impacting our firm, and the issues our sector has the largest impact upon. We also take accountability for our actions, and minimise any harm we may cause to people and planet through our operations.

Our Responsible Business Blueprint has 5 pillars:

Community
People
Environment
Governance
Marketplace

Community

We work in partnership with community organisations to shape a fairer and more sustainable future.

We have a role in creating a world where all people thrive; where people have equal access to social and economic rights. By listening, learning, and partnering with community-focused organisations, we use our skills and resources to address the issues that matter.

We prioritise young people and our programs and partnerships align with and contribute to the realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Through long-term partnerships, we provide pro bono legal services, grants, skilled volunteering, and access programs to connect with communities and promote positive change.

We aim to:

Deepen relationships with organisations focused on justice, inclusivity and environment.
Use the law to influence change.
Amplify talent from under-represented groups.

People

We strive to create an environment where our people feel safe to be their authentic selves and inspire our people to understand, explore and appreciate the critical role wellbeing plays in a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Having a diverse workforce is only one part of the equation. Inclusion is critical. Inclusion and inclusive leadership empower our people to feel valued, respected, and safe and unlock the value of their diverse perspectives and skills.

Gender Pay Gap Employer Statement

The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) publishes the pay gap results of individual law firms annually. We welcome this as KWM is committed to transparency and sharing knowledge to drive positive change for women in our industry. For the 2023-2024 period, we are very proud to report that we are performing well in “like-for-like” roles. We have a 0-3% difference across legal career levels, some favouring men and others women, and a 0-8% difference in Shared Services, mostly in favour of women. Organisation-wide, we have a pay gap of 9.5% (average total remuneration) and 14.6% (median total remuneration) in favour of men. This is mainly due to a segment of our workforce being employed in traditional feminised clerical and administrative roles which attract lower market value pay than other roles in the firm. While this is an issue across the legal industry and not unique to KWM, we are doing what we can to remediate this gap.

Environment

Our climate is changing rapidly, and we must adapt with it to protect the ecosystems that sustain our lives and economies. The transition to a low-carbon future will take time, but we are committed to acting today and invite others to join us.

As a firm, we are uniquely positioned to lead, advise, and collaborate with our people, clients, and communities, driving a just transition to a sustainable future.

From a FY23 baseline, a Science-Based Target in place to reduce our absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 90% by FY40, with an interim target to reduce emissions by 42% by FY30. Achieving this target will require the collaboration of our people, suppliers and partner organisations.

Our work in climate and environment is structured around four key areas:

Net zero
Renewable energy
Environmental impacts
Education

Through this work we are aiming to achieve:

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions in line with to our Science-Based Target
Improved resource conservation
Increased climate capability & knowledge
Streamlined data governance & reporting processes.

Governance

At Mallesons, we value accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership. We view risk management as a strategic advantage rather than just a compliance necessity. Our approach centres on identifying opportunities within risks, enabling both our people and our clients to thrive in a dynamic environment.

We believe that a strong culture of ethics and integrity is essential for successful risk management. This foundation allows us to build trust with our people and clients and ensures that we act responsibly in all our dealings. By prioritising ethical practices, we create an environment where risks are managed proactively and transparently.

By effectively managing risks, we help our people and clients navigate uncertainties and seize opportunities that can lead to growth and innovation. Our commitment to robust internal risk management processes not only safeguards our firm but also enhances the value we provide to our clients.

Marketplace

How we operate and who we partner with reflects who we are, what we stand for, and where we aspire to be.

Our supply chains are complex, and the global nature of trade means we are at an increased risk of exposure to modern slavery.

We publish our annual Modern Slavery Statement, in accordance with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2018, outlining the steps we've taken to eliminate modern slavery. We also work with our clients so they can understand the potential risks of modern slavery within their own operations.

Strong partnerships are central to our commitment to creating shared value.

For our firm, shared value means creating new opportunities and positive impacts for more people.

By partnering with organisations that share our goals as outlined in our policies and procedures, we can work together to deliver and achieve sustainable outcomes.

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