Nicolas is the firm's first full-time pro bono partner. Nicolas is a professional pro bono lawyer with more than 10 years experience acting for pro bono clients. In the 2010 financial year the firm will undertake pro bono work with a notional value in excess of $7million.
Nicolas practises mainly in the area of human rights law. His expertise includes the preparation of United Nations shadow reports on Australia's compliance with major human rights treaties, individual communications to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. Nicolas regularly acts for clients in matters before the Australian Human Rights Commission and Federal Court. Nicolas has also assisted foreign governments in relation to the implementation of major human rights treaties.
Nicolas is a trusted advisor to the charitable sector and advises many of Australia's leading charities.
Nicolas' other current roles include:
- Executive Member, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights.
- Chairman, Redfern Legal Centre.
- Founding Chairman, Pro Bono Animal Law Service.
- Board Member, Legal Information Access Centre, State Library of New South Wales.
- Advisory Board Member, Human Rights Law Resource Centre.