ABL is ‘making hope real’ for Australians with blood cancer
ABL is ‘making hope real’ for Australians with blood cancer
Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) is one of Australia’s pre-eminent law firms, renowned for advising clients on high-stakes transactions, disputes and commercial issues, as well for its unparalleled pro-bono and public interest practice. In the Snowdome Foundation’s formative years, ABL and in particular two very generous lawyers were instrumental in establishing the foundation, and providing pro bono governance and legal services. As a foundation supporter and ongoing pro bono partner of the Snowdome Foundation since 2010, ABL has been key to Snowdome’s success in delivering their mission: to accelerate next-generation treatments for Australian lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma patients to help them live, longer better lives.
ABL Partner Joey Borensztajn and Senior Associate Emily Simmons are two individuals, whose ongoing contribution to the Snowdome Foundation over the last seven years have provided Snowdome to be recognised as a credible not-for-profit organisation. Joey is recognised for his expertise in the category of Charities. His philanthropic nature and outstanding rapport with his clients are admirable. Emily provides strategic commercial advice on structuring, business acquisitions and sales, partnerships, joint ventures as well as philanthropy and charitable giving. This includes the establishment and endorsement of private ancillary funds and other special purpose philanthropic entities. Industry standard for legal pro bono support is 35 hours per lawyer annually. Snowdome has been very privileged, that ABL outperforms this guideline, with pro bono contributions exceeding $140,000 over the past seven years. This was recently recognised when ABL won the Lawyers Weekly 2017 Pro Bono program of the year.
Joey and Emily’s involvement in establishing Snowdome’s governance documents (Constitution, Trust Deed, Company Limited by Guarantee, Deductible Gift Recipient registration, Tax deductible registration), has been critical to reassuring major donors that their significant, multi-year donations are well managed. Furthermore, Emily was pivotal in establishing a tripartite agreement between Victorian Cancer Agency (VCA), the University of Melbourne & the Snowdome Foundation. This enabled matched funds from VCA of almost $400,000, a significant investment to advance Australian blood cancer research.
“Arnold Bloch Leibler’s public interest law practice is recognised and valued by all of us at the firm, and by our clients, as a central element of who we are.”
“It has been a privilege to take the journey with Snowdome, from its inception all the way through to seeing the organisation realising key objectives around next generation treatments.” Emily Simmons, Senior Associate
The Snowdome Foundation is so appreciative of the huge contributions that Joey and Emily have made throughout Snowdome’s history. Since inception, Snowdome support has enabled:
* 254 Australian blood cancer patients to gain access to new treatments through 15 clinical trials;
* 220 patient samples to support biomarker studies and
* 160 Australian blood cancer patients to receive personalised treatment
* won inaugural National Telstra Business Awards – Charity Division in collaboration with Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision.
In addition, these results were achieved while maintaining less than 15% expenses to revenue to enable the vast majority of raised funds to be directed to Australian blood cancer research.
These results would not be possible without the tremendous support of Foundation Partners such as ABL. Snowdome extends our heartfelt thanks and gratitude.