We recently sat down with Leanne Ho, Pro Bono Partner at Wotton Kearney, for a conversation about her career, her practice, and the team behind it.

Leanne has spent more than two decades championing human rights and social justice – from advising the United Nations and shaping Government policy, to leading landmark law reform efforts and building some of Australia’s most impactful pro bono programs.

In this Q&A, Leanne shares what drives her work, shines a light on her team, and covers emerging trends and a matter that shaped meaningful change for those who need it most.

Could you share a little about your career journey and what led you to pro bono?

I’ve always had a strong desire for justice, but my path here was anything but planned. I actually fell into law by accident – I followed my boyfriend at the time to university with no real sense of what I was getting into, and nearly quit in third year until I found a volunteer role at a community legal centre. For the first time, I could see how legal knowledge was genuinely powerful – and how it could help people who really needed it.

From there, my career took me through social security casework, seven years with UN missions in Kosovo and Liberia doing human rights work on the ground, and eventually back home to the pro bono space. Pro bono felt like a natural landing place – I’d been lucky enough to work across both law firms and community organisations, so I understood what each side brought to the table and how to bring them together effectively.

What does having the right team behind you mean for the clients you support?

It makes an enormous difference. We’re unique at Wotton Kearney in having a dedicated human rights and law reform practice, handpicked for expertise in policy, advocacy, and the community sector. Combined with the strategic, big-thinking approach of our broader team, our clients can advocate for change with real confidence.

What makes the team special is that their commitment doesn’t stop at their desk – they’re genuinely passionate about social issues and get involved in events, thought leadership and volunteering outside of work. That dedication translates directly into the quality of support our clients receive.

Can you walk us through a recent matter you’re proud of?

One that comes to mind is our pro bono work supporting law reform around how domestic and family violence is recognised in the social security system – a multi-year journey I’m incredibly proud of.

Since 2022, our team has supported efforts to improve how domestic and family violence is considered in Centrelink decision-making. Through pro bono secondments, research, media advocacy, and collaboration with community legal partners, we’ve helped bring about changes that better recognise coercive control and financial abuse, strengthen guidance for decision-makers, and give survivors greater safety and financial security.

In 2025, the government made the relevant amendments to the Social Security Act 1991, in a reform advocates described as life-saving. It’s a powerful reminder of what sustained pro bono work can help to achieve, and why it matters.

What trends or emerging risks are you watching closely right now?

I’m keeping a close eye on the impact of disinformation and deepfakes on democracy – how we can shape the legal and human rights protections needed to safeguard not just elections and institutions, but the safe spaces for communities to voice their needs, concerns and ideas. It’s also about stopping the silencing of those subject to technology-facilitated abuse. Watch this space.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

I only learned to swim in my 30s – but you’ll find me every morning before work swimming with the big blue fish in Clovelly. Perhaps even more surprising, I played a Mozart piano concerto at the Opera House when I was 19, which also happened to be my last performance. I figured that was a good note to end on..

Connect with the team

If you would like to find out more about how Wotton Kearney’s Pro Bono practice can support you, please reach out to Leanne Ho. Please also see some of our most recent Pro Bono matters here.

Alternatively, read our other Partner Mini Q&As with Amanda Beattie and Patrick Thompson.