Corporate social responsibility, human rights and law firms

An increase in the power and reach of corporations has driven increasing concern with corporate responsibility. The social impact of corporations, including law firms, includes any interactions with human rights. This article argues that Australian law firms should engage more actively with human rights standards, and ensure that they are not unwittingly complicit in human rights violations. It identifies key areas in which law firms' conduct may impact human rights, and suggests corporate responsibility practices and policies for adoption.