Returning to rebellious roots: What rebellious lawyering can offer progressive law in Australia

Abstract

Over the last 50 years, the practice of progressive law in Australia has drifted from radical, change-focused origins to a more cautious and limited approach. The theory of rebellious lawyering offers an evolving and principled model that can assist a new generation of Australian lawyers seeking to build the power of grassroots movements for transformative social change. As progressive law in Australia emerges from decades of funding instability and contracting ambition, a return to our rebellious roots – through talking, writing, strategising and building connections between lawyers working with impacted communities – is exactly what is needed.