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| Vol 5 Issue 3 | |
| April 2009 |
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At the Forum this week, we will also be discussing proposals to engage thinking by pro bono coordinators and leaders in pro bono policy and general developments. We will be looking to provide a platform to capture your contributions through focus groups and online debates. This partnership will lead to a stronger voice to highlight the important issues which we are all facing. Please give serious thought to participating in this programme, and feel free to contact me direct if you are unable to come to the April Forum. The clocks have now gone forward and spring is formally here. I wish everyone in pro bono a lot more sunshine in the coming months – you all deserve it! One person who particularly deserves it on April 4th is Martin Curtis, who will be getting married then. Many, many congratulations to Martin and Caroline from us all. We wish them much happiness together always. Rebecca Hilsenrath
The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland QC, presented the awards alongside Farah Adams from the Law Society of Scotland, and the LexisNexis Managing Director, Josh Bottomley. Baroness Scotland said, “I am both proud and delighted to be part of this celebration which acknowledges the fine achievements of lawyers who are embarking on their legal careers. “I believe the desire to undertake pro bono work is inherent in every good lawyer; it is part of their DNA. I applaud the ingenuity, passion and commitment of all the winners, and all of the other nominees who have worked tirelessly to keep pro bono work at the very heart of our profession.” We were extremely grateful to LexisNexis for sponsoring the event and also providing a prize for the winner of the individual award – comprising two weeks in Washington DC with the LexisNexis CSR team. After more nominations than ever before, the judges had had a tough job to determine the winners, but in the end they were announced as follows: Best Contribution by a Law School – University of Strathclyde (Runner Up – The College of Law) Best Team of Students – University of Nottingham Pro Bono Society (Runner up – Northumbria University) Best New Pro Bono Activity – The College of Law, Birmingham (Runner up – Northumbria University) You can find out more about all the short listed nominations on our website. The University of Strathclyde were thrilled with their award in the Best Law School category and were also short listed in two other categories. Their contribution to this year’s awards marks a watershed for student pro bono activity in Scotland as this was the first year they were able to enter. The occasion was marked with the attendance of representatives from the Law Society of Scotland. In addition, their Vice-Chancellor and law lord, Lord Hope of Craighead expressed his support for the activity and thanks on behalf of all the nominees. Other notable achievements included Queen Mary, University of London, which was short listed in three categories. Meanwhile, Alex Simmonds’ Bars in Their Eyes Project (developed with Nottingham Law School) was also short-listed in the Best New Activity category. We would like to remind everyone involved in a LawWorks Member Clinic that free access to LexisPSL is available to you. This excellent and intuitive practical legal research tool has only just been launched and is not even available to commercial users yet! Contact Sarah Cox if you are interested. We will be issuing more information on this service later in the year.
I worked as an Account Manager with the Legal Services Commission London Region for 6 years and with the Citizens Advice Bureaux Service in London for 12 years, mainly as manager of Richmond Money Advice Unit. I took a career break when my son was at primary school and during this time set up a business teaching judo in schools and colleges. I sold the business on when I returned to work full-time, but still do some voluntary work with young people at my judo club. I studied for a BSc (economics) at the London School of Economics and stayed on in London when I graduated. I am delighted to have been offered the chance to work with LawWorks as I believe that solicitors’ pro bono work provides a vital service for people who would otherwise slip through the state welfare net and who would otherwise suffer real and sustained hardship.”
Tickets are available at £120 each and are selling fast. To find out more and make a booking contact Anne Monk on 0207 7090 7350 or by email A big thank you to all those who sent in nominations for the Law Works Pro Bono Awards. These are being considered by the judges and those shortlisted will be notified at the beginning of May.
Each session is free for LawWorks members and those volunteering at a LawWorks Member Clinic. Sessions last an hour and are CPD accredited by the SRA. To review our complete training programme along with further details on how to register for a course please visit our website by clicking here. If you would like to know more about our training programme contact kristina.velcikova@lawworks.org.uk. We would also like to hear from you if you are willing to host a LawWorks training session or deliver a talk in your specialist area of law. We look forward to hearing from you!
Slaughter and May kindly invited Lavinia Shaw-Brown of LawWorks Mediation to talk to their clinic volunteers about mediation in general and LawWorks Mediation in particular. Many clients seen at LawWorks’ Clinics have disputes which would be suitable for mediation. Furthermore, mediation is free if the client qualifies for LawWorks’ pro bono service. Many disputes such as employment, landlord and tenant, debt, consumer land and commercial disputes could be resolved by mediation. Our success rates are high and court time and costs can be avoided. If any other firms who send volunteers to one or more LawWorks’ Clinics would like Lavinia to come and talk to them please contact her on 0207 090 7354 or lsb@lawworks.org.uk. Lunchtimes or early evenings can be arranged if this is more convenient.
All the walks raise valuable funds for the regional support trusts, which allocate funding to legal advice projects in their area. To sign up for the London walk, e-mail Bob Nightingale. To join the LawWorks team just e-mail our trusty blister-beating team captain, Richard Harrison The full Legal Walk calendar is as follows:
If you would like to get involved in any of the non-London walks, please contact Martin Curtis.
Release partners for pro bono bench placements, says LCJ New recruits who defer start dates urged to work pro bono Pro bono work plea to firms Student Pro Bono Awards - Shortlist Links litigation partner to lead global pro bono drive
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If you are a member firm coordinator you should by now have received our draft pro bono survey, which we discussed informally at the last Forum meeting. We are not asking you to complete the questionnaire at this point, but we are making a special plea to respond to our consultation and let us know if we are asking the right questions. Our main objective at this point is to work as closely and effectively as possible with you to ensure that LawWorks delivers the best service for its members – and thus better helps you to help those who are most in need.
Kathie Clark has recently joined us as Head of Business Development. Kathie writes "I joined LawWorks in March 2009 having worked in a similar role for a cycling charity (CTC). As Head of Business Development my main tasks will be implementing the funding, marketing and communication strategies; developing LawWorks membership and increasing the regional presence of LawWorks. I will also be leading a team responsible for finance, administration, membership services, information technology and the LawWorks North team.
