|
|
| Vol 5 Issue 4 | |
| May 2009 |
 |
After an initial discussion at last month’s Forum meeting at Linklaters, LawWorks is launching a thought leadership group with a pilot session which will be shortly underway. This is a really valuable and interesting initiative and we are grateful to have had so much support. Another first for LawWorks is the monthly Member Firm Profile initiative which we are launching today – read on below. Thank you to everyone for your comments on our draft survey – the finalised version will be circulated soon and we look forward very much to your responses. Rebecca Hilsenrath
LawWorks Awards and Ball The shortlist is as follows: Best Contribution by a Law Firm / Organisation
Best Contribution by a Partnership
Best Contribution by an Individual
Best Contribution by a Regional Law Firm / Organisation
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! The awards will be made at the LawWorks Awards Ball on 11th June at the Inner Temple Hall and Garden. Ensure your Sponsorship Hits the Bullseye This year’s ball has a medieval theme, complete with virtual archery and some good old fashioned dancing. We hope to see you there! With our pro bono awards ball on the horizon we wanted to make sure you all knew that there is the chance to sponsor the awards themselves as well as the overall event. As well as direct sponsorship there are also other ways you can help; for example by helping with the printing of our event programmes and menus. You can find out more information here on our website - www.lawworks.org.uk/?id=opportunities.
This month sees the launch of our focus on the pro bono work of our member firms and coordinators. The firm this month is Clarion Solicitors of Leeds and their coordinator Laura Mitchell. The page can be viewed by clicking here. If you would like your firm to be featured next month then please email us and let us know.
The event is organised by the London Legal Support Trust (Charity Registration No 1101906) to raise funds for local legal services, including LawWorks. The walk is led by the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls and heads of all three branches of the legal profession. Solicitors, barristers, law students, and members of the judiciary will all turn out on the evening, beginning at the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, before ending up at the Law Society on Chancery Lane for a drinks reception a couple of hours later. Last year’s walk saw 3,400 walkers who collectively raised over £360,000! Please spread the word and if you would like to enter a team please e-mail Bob Nightingale, the Trust’s Chief Executive at bobnightingaleuk@yahoo.co.uk. Even if you are not walking you can still sponsor the LawWorks team! Follow this link to our fundraising page www.justgiving.com/lawworkswalkers2009 or sponsor us on the LawWorks fundraising page on Facebook. We look forward to seeing your teams out there on the day and are very grateful to all of our sponsors.
In addition, we are pleased to inform you that a new session has been organised for you with the following details:
To review the training programme and obtain further information on how to register for a course, please visit our website by clicking here. If you have any further enquiries or comments regarding our training programme, or would like to host any future event organised by LawWorks, or deliver a talk in your specialist area of law, please contact Kristina Velcikova on kristina.velcikova@lawworks.org.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!
Richard Harrison and Sarah Cox gave a talk on how the LawWorks Clinics project operated. This is a consultancy service that links lawyers and member firms with advice agencies who need legal help and volunteer lawyers. 85 clinics have been set up to date with more in the pipeline including a small business clinic. The types of cases, training provided by LawWorks and supervision arrangements were discussed. There was much interest in the proposed LawWorks thought leadership forum and on-line discussion facility. This group will provide a platform to harness ideas on pro bono work issues in the context of legal professional developments, the financial situation and the wider community. The next Forum for LawWorks members will take place at Clifford Chance on 2nd June 2009. It will start with a networking breakfast at 9.00am, followed by the Forum at 9.30am. Papers will be sent nearer the date, but if you would like to attend, please contact Anne Monk: anne.monk@lawworks.org.uk
As well as providing access to justice, the pro bono representation provided a double win in the resulting Section 194 costs order. Albeit a modest sum it is hopefully the start of a series of orders, the funds from which will in turn help fund other free legal help. You can find out more about the foundation here - http://www.accesstojusticefoundation.org.uk/. The website is currently being developed and hopes in future to contain sample wording for a section 194 costs order so that they may be sought more easily by pro bono advocates.
The event is targeted at all those law schools that run Innocence Projects – helping prisoners who maintain their innocence in, among other things, mounting an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Representatives from supporters, LexisNexis, The Law Society and LawWorks were also present and heard the call for greater coordination amongst pro bono lawyers who would be willing to supervise and assist student innocence projects. In addition delegates heard from innocence project supporter, Philip Evans, of QEB Hollis Whiteman and his colleague in chambers, Mark Ellison QC, who delivered the afternoon’s keynote speech. INUK and LawWorks are very grateful to Freshfields for hosting the event. To find out more about the Innocence Project and to see how to get involved, click here - www.innocencenetwork.org.uk.
Ace Legal Executive And if you thought that with all that going on Nick wouldn’t have any time for hobbies, you’d be wrong. Owing to his wicked first serve and cross court winners, along with Becks Wilkie, Director of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, he walked away with first prize in last year’s Nintendo Wii Tennis Tournament at the LawWorks Awards Ball! This year’s competition will see guests battling it out at Wii Archery and only time will tell if Nick and Becks can retain their enviable title.
Manchester firms offer free business services There's never been a better time to get yourself a lawyer Student Pro Bono Award Winners Announced!
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
As some of you may know, Rebecca Sheldon, LawWorks North Manager, is pregnant with twins, and will be taking maternity leave from June 1st. We are very happy to have appointed Janet Hart to take over while Rebecca is away. Janet has a background working as project manager in a variety of industries, including the NHS and manufacturing, but has recently taken a law degree and is currently studying for a part time LPC. Janet will make an exciting contribution to LawWorks - though it is even more exciting that Rebecca will be producing two new Individual Members whom we are all looking forward to meeting!
LawWorks will be fielding a team at the 5th fundraising London Legal Walk. This will take place on Monday 18 May 2009 starting at 5.30pm. 
