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| Vol 5 Issue 8 | |
| October 2009 |
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Autumn is always a busy month in the pro bono world and 2009 looks like being no exception. Summer seems a long time ago, due to a hectic schedule in September which included, among other things, regional sponsored walks (thanks to all who took part), the launch of the ASAP project and a well attended Forum meeting with particular interest shown in outside presentations from Toby Brown of the Access to Justice Foundation and Mandy Wilkins of the Law Centres Federation. The highlight of September for LawWorks was finding ourselves the first recipients of an award by Paul Hastings for Pro Bono Organisation of the Year. We are enormously proud of our trophy and needed another sponsored walk to recover from the celebratory lunch. Looking ahead to next month, November, of course, will bring us National Pro Bono Week and the Conference. There is a real head of steam building up for the Conference, which is reflected by a higher number of registrations than at this stage last time. In particular, there are only a limited number of seats on the Pro Bono Train (first class, naturally) from London to Manchester, so please sign up and be part of it. In National Pro Bono Week ALLIES (“a local lawyer in every school”) will be launching in Norwich on 12 November and, to link with this, LawWorks will be introducing a new feature in this newsletter, recognizing the contribution of particular governors. I know many of you have unsung heroes in your firms. Read more below. Lastly, on the staff front, we welcome Megan Pearson, who has just started as LawWorks training officer. And Graham, who is almost synonymous with LawWorks, is now working for us on a consultancy basis, which will allow him more flexibility around that house in France – whilst ensuring that he’s not allowed to stray too far away from us. Enjoy the Indian summer – I hope the sun is still shining on you by the time you read this. Rebecca Hilsenrath
9 November - Friends House, Euston, London 5 CPD accredited hours. 12 workshops, including:
Speakers to include Jon Snow and Lord Phillips of Sudbury. For more information, including how to register please visit www.probonouk.net
LawWorks relationship with ASAP began in June 2008 when they expressed an interest in joining our clinics network. We then proposed that we assist them further by helping to recruit some volunteer solicitors from our member firms to undertake representations at the First-Tier (Asylum Support) Tribunal in East Croydon…16 months on, 12 volunteers from four firms – Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett – have completed observations, shadowing sessions, two days of training and an assessment day and are now on a rota, each covering one day at the Tribunal every 4-8 weeks. The project has required a lot of work from all the parties involved, but I think we all would agree it has been well worth it! LawWorks would particularly like to commend the high level of commitment shown by the individual volunteers and the four law firms involved. The level of dedication and enthusiasm among the volunteers has been truly impressive and we would like to thank the firms for providing their support and resources throughout the process. We would also like to thank Freshfields for hosting the launch party on Monday, which was fantastically well attended and boasted disco lights into the bargain. If you would like to find out more about ASAP’s work and the launch please click here to download the official press release.
Lorna Heselton - Lorna is working on the Choices and ALLIES projects, and is also studying for an LLM in Human Rights Law. She has previously worked in a LawWorks Clinic. Megan Pearson - Megan joined in September as the new Training Officer. Megan finished the BVC in June, having previously completed a law degree and an LLM.
Five lucky members of LawWorks joined representatives from Paul Hastings, including Swafia Ames, Manager of Global Diversity and Pro Bono Paul Hastings Washington, for a splendid lunch at Fifteen London. We learned that LawWorks had beaten stiff competition from an organisation in California, amongst others, to capture this prestigious award, with the personal support of Swafia. As you see, we were given a very attractive award and a cheque, as well as a delicious lunch and champagne! What a treat! We are very grateful to Paul Hastings and honoured to be the first organisation to receive this award.
We are looking for nominations for School Governor of the Month from member firms and in-house teams in relation to any member of staff (legal or non-legal) who sits on a governing body. We will then feature those nominated in the order the nominations are received (subject to interest shown, our thinking is to allow for only one nomination from any member or member firm in any twelve month period). Individual members may wish to nominate themselves. Every nomination must include answers from the nominated Governor of the Month to the following questions:
Answers should be kept reasonably brief. We will also need a photo of the governor and the logo of the firm/in-house legal team making the nomination. Nominations should be sent to alison.ingram@lawworks.org.uk and must be received by the 20th of the month preceding the month of publication. Further information about the ALLIES project can be found at www.sgoss.org.uk/allies/
If you know of anyone who you think might be interested in getting involved and would like to know more, please contact: Bob Ashcroft, Pro Bono Coordinator, Kaplan Law School, Palace House, 3 Cathedral Street, London SE1 9DE; T: 0207 367 6436; E: b.ashcroft@kaplanlawschool.org.uk . Click here to view the Kaplan Legal Advice Centre leaflet.
The subject was particularly topical, as it dealt with personal debts, focussing on situations where abusive partners run up debts in women’s names so that they are liable. The talk was given by an experienced lawyer, Jamie Cartwright, of Charles Russell. As with all speakers at Practical Advice Talks, Jamie had volunteered to provide the two hour long introduction to debt issues. Jamie’s informal talk was followed up by a discussion between the attendees to clarify and help understand what legal measures a woman could take against her partner and the steps she can take to manage the debt. This included information about formal arrangements with creditors, bankruptcy, and the implications these have for her. The seminar was very interactive and one of our attendees commented as follows: “it was an excellent opportunity to hear practical advice on actual scenarios”. LawWorks for Community Groups together and Jewish Women’s Aid, are grateful to Jamie and Charles Russell for their assistance and the great help provided. We are often contacted to help organise an introductory level or specialist talk on Debt Law, which usually lasts around two hours. If you have sufficient knowledge in this area and would like to deliver this type of talk for not-for-profit organisations please don’t hesitate to contact Megan Pearson for further details. LawWorks for Community Groups – Practical Advice Talk for Local Solutions Kerstie Skeaping, who is a Partner at Halliwells and Luke Green, also from Halliwells, kindly volunteered to deliver the presentation on TUPE to around 15 attendees at Local Solutions. Their highly informative and interesting talk was very well received and was greatly appreciated by both LawWorks and Local Solutions. If you are a lawyer experienced in the area of employment, charity, intellectual property or data protection law and would like to assist us with future Practical Advice Talks, please don’t hesitate to contact Megan Pearson for further details. LawWorks for Community Groups – Practical Advice Talk in Stockport LawWorks for Community Groups and Stockport CVS would like to continue in developing more free Practical Advice Talks in the region so if you would like to provide a legal seminar for community groups in Stockport, please don’t hesitate to contact Megan Pearson at Megan.Pearson@lawworks.org.uk for further details.
Starting at the impressive and glorious technicolour Civil Justice Centre, we passed through the beautifully restored Royal Exchange, containing the impressive theatre within its walls; we took in peaceful canal towpaths, the vibrant gay village and the site of old Granada Studios Tour, which used to include a replica of New York’s Times Square! We also had our photo taken along with the poignant statue of Alan Turing, the father of modern computing. At the halfway point we took in a pint at the Circus Tavern, which has the shortest bar in Europe, and managed to secure some sponsorship from the landlord! We were greeted at the end by Jan Hart, our LawWorks North Manager, who had helped to organise the event along with the Personal Support Unit. Over 400 people walked in all and the event looks to be raising around £25,000 for the North West Legal Support Trust. The LawWorks team raised £230 – thanks to all those who sponsored. The First Hastings Legal Walk 2009 Around 50 walkers enjoyed a challenging route on a wonderful evening. 10km through the town and over (the very steep) chalk cliffs of the area gave participants views of stunning scenery. Everyone involved thought it a great success and look forward to Hastings 2010.
What are the main areas of law practised at this firm? When did Vodafone start carrying out pro bono work? How are staff encouraged to become involved in pro bono work? What type of pro bono work does Vodafone carry out? Is there a recent case that illustrates Vodafgone’s success with pro bono work? When asked for feedback the group said: “LawWorks obtained the services of Neil Brown at Vodafone to look at our media law needs. Neil and his colleagues provided exactly the sort of advice and support you would expect from professionals of their standard. Whilst this pro bono support is most valuable to a small volunteer led operation like Human Rights TV that has no funding or budgets beyond meeting the most basic operational costs, it actually does not reveal the full benefit Neil provided to us. When you have a small team of people working incredibly hard to try and provide what they believe to be a much needed service all support helps not just the operation but morale. In the relationship with Neil Brown we had not only a first rate legal support but an individual whose comments and enthusiasm for our project really gave us inspiration. In addition, Neil exhibited a patience and understanding of the problems we have to face in dealing with simple administration issues that was and is deeply appreciated. Neil and his team didn't just provide essential pro-bono advice but made us all feel the value of the work we do, something we can sometimes lose ourselves when so immersed in such a demanding project."
For the team who managed to lift themselves to fifth place, the secret weapon took the form of one man trivia machine and recent LawWorks Howrey Intern, Bob Grindrod, although the team was also helped by new recruit Tim Atwood’s remarkable knowledge of gravy wrestling. Thanks to Becks, Natalia and Rachael from the Bar Pro Bono Unit for joining in. All this means we have another opportunity to set a quiz of our own and reward the winners with a vintage, Solicitors Pro Bono Group endorsed, vinyl satchel. This versatile and stylish one-piece luggage set is not available in the shops and will undoubtedly set you apart from your peers. This month’s question… Name the band pictured below and the year in which their debut studio album was released in the UK.
All answers to martin.curtis@lawworks.org.uk by Friday, 16 October 2009.
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Registration is now open for…
Monday 28 September saw the long awaited launch of the Asylum Support Appeals Project’s daily Duty Scheme.
LawWorks was delighted to be presented with the award for Pro Bono Organisation of the Year by member firm Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker LLP. 
Kaplan Legal Advice Centre (operated by Kaplan Law School) runs every Thursday evening in London Bridge from 6pm to 8pm. Currently we see 4 clients per week and give them advice on virtually all areas of law excluding immigration, asylum and conveyancing. No advice is provided on the evening itself; our student volunteers conduct research based on the information provided by the client during the interview. Initially we send the client a letter to clarify what was discussed at the interview and highlighting any further documents that are required. Once these documents are received we then aim to send the client a letter of advice within 14 days. We may also offer to conduct further work for the client depending on the nature of the case and the availability of supervisors.
