Celebrating Diversity Changemakers: Interlaw Diversity Forum POSTPONED

Join us virtually on Monday, 24 October from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM (London) to mark National Pro Bono Week 2022 (USA).

In this discussion, we will focus on the importance of pro bono work in improving the lives of diverse and socially mobile talent. Join us to celebrate the inspiring efforts of those whose pro bono efforts are making lasting change to diverse individuals and communities.

Speakers:
Melissa Davis, Founder & CEO, MD Communications
Michael Herford, Founder of Legal Lifelines & Consultant Solicitor
Patti Kachidza, Senior Lawyer, Axiom; Deputy Chair, InterLaw Diversity Forum
James Newton, Associate, Pallas Partners
Daniel Winterfeldt MBE KC (Hon), General Counsel EMEA & Asia, Jefferies; Founder & Chair, Interlaw Diversity Forum

Registration can be found here

Online only

A Refugee Experience (Day 2) – Fragomen

Anna Simons, Head of Programmes at Breaking Barriers will discuss the invaluable work their charity does to integrate refugees through employment with Fragomen’s Russell Hodges. Julia Onslow-Cole, Partner at Fragomen is a trustee of Breaking Barriers and we’re delighted to showcase their brilliant work.

A Refugee Experience (Day 1) – Fragomen

Marina Brizar, UK Director of Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) will be in conversation with Gemma Hyslop of Fragomen to discuss TBB’s pioneering work on complimentary pathways to the UK for skilled displaced people.

This is a project with which Fragomen are proud to have partnered since its inception in the UK and we look forward to reflecting on the success to date and what more is to come.

Tech and Pro bono: Domestic and Global perspectives – LawWorks & A4ID

Technology plays an increasingly important role in pro bono work, and Covid-19 has been a catalyst as more services have pivoted to remote delivery. This session, hosted by LawWorks and A4ID, looks at how technology has progressed pro bono, and the role it is likely to play in the future, including how technology can address organisational issues of pro bono work.

This discussion spans both domestic and global pro bono. Globally there is a huge interest in how technology (lawtech) can facilitate access to legal advice and empower communities to use the law. There are equally concerns that lawtech could deepen the ‘digital divide’ and leave vulnerable groups further excluded from good legal advice or from the courts.

Our panel of experts will discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with technology for lawyers contributing with their time pro bono to ensure equal access to justice for all, in the UK and abroad.

Panel includes:

I. Stephanie Boyce, President of the Law Society
Claire McGourlay, University of Manchester
Jennifer Cheshire, LawWorks
Roger Smith, Consultant
Ele Enenche, High Court of Nigeria
Adam Wyner, University of Swansea
Margaret Hagan, Standford Law School

Pro Bono and Environmental Justice – LawWorks, A4ID and Environmental Law Foundation

The right of citizens to challenge environmental decisions through legal redress routes, and being able to access appropriate legal information, support and services on environmental law issues is fundamental to achieving any notion of environmental justice.

Evidence of the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation and climate change on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, including those living in poverty, highlights the link with social justice; the law, domestically and globally. The law can be a tool to effect and inform solutions but is rendered useless without effective access to environmental justice. This principle is enshrined in international obligations such as Aarhus Convention which applies to the UK, although there is no significant enforcement mechanism.

Coinciding with UN Climate Change Conference (CoP 26th, Glasgow) the 20th year of pro bono week is looking at the ‘big picture’ on the past and future challenges for pro bono. This session hosted by LawWorks, the Environmental Law Foundation and A4ID will discuss the contribution that pro bono can make, and its limitations, at community level to environmental justice, (e.g., flooding, planning, nuisance issues, environmental hazards) but within a global context that understands environmental law as deeply connected with development, human and social issues.

Panel includes:

Chair: Robert McCracken QC, FTB Chambers
Wessen Jazrawi, Hausfeld
Emma Montlake, Environmental Law Foundation
Matt Hunt, PGMBM
Richard Owen, Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law, Swansea
Joe Tan & Thomas Istasse, A4ID

A Celebration of International Pro Bono – A4ID

As part of Pro Bono Week, A4ID’s virtual event ‘A Celebration of International Pro Bono’ will showcase the ways in which pro bono can strengthen the rule of law around the world. 

Join our speakers as they deliver a fast-paced and visual PechaKucha© -style presentation about the successes and lessons learned from partnerships between pro bono legal and judicial experts and their counterparts in developing countries. This dynamic evening will also include breakout events and networking to allow participants to connect and share their own knowledge on best practices for delivering effective international pro bono assistance, as well as opportunities to ask the speakers any questions.

Speakers include:

Lloydette Bai-Marrow, Anti-Corruption Lead of UK Sierra Leone Pro Bono Network (UKSLPBN)
HHJ Rachel Karp, International Training Coordinator of Judicial College;
Olivia Clark, Senior Associate at DLA Piper;
Rosalind Morgan, Senior Associate at CMS;
Anne-Sophie Jullienne, Barrister at Afralaw Chambers;
Kersty McCourt, A4ID Consultant
Yasmin Batliwala, Chief Executive at A4ID;
Adrienne Joy, ROLE UK Programme Manager at A4ID.

Please register at the Eventbrite link below.