Spotlight on SYLA and ProBonoSkills.com – Pro Bono Week 2024

The SYLA, in collaboration with ProBonoSkills.com, is delighted to present its next event – ‘The Power of Pro Bono’. The topic for our event is aligned with the 2024 Pro Bono Week theme, ‘Barred from Justice’ which seeks to explore the powerful, everyday stories of the impact of lawyers and law students who give their time to protect the rights of others in society.

Our expert panel of speakers, comprised of both providers and users of pro bono services, will share personal reflections and insights; demonstrating the impact of the pro bono work with which they engage. We will also display various testimonials; shared with us by pro bono service users.
Our panellists include:-

Philip Pollecoff – Senior Legal Counsel at Marie Curie
Antonia Andison – Diploma Student
Robyn Canning – Solicitor at Thorntons
Peter Kerr – Finance & Risk Director at Social Bite

To register for this event visit The Power of Pro Bono with SYLA x ProBonoSkills.com Tickets, Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Pro bono, career development and making a difference — with Pinsent Masons

Join us on the afternoon of Wednesday 13 November for a Legal Cheek virtual student event in partnership with Pinsent Masons.

This event is for Students and Graduates.

The theme is pro bono. We’ll be hearing how global law firms use their expertise and resources to help those unable to pay for legal advice.

At Pinsent Masons, lawyers are encouraged to spend 25 hours a year on pro bono related matters. Speakers will discuss some of the recent pro bono matters they have worked on and explain how they balance such commitments with advising commercial clients.

The speakers

• Meghan Higgins, senior associate in the TMT Disputes team
• Gemma Erskine, associate in the TMT Disputes team
• Jessica Jirh, trainee solicitor
• Emme Thomas, trainee solicitor

We’ll also hear about the way in which students, trainees and junior lawyers can use pro bono to help develop their legal skills and give an extra dimension to their professional lives, while providing a valuable service to those in need.

After short talks and a panel discussion there will be virtual networking with the speakers, Pinsent Masons trainees and members of the firm’s graduate recruitment team.

Apply to attend here – Pro bono, career development and making a difference: Future Lawyers Hub

You’ll be asked to submit two questions for the firm.

UK Data Protection Guide Launch and Webinar: Trust Law

TrustLaw invites you to our UK Data Protection Guide Launch and Webinar

In celebration of UK Pro Bono Week, we are partnering with CMS to host a free webinar on UK Data Protection Laws and Regulations for non-governmental organisations, social enterprises, and charities.

The webinar aims to provide nonprofits with a high-level overview of UK data protection laws, including applicable principles and key issues they face. It will also cover how to use the updated guide to navigate data protection questions, followed by a Q&A session.

To book your free space please register here. Feel free to share this invitation within your organisation or network.

If you have any questions please email hana.farhat@thomsonreuters.com

Adopting a climate conscious approach to pro bono – qLegal (invitation only).

Panel discussion, followed by networking.

qLegal’s commercial law clinic provides legal advice, education and support to start-ups and entrepreneurs. We will be joined by lawyers from some of our partner law firms, who will discuss their insights into the sustainability initiatives law firms are adopting, and how awareness of the climate crisis is impacting the legal advice clients need.

Speakers will include lawyers from Baker McKenzie, Kilburn & Strode, Pinsent Masons (and more).

In person event  – Open to qLegal students only (invitation only).

 

Landmark Chambers and the International Lawyers Project’ hybrid seminar – Legal Remedies and Tools to Address Just Transition Challenges

We are delighted to invite you to Landmark Chambers and the International Lawyers Projects seminar – Legal Remedies and Tools to Address Just Transition Challenges on Wednesday 6 November 2024, 5.30pm – 7pm

This seminar will take place as a hybrid event. Please note, in person attendees will be invited to arrive at 5pm for light refreshments and be seated ahead of the live broadcast.

In person attendance is highly recommended so that delegates can meet the speakers and enjoy complimentary refreshments.

Please note, places for in-person attendance are limited. To request an in-person place, please email contact@internationallawyersproject.org.

For those who are outside of London, or cannot attend in person, then feel free to join us virtually.

The International Lawyers Project (ILP) is an alliance of talented and passionate lawyers drawn from diverse countries and cultures across the globe. We advance economic and environmental justice and the rule of law through the provision of pro bono legal expertise to civil society, communities, and governments. We have assisted NGOs, civil society groups, grassroots and indigenous communities advocate for protection and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources through legal advice for regulatory reforms, strategic litigation advice and provision of capacity building for indigenous communities to empower them to fight for their human and environmental rights.

ILP, in partnership with Landmark Chambers, will bring together experts and advocates from the UK to discuss how different legal remedies and tools around the world can be used to address just transition challenges, which include holding governments and corporations accountable for environmental harms and advocating for policies that not only mitigate climate risks but also promote social justice. Indeed, the shift towards a green economy should be inclusive and equitable, ensuring that economic, social, and environmental considerations are balanced and that the voices of the most vulnerable are heard and heeded.

The opening remarks will be provided by Lucy Claridge (International Lawyers Project).

Other Speakers include:

Maria Cristina Mundin – International Lawyers Project

Robert Allen – Simmons and Simmons

Jackson Shaa – Narasha Community Development Group

Satya Jeremie – Landmark Chambers

Natasha Jackson Landmark Chambers

Alex Shattock – Landmark Chambers

To register to attend online via Zoom, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5017277793058/WN_0FyMlAnyRqiXp7CW5KqOlw 

Justice for All: The Transformative Power of Pro Bono Work Panel Discussion – Edinburgh Law School

Justice for All: The Transformative Power of Pro Bono Work

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming panel discussion on pro bono work, taking place on 7th November from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the University of Edinburgh Old College, MacLaren Stuart Room. This event will explore the profound impact of legal services in advancing justice and supporting under-represented communities. It will offer a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance of giving back through legal expertise, while celebrating the incredible efforts of those leading the way in this space. Our esteemed panel includes:

 

  • Claire Paterson, a personal injury and clinical negligence expert, as well as a supervising solicitor at the University of Edinburgh’s Free Legal Advice Clinic. Claire’s work supports both her clients and law students through the legal process.
  • Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm recognized for its distinguished pro bono history and commitment to promoting the rule of law and expanding access to justice.
  • The Edinburgh Law School Tax Clinic, an initiative offering free, means-tested tax advice to individuals in Scotland, empowering students to provide over 1,000 pro bono hours since its launch.
  • The University of Edinburgh Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC), which has been providing free legal services to the community since 2007, fostering strong connections between legal education and community support.
  • The University of Edinburgh Freedom of Expression Clinic: The Clinic aims to bridge theory and practice and to offer students the opportunity to work alongside practicing lawyers on international casework. The clinic will specifically address cases of violation of freedom of expression and related human rights against journalists and media operators. The Clinic is a collaboration between Edinburgh Law School and leading practitioners in the fields of international human rights and media law, such as the international NGO Media Defence based in London.

The event will begin with brief presentations from the Law School’s pro bono clinics, followed by insights from our panellists on their personal experiences and the importance of pro bono work in their respective fields. Afterward, we will open the floor for a Q&A session, allowing you to engage with our speakers on any topics that resonate with you. Following the formal discussion, there will be an opportunity for networking over refreshments, giving you the chance to continue these important conversations and connect with fellow attendees. We very much look forward to a stimulating and inspiring discussion, and we hope you can join us. Registration can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1048876446687?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information about this event, please click on the following link:

https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/news-events/events/pro-bono-week-panel-discussion

 

 

A Tale of Two Universities: The Power of Partnerships – Dundee Students Join Forces for Pro Bono”

This panel event brings together staff, students and alumni from the two Dundee Universities – Abertay (Tayper Law Project) and Dundee ( Pro Bono Society and Dundee Law Clinic) – to discuss the benefits of Pro Bono on our local community. We are excited to invite anyone who would like to attend and hear from our Panel of leaders in this exciting area!

 

The event will be held at 5 pm, Wednesday 6th November, in the Dalhousie Building on the Dundee University Campus, Room LT2. Please follow the link below to sign up for tickets!

This is an in person event by registration only.

To register for this event, please click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck8GXB8Qx02FVebIV5Ji08JfzL9Zl92yZCZfgdLyXNPYGl6g/viewform 

Rights of Nature: Recognising Natural Entities Panel Event – Simmons & Simmons

We are excited to extend to you an invitation to our upcoming panel event, “Rights of Nature Recognising Natural Entities”.

This event aims to bring together leading figures in environmental law and philosophy to explore the foundational concepts and future directions of the Rights of Nature movement. It’s an opportunity to engage with experts and thought leaders on the forefront of advocating for the legal recognition and protection of natural entities.

Panel Overview:

Chaired by Ali Crosthwaite from Simmons & Simmons, the panel features:

  • Emma Montlake from the Environmental Law Foundation;
  • Paul Powlesland from Garden Court Chambers; and
  • Neil Williams, a philosopher specialising in environmental philosophy

This event is designed to provide a comprehensive introductory overview of the Rights of Nature, engaging with its legal, ethical, and philosophical dimensions. The panel session will seek to define the “rights of nature” and how businesses can support the aims of providing legal personhood to natural entities such as rivers, forests and ecosystems.

We believe this event aligns with our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and legal innovation, and we would be delighted to have you join us for what promises to be a stimulating and insightful discussion.

Date :Thursday, 7 November 2024

Time: 6 – 8pm

6pm arrival and networking

6.30pm panel session

7.30pm networking drinks & canapes

Location: Lecture Theatre, Simmons & Simmons Office, One Ropemaker, Street, London

 

RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by Monday 4 November to secure your place using the following link: Rights of Nature: Recognising Natural Entities – Panel Event | RSVP (Blank) (vuturevx.com)

This event is co-hosted by the green room and the Pro Bono Team at Simmons &
Simmons LLP.

 

Norfolk Community Law Service – Pro Bono drop-in

We are pleased to announce that as part of Pro Bono Week, Norfolk Community Law Service has organised a Pro Bono drop-in, happening Thursday 7th November, 11-1pm at our Norwich office. This aims to provide local law firms the opportunity to learn more about the importance of free legal advice, their role within this, and for potential volunteer solicitors to sign-up to provide pro bono advice themselves.