Several major firms have signed up to a pro bono scheme to provide volunteering opportunities to their non fee-earning staff.

Fred Banning, former head of communications at multinational firm Pinsent Masons, set up Fifth Day to connect the 30,000 professionals working in areas such as IT, finance and HR in the top 100 UK law firms with projects and trustee roles.

Banning said a dozen firms have already signed up: Burness Paull, Clyde & Co, Dentons, Eversheds Sutherland, Fieldfisher, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Gateley, Kennedy, Mills & Reeve, Pinsent Masons, Reed Smith and Watson Farley & Williams.

Fred Banning

Banning: scheme for non-lawyers is a win for law firms, employees and third sector organisations

The firms have committed to promoting pro bono opportunities among their workforce, recognising skills and experience gained in the voluntary sector in the context of personal development and introduce their own charitable partners to the scheme where appropriate.

Banning said: ‘It is really heartening that so many leading law firms have embraced the concept of non-legal pro bono. The great thing is that none of the conversations I have had with firms have revolved around “this is why pro bono is a good idea”. They know the benefits for their lawyers, and so making the case for extending a culture of pro bono to their business services teams is not a massive leap. It’s a win for the firms, their employees and the third sector organisations we’re trying to help.’

With a tough winter ahead, Banning said the work of third sector organisations is more important than ever. ‘This is a really tangible way for individuals to get involved and help, with the support of their employers. I hope that as time goes on, more firms will see fit to join in with us.'

Fifth Day will host a webinar on the first day of National Pro Bono Week, which begins on 7 November.