LawWorks: sole practitioner who runs a clinic on a boat wins national recognition

A sole practitioner who runs a clinic on a boat in Cornwall won the best contribution by an individual at LawWorks' fourth annual pro bono awards ceremony, held last week as part of National Pro Bono Week.


David Jane, who set up the clinic last year, takes his boat up and down the county's coast, advising people on a range of legal issues including debt, housing, family and employment. He helps some 240 clients annually in a county that has no law centre.


International firms Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw and DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary shared the honours in the best contribution by a firm award. Mayer Brown was recognised for its outstanding regular commitment to LawWorks projects, while DLA Piper was praised for its consistent support for the group's projects in London and in particular the regions, where many senior staff take part.


The best contribution by an in-house team award went to Tooting Legal Advice Service volunteers, a rota of local private practice solicitors who provide evening clinics which last year advised more than 1,000 people. Jacky Sellers, a solicitor who voluntarily works two days a week in LawWorks' office, won the outstanding contribution category.


The chairman of LawWorks, Clyde & Co partner Paul Newdick, said: 'We are proud of the extent and diversity of commitment shown by our members and supporters to the pro bono movement in the UK. The winners are shining examples of that commitment.'


Speaking at LawWorks' annual conference, Jeremy Thomas, partner at City firm Allen & Overy, stressed to delegates the business case for pro bono. He said a firm-wide commitment to it helps to achieve the important objectives of recruiting the right people, retaining them, and creating a reputation of being a good community citizen.


At the YSG's eighth annual pro bono awards, also held last week, Andrew Cross, assistant secretary at the British Medical Association in Wales, won the best young in-house solicitor award. After being elected to the Cardiff Law Centre management committee, he developed a proposal for a pro bono employment clinic, in which he takes an active part.


Meinir Evans from Pontypridd firm Merlin Phillips won best young solicitor in the small firm category for setting up and running an advice clinic at a community cancer centre, while Helen Conway of Clyde & Co in Guildford won in the large firm category for setting up an advice service in the offices of Kingston's Citizens Advice Bureau.


Volunteers from Wragge & Co involved in the Birmingham Employment Rights Advice Line won the team award and legal practice course student Alexander Peschlow won the inaugural trainee solicitor award. He set up an advice service to support business start-ups.