Dechert scoops pro bono award

City firm Dechert won the firm prize at the inaugural Solicitors Pro Bono Group (SPBG) awards presented last week as the climax of National Pro Bono Week.

The firm was recognised for its work with the SPBG's LawWorks for Community Groups scheme, its partnership with North Kensington Law Centre and its participation in the SPBG's LawWorks Web scheme.

In a double victory, Dechert litigation assistant Richard Symonds received the Wig and Pen award from the City of London Law Society and the Westminster and Holborn Law Society in a separate ceremony.

He was recognised for his pro bono work at North Kensington Law Centre and the Royal Courts of Justice.

Suzanne Turner, the co-chairwoman of Dechert's pro bono committee, said the need for pro bono work was greater than ever, and it was 'the personal responsibility of every lawyer to help bridge the gap in unmet legal need and ensure equal access to the justice system'.

Also recognised at the SPBG awards were Clyde & Co assistant Nicola Higgs and the firm's head of training Judith Philip, who were joint winners of the 'contribution by an individual' award.

Ms Higgs set up a free legal advice clinic at Surrey Law Centre, staffed by volunteers from Clyde & Co and Charles Russell, and Ms Philip was recognised for her work in encouraging students and trainees to become involved in pro bono.

The second annual DLA Paul Nicholls Memorial Awards, created in honour of the firm's late managing partner who had a strong interest in pro bono, were also handed out last week.

US firm Steptoe & Johnson's London office won for its work founding and running a legal advice clinic at St Hilda's community centre in the east end of London.

The prize includes a 3,000 donation from DLA to the centre.

Linklaters real estate associate Helen Payne won for her pro bono work at Toynbee Hall charity, also based in the east end, which works to address the causes of poverty and distress.

The other winner was the team at Newcastle firm Robert Muckle led by Hugh Welch for its work with the St Chad's Community Project over four years.

The project provides educational programmes which look to create social inclusion in the local community.

Victoria MacCallum