Lawyers collect pro bono prizes

YSG AWARDS: Clifford Chance's Richard Pierce wins top Gazette-sponsored honour for 'outstanding' work with two centres

A one-year qualified solicitor from the world's largest law firm has scooped this year's main pro bono award presented by the Young Solicitors Group and sponsored by the Gazette.Richard Pierce, who only qualified last year at City firm Clifford Chance, was given both the prize for work done from a large law firm and an overall prize to reflect his 'outstanding' contribution to various efforts.

Other winners at the awards ceremony in London last week were: in the small firms category, Philip Cartin of Bromley firm Ewings; in the central and local government/in-house category, Yagazie Nwaigwe of Harlow Council; and in the team category, a 14-strong group from City firm Simmons & Simmons.

Also presented on the night was the Wig & Pen Prize, which was won by Belinda Moffat of City firm Ashurst Morris Crisp.

It was the first time the award had been sponsored by the Holborn and City of London local law societies.Mr Pierce headed the field for his voluntary work as co-ordinator of legal advice surgeries at two centres, Hackney People's Rights in east London and the Wandsworth & Merton Law Centre in the south-west of the capital.

He was also cited by the judges for his letter writing efforts for Amnesty International on behalf of political prisoners around the world.The chairman of the judges, Lord Phillips of Sudbury, pointed out that Mr Pierce also devoted time as a home visitor for isolated people suffering from HIV or Aids.

In addition, he is a member of Foodchain, an organisation that delivers hot meals to the housebound.Mr Cartin was awarded the small firms prize primarily for his work as a volunteer at the Streetwise Law Clinic and Youth Action 2000, which are based in Penge, south London.

Mr Nwaigwe picked up the in-house award for his voluntary work as a duty representative at Woolwich County Court in south-east London.

The Simmons & Simmons group took the team prize for its work at the Battersea Legal Advice Centre.

And Ms Moffat was cited for her work defending death row prisoners in the Caribbean as well as her voluntary work at Toynbee Hall Community Law Centre in east London.All five winners were presented with cash prizes which are to go towards the funding of their various pro bono projects.

The 8,500 was donated by City-based law firm Eversheds, the University of Westminster and Holborn and City Law Society.

Cash awards were also made to the runners up.

Jonathan Ames