I was surprised to read last week that Michael Tomlinson believes young solicitors are reluctant to participate in 'small-scale' pro bono work (see [2004] Gazette, 26 February, 1).

This is far from the experience of the Young Solicitors Group, which is finding that a commitment among members to incorporate pro bono work into their already pressured working lives has never been higher.

That commitment takes many forms but by far the majority of young solicitors volunteer through legal advice centres, giving up an evening a week to advise the 'real people' to which Mr Tomlinson refers.

Nor do I recognise Mr Tomlinson's description of City firms concentrating on and scooping prizes for high-profile pro bono work.

True, the corporate firms may be more willing than others to publicise the work they do, but a brief review of recent winners of the Young Solicitors Group pro bono awards illustrates the broad variety of pro bono work undertaken by young solicitors from all types of firms, including those in the City.

Among last year's finalists were young solicitors who volunteer at Islington Legal Advice Centre, of which Mr Tomlinson is the chairman, and the team award went to young solicitor volunteers at Toynbee Hall Free Legal Advice Centre.

These awards are highly valued by both the young solicitor volunteers and the projects that they serve, who recognise the benefits to the community in sharing positive stories of pro bono activity.

I hope Mr Tomlinson's comments will not dishearten those young solicitors who already juggle pressured jobs with a commitment to their communities or discourage others from doing the same.

Hannah Wiskin, Law Society Council member for young solicitors, London