Pro bono lures corporate clients, says BAE chief

CITY APPEAL: Square Mile campaign targets younger lawyers

Law firms with a strong pro bono culture are immediately more attractive to corporate clients, according to the managing director of a FTSE 100 company.

Terence Black - of BAE Systems Capital (a subsidiary of aeronautical engineering company BAE Systems) - told City lawyers that carrying out pro bono work was an indicator of a firm's quality, and something which he 'always looked for' when selecting a law firm.

Mr Black was speaking at an event hosted this week by City firm Linklaters as part of the 'Heart of the City' week, which encourages Square Mile-based companies to become involved in charity and community work.

'In these post-Enron days, the culture and ethos of a firm is important, and you need to be able to place your trust and integrity in your professional advisers,' he said.

'If a firm has a strong pro bono practice, potential clients can see at once that it has a professional core, and it is an indicator that they can be relied upon.'

Mr Black, in making a business case for doing pro bono work, also said that encouraging younger lawyers towards voluntary schemes was an excellent training aid.

'Lawyers need to be able to interact with clients face to face and realise how best they can help.

Working in a pro bono environment teaches them this very quickly.'

Andrew Hart, an assistant at Rooks Rider and winner of the Young Solicitors Group pro bono award, agreed.

'Working pro bono in a law centre is a steep learning curve for young solicitors, but it can make you a more rounded solicitor,' he said.

'The work is essentially the same - a contract written on the back of a beer mat is not dissimilar to a 64-page corporate contract.'

Also speaking at the symposium was chairwoman of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group, Sue Bucknall, who urged solicitors to make the most use of their skills.

'Lawyers are in a privileged position, and they are uniquely placed to do good,' she said.

Victoria MacCallum