Highlighting Pro Bono Week Contributions

At Birkett Long, we've been celebrating the 22nd annual Pro Bono Week UK , providing an opportunity to recognise and support the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK in giving free legal help. As part of the week, we share some personal overviews of a snapshot of the pro bono work some of our colleagues undertake.

Tim. Ogle , Partner, Wills, Trusts and Probate Team?

In my pro bono work, I actively contribute to the Essex Law Clinic on the University of Essex campus in Colchester. Here, I leverage my expertise and knowledge to support students in offering legal advice to clients. My role includes leading client interviews, ensuring that students ask the right questions, and providing guidance and feedback where necessary. Serving as an advisor and mentor to these students is genuinely fulfilling.

This commitment allows me to make a positive impact and empower the next generation of legal professionals.?

Leah Woodlee , Chartered Legal Executive, Wills, Trusts and Probate Team In my pro bono work, I've participated in two Carers First sessions. The sessions gather non-professional carers who provide care for loved ones facing various challenges, from dementia and Alzheimer's to mental health issues and learning disabilities. Caring for a family member can be incredibly demanding, and Carers First organises events to provide these carers with essential support and guidance. My role in these sessions is to offer legal advice, help carers establish important documents for themselves, and assist in the affairs of those they care for.

Additionally, I provide guidance on drafting wills to ensure estates are inherited as desired and offer general inheritance tax advice. I also assist with applications for NHS Continuing Healthcare, a funded health and social care package.?

Jen Skingsley Senior Associate, Head of Marketing My pro bono work involves various roles and responsibilities within multiple organisations. I serve as a trustee and member of the board for the Mercury Theatre and provide valuable governance and strategic input. Additionally, I volunteer my marketing expertise for the League of Friends of St. Andrew's Church. I actively manage their social media accounts and create marketing materials for significant events that draw in over 1,000 visitors. I also oversee social media and marketing materials for St. Andrew's Church and assist Soul Food with their brand and promotional artwork. I set up and lead two choirs, Exaltation! and Hic Sumus, further strengthening my community involvement.

The benefits of my pro bono work are evident in the positive impact on the organisations and communities I support.?

Farrah Harvey-Nawaz , Associate Solicitor,? Divorce and Family Team For years, I've been a volunteer at the ARU Law Clinic (Anglia Ruskin University). This involves providing free legal advice to members of the public who are unable to afford it. The clinic also helps law students gain valuable skills, including conducting initial meetings, precise note-taking, and fostering creative problem-solving abilities that can be challenging to develop solely within an academic context. It also assists members of the public in gaining access to legal advice.?

In addition, in the Family Team, we often refer clients to domestic abuse charities or mental health charities to assist them. Sometimes, the charities will assist a client with drafting the paperwork in support of their application for an injunction.

Claire Read , Partner, Head of Private Client My pro bono involvement primarily revolves around my roles as a trustee and company secretary for the Essex Community Foundation (ECF). In these positions, I provide valuable advice, visit grant-recipient charities, and support ECF, our firm's charity. ECF's work is truly remarkable, and I find it humbling to witness the significant impact its grants have on the organisations it supports, ultimately benefiting numerous individuals.

The key benefit of my pro bono work is the tangible difference it makes in the lives of those served by ECF-funded organisations. This hands-on involvement is a privilege and deeply fulfilling.

Tim Field , Partner, Team Leader of the Business Team My pro bono work involves actively contributing to our community through various roles. As a trustee of Firstsite, Open Road Visions, and St Helena Hospice, I play a crucial role in overseeing the operations of these organisations. Additionally, I serve as a governor at Boxted St Peter's School and as a Director of Our Colchester, the operator of Colchester's Business Improvement District. These roles allow me to make a meaningful impact on various community-driven initiatives.

My motivation for this work is deeply rooted in a sense of community and a strong desire to give back to Colchester.

Kimberley Hircock , Solicitor, Education Team In my pro bono work, I provide support and guidance to parents navigating the complexities of special educational needs. Through our regular free webinars and monthly Q&A sessions, we empower parents with knowledge and resources, allowing them to make informed decisions.?

My drive for this pro bono work stems from the challenges parents face in securing the proper support for their children in the educational system. Education law involves multiple stakeholders, complex procedures, and common misconceptions. It is highly rewarding to inform parents about their rights and provide them with essential information. Our pro bono work demystifies the process, enabling parents to advocate effectively for their children's educational needs.

Emma Harper , Senior Associate, Wills, Trusts and Probate Team My pro bono work involves assisting in charity wills weeks. These include St. Helena which provides specialist palliative and end of life care to local people facing incurable illness in north east Essex, supporting them, their families, friends and carers.?

During wills week, we waive our fees, and our clients donate to the charity, helping raise vital funds. Our work with St Helena aligns with our commitment to local causes and the communities we serve.

Jemma Jones , Solicitor, Residential Real Estate Team I am a trustee of Suffolk Law Centre; the centre provides essential legal advice to those who may need help to ascertain legal advice. The service is vital to members of the community and provides them with the help and support they need in various areas of law.

I assist with the charity for the reasons above: it supports people in need, and they, along with other charities, need the support of volunteers to enable them to do the work they do. There are many people in all communities who do not have access to the legal support they need, and this is a vital service for them. The work that the volunteers do is crucial; it supports and helps hundreds of people. Without them, there would be more people in need of legal services without anywhere to go.

We thank our colleagues for participating in the Pro Bono Week celebration; it's been a pleasure to share some of their collective efforts in how they positively impact the lives of others through their pro bono work.