This award highlights best practice and innovation in community investment including fundraising and charitable giving, pro bono and non-legal volunteering. The judges looked for innovative and sustainable solutions to an identified need, which produced significant impacts for both the community and the organisation, in programmes over and above core business activity.
Winner
Northumbria University - Student Law Office
Northumbria University's Student Law Office significantly contributes to the community, providing valuable pro-bono legal advice and assistance to the public. The service is key in facilitating access to justice, while instilling an ethos of public service in students, which they carry into their future career.
Highly Commended
Justice for Children - Rift Valley Newcastle Justice Project Ltd
This charity was born out of the twinning relationship between the Law Societies of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and the Rift Valley in Kenya. It provides legal representation for children in Kenya who would not otherwise have access to legal assistance, and since 2005 has helped several thousand children.
Shortlisted
Douglas Wemyss Solicitors LLP
Douglas Wemyss Solicitors' community investment is widely recognised. The firm was awarded Law Firm of the Year 2011 by Leicestershire Law Society. Douglas Wemyss supports charities and offers expertise and service to the local community, aiming to be accessible to everyone.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's corporate social responsibility programme allows the firm’s lawyers to use their skills and expertise to work on some of the key issues that affect communities: homelessness, disadvantaged young people, access to justice and human rights. Taking a strategic approach and carefully selecting partnerships allows the firm to maximise benefits to the community and to their team.
Harvey Ingram LLP
Harvey Ingram LLP have a wholehearted commitment to supporting and improving their community and environment. Corporate social responsibility is a key ethos for the firm, and a fundamental cornerstone of their development plan for the future.
Hogan Lovells LLP - It's Not Just Peanuts
While pro bono helps plug a gap, it's not a substitute for a comprehensive legal aid service. The 'It’s Not Just Peanuts'campaign helps provide extra support for legal advice charities so their crucial work can continue. Hogan Lovells aim to raise at least £250,000 by the end of 2011.
Paynes Solicitors
Community minded from the outset, Paynes have established a contact centre for Dover, a first move towards a multi-agency single contact point for families in crisis. Their passion and conviction have attracted the support of funders and, crucially, a committed body of volunteers that make this a realistic proposition.
Simmons & Simmons LLP
Simmons & Simmons' work with The Big Issue Foundation, managed by corporate partner Matt Rees, demonstrates the firm's commitment to providing pro bono legal assistance. Their new vendor development programme is an innovative way of involving people across the firm to enhance the prospects of a Big Issue vendor.