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International Edition

Freshfields adds to pro bono efforts with London Gay Games advice

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has become an official supporter of London's bid to host the 2018 Gay Games. The city has been shortlisted to host the event alongside Paris and Limerick, with a final decision expected to be announced by governing body, Federation of Gay Games, in October. As well as sponsoring the bid, the firm is providing London's bidding team with pro-bono legal advice and non-legal advice, drawing upon the experience gained through its role as sole legal services provider to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
2 minute read

International Edition

Charity forged by College of Law sale hands out first law grants

The Legal Education Foundation (LEF) - the charitable arm spun out of last year's sale of the College of Law - has formally launched with a series of six grants to initiatives supporting pro bono, social mobility and access to justice. LEF - which has funds of approximately £200m generated by last April's sale of the College of Law's education and training business to Montagu Private Equity - was set up to continue the College's charitable activities in the wake of the takeover.
3 minute read

International Edition

Time to show communities we really care by mucking in with charities on all fronts

When firms look at how they can support communities through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, many opt for schemes that try to improve the job chances and skills of the people they're supporting. They hope that in turn this will help the personal development of their own staff. There are, however, other types of programme addressing a range of issues that are less typical but equally worthwhile. For example, the less-travelled road of volunteering can still improve the lives of those supported. But it has the added benefit of developing communication, leadership and teaching skills for employees – skills which companies often have to address anyway through in-house training. Reed Smith is an international law firm based near Liverpool Street, right in the heart of the City of London. It is impossible for anyone working in the City not to see the sharp contrast between the area's wealth and that of its less privileged neighbours. This juxtaposition is emphasised further by a palpable lack of interaction between the two.
5 minute read

International Edition

CSR Award: Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance (CC) is running an initiative to help 100,000 people across the world through community and pro bono work. One example of the work undertaken by Middle East-based staff was a drive to raise AED100,000 (£18,000) to pay for a school bus for the Special Needs Family Centre in Dubai. The cheque was delivered to the centre in December. The bus will allow more children to attend the school and facilitate larger field trips. Staff at CC's Middle East offices formed a fundraising committee and arranged a series of events to raise the cash. The fundraising drive was just one of several initiatives undertaken by the firm's regional branches as part of a co-ordinated strategy by the firm to boost access to justice through pro bono work; access to finance through microfinance initiatives; and access to education.
2 minute read

International Edition

Beating heart - British Heart Foundation GC on asking lawyers to work for free

Deborah Prince worked in private practice, at Tesco and Which? before heading the legal team at the British Heart Foundation. She talks to Grant Murgatroyd about her colourful career and why she isn't shy when it comes to asking lawyers to work for free...
9 minute read

International Edition

Mayer Brown and DLA amend bonus criteria for Asia associates

Mayer Brown and DLA Piper have amended their associate bonus schemes in Asia to help boost job satisfaction among their junior ranks. DLA has reduced the amount of billable hours required to earn extra cash, down from 1,650 hours per year to 1,550.
3 minute read

International Edition

CC picks five NGOs for client-level pro bono backing

Clifford Chance (CC) has selected five charities to which it will provide client-style support and financial assistance, in a new initiative which coincides with National Pro Bono Week 2012. The firm has identified five non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with which it will operate as if they were fee-paying clients, with each assigned at least one dedicated relationship partner.
2 minute read

International Edition

Ashurst joins top firms in hiking pro bono incentives

Ashurst has overhauled its pro bono scheme so hours count as utilised time, as a host of firms step up their effort to increase lawyer involvement in charitable activities ahead of next week's National Pro Bono Week.
3 minute read

International Edition

CC cites high work levels as firm reports 9% dip in pro bono hours

Clifford Chance (CC) has reported a 9% drop in the number of pro bono hours carried out by its lawyers during 2011-12, with the firm placing a value of £17m on the time invested over the financial year. According to the firm's annual corporate responsibility report, CC's lawyers around the world invested 50,324 hours in pro bono and community work during 2011-12, down 8.5% on the 2010-11 figure of 55,021.
3 minute read

International Edition

Sporting legacy - will Freshfields' Olympic role yield long-term benefits?

Suzanna Ring asks whether the firm won more than branded taxis and lollipops from its £10m sponsorship
6 minute read

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