Sally Gill, Director of the City Law School’s Community Legal Advice Centre (CityCLAC), Tejal-Roma Williams, Supervising Lawyer and Quinton Nyirenda and Funmi Falegan, Trainees at Taylor Wessing LLP talk about the importance of pro bono to both Taylor Wessing and the City Law School students who volunteer.

Taylor Wessing LLP has had a long-term partnership with the City Law School collaborating for several years providing free legal advice to vulnerable clients across the central London boroughs on access to justice initiatives, not currently covered by legal aid.

Recent developments include the firm joining the CityCLAC Housing Disrepair Service which was set up in answer to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in 2020 who died from the inhalation of mould in the family home. The service assists social housing clients with complaints to their landlord or the Housing Ombudsman where necessary to ensure that the disrepair is fixed, and that compensation is awarded where applicable.

Why is doing pro bono important to commercial law firms? 

Working in a commercial law firm, especially one such as Taylor Wessing which operates on a global scale, you quickly become acclimatised to applying your skills and knowledge to serve the commercial objectives of the legal landscape. As such, it’s easy to become engrossed in the world of work alongside the competition and commerciality that comes with it.

Pro Bono work provides a great opportunity to use those same skills to support a different agenda – one which seeks to give back and provide reprieve to those who need it. 

Lawyers are problem solvers by nature, and we are extremely privileged to be able to do the work that we do. This is even clearer with Pro Bono work; it allows you to experience the fulfilment and satisfaction that derives from supporting those whose lives benefit immensely from the access to justice that we can provide.

Pro Bono work reminds us that it’s not just about the work; it’s about creating meaningful change and connecting with those we serve. 

Why do pro bono work alongside your day-to-day job? 

Engaging in pro bono work at Taylor Wessing offers more than just a chance to contribute to the community; it becomes an essential part of our professional growth and development. 

It’s common for junior members of the firm to be given a lot more responsibility on pro bono cases compared to our commercial work. This structure grants trainees, paralegals and apprentices significant responsibility early in their careers. This fosters leadership skills and confidence, enhancing the capabilities of the future generation of lawyers. 

Pro bono projects also provide exposure to unique areas of law that we may not encounter during our training contracts. For example, working on social housing disrepair matters via CityCLAC.

Participating in these initiatives sharpens our legal research and interviewing skills. It allows us to practise advising clients under the guidance of qualified solicitors, fostering a comprehensive skill set early in our careers. We greatly appreciate that one-to-one client contact, which is rare at such a junior level. 

Working closely with other trainees, paralegals, apprentices and law students at the City Law School builds a strong sense of teamwork. Our collaborative efforts are crucial as we develop secondary specialisms, ensuring continuity and collective success. Similarly, pro-bono activities enable us to expand our professional network within Taylor Wessing. Collaborating with colleagues from different departments introduces fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to problem-solving, enriching our professional connections. 

Supporting City Law students and work experience pupils also helps cultivate the next generation of socially responsible lawyers, who are more likely to volunteer in their future careers.

What impact has your work had on you? What tips/advice would you give to someone looking to do pro bono work/is unsure where to start? 

Volunteering with CityCLAC has been incredibly insightful in understanding the firm’s stance on valuing contribution to the community – something that is thematic across many of the initiatives that are run by the firm. Not only do you get the chance to partake in extremely fulfilling work, but you are also able to do this alongside colleagues from across the firm.

What benefit does working with CityCLAC have for students at the City Law School?

At CityCLAC, we are committed to promoting social mobility and increasing diversity within the legal profession. Many of the students who join us come with doubts about their own abilities and may feel that a legal career is out of their grasp. Having the opportunity to work with qualified lawyers, trainees, apprentices and paralegals is an amazing chance for students to immerse themselves in the practice of law, and experience what the culture is like in larger law firms.

Many of the students are the first to go to university or were on free school meals as a child. In many ways, doing pro bono levels the ‘playing field’ in that these students are less likely to have any network in law, or any legal work experience to use in applications for training contracts or paralegal work.

Through the CityCLAC partnerships with Taylor Wessing, we remove the barriers of perception that can exist between students and the profession. By connecting students with volunteer lawyers, we provide invaluable networking opportunities, mentorship, and guidance, which empowers students to see that the legal field is accessible to them. 

And for clients? 

For our clients, this partnership not only enhances the quality of the legal advice and services we offer but also ensures greater access to justice, something that would not be possible without the ongoing support of this vital partnership.

Sally Gill said: “At CityCLAC we are extremely proud of our law firm partnerships which have endured for several years providing access to justice to those most in need. The length of the relationship with Taylor Wessing LLP is testament to the firm’s clear commitment to pro bono which is more important than ever given the continuing effects of cuts to legal aid, which have created advice deserts across the country.”

Jess Thomas, Senior Pro Bono Lawyer at Taylor Wessing said: “Taylor Wessing is immensely proud to support City CLAC.  We’ve grown a successful and collaborative partnership over the years which has rendered fantastic outcomes for our community – both in respect of providing access to justice to individuals in need, but also great professional development opportunities for our lawyers and the students at City.  Our trainees should be really proud of the work they do to contribute to the running and co-ordination of the clinic.  We’re also very grateful to the team at City CLAC for all they do!”

Tejal-Roma Williams said: “The partnership with Taylor Wessing plays a crucial role for the City Law School students, offering them the opportunity to witness legal advice being given in real time. This experience not only helps students develop essential skills, but more importantly, it reinforces the belief that qualifying as a lawyer is within their reach.”