November 14, 2024
Willkie’s London office celebrated Pro Bono Week UK the week of Nov. 4 – 8, celebrating and recognizing the contributions of the firm and the legal profession in providing pro bono legal services to those in need.
On Nov. 5, the firm hosted a discussion on the UK asylum landscape and the value of pro bono advice. Speakers included Ayesha Aziz, legal services manager at pro bono partner Rainbow Migration, which provides legal and practical support to LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum, and Pat Monro, former immigration judge and trustee of Refugee Action Kingston, which provides sanctuary to refugees and asylum-seekers in southwest London.
Willkie’s pro bono practice in London has grown significantly this year, with dozens of UK attorneys participating in various pro bono activities across a range of legal practice areas.
Highlights this year include:
- Our multi-award winning Green Tech Legal Collaborative, a project founded by Willkie along with client Bloomberg and Ropes & Gray in 2021, is in its fourth year. The project was awarded Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership at the LawWorks UK Pro Bono Awards in December and, most recently, ESG Programme of the Year at the Legal Business Awards in September.
- Willkie has now helped 17 asylum clients referred to us by Rainbow Migration, with several applications successfully approved to date and other clients being supported with appeals.
- 26 Willkie lawyers were named on the inaugural Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales, established by the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee.