November.06.2019
Legal Week has recognized Orrick as one of the top pro bono firms in the UK, ranking us #5 in the publication’s first ever pro bono survey.
The rankings are based on six categories, including number of pro bono hours worked, percentage of lawyers doing pro bono work (we were 100 percent) and input from peer firms. The publication noted that the rankings come “at a time when the next generation of lawyers is putting renewed attention on how firms give back to the community.”
“This is wonderful recognition of the dedication of our London lawyers to pro bono,” said Amy Grunske, International Head of Pro Bono, Sustainability and Community Responsibility for the firm, “and particularly their commitment to ensuring access to justice for vulnerable and marginalized individuals.”
Over the last 18 months, our London office has launched several new pro bono partnerships and programs focused on access to justice, including an initiative with Mencap to represent individuals with learning disabilities at welfare benefits tribunal appeals, and with LawWorks to advise destitute families with terminally ill children on social housing and community care issues.
“It is an honor to work directly with an individual in need and her family,” said Rebecca Kellner, an associate in the firm’s Technology Companies Group who represents clients through the Mencap initiative. “Listening to the issues they have faced and the impact of our work for them puts into perspective the importance of projects like this and how we can make such a difference in an individual’s life.”
Legal Week cited Orrick’s work in the area of impact finance and our leadership of a collaboration with four other firms to provide on-the-ground advocacy for asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesvos.
Simon Willis, our London office leader, added: “Under Amy’s leadership, we have been able to introduce a variety of new projects that make a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged individuals, as well as continuing to work on cutting-edge social impact finance matters and supporting the day-to-day legal needs of charities. We have also had the pleasure of working closely with several other law firms on new projects, particularly those involved in our Greece initiative on Lesvos, and we are proud to be a part of a collaborative profession with such a strong focus on working together to give back.”
Earlier this year, American Lawyer also ranked us top five for both U.S. and international pro bono among global law firms.
In other measures of law firm culture, Financial Times’ European Innovative Lawyers Report also recognized our London team this year for our work helping to found Reignite Academy, which creates career paths for women returning to the legal profession after taking time off to raise a family, and a wellness initiative focused on eliminating the stigma around talking about mental health.