At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Pro Bono team to provide impactful legal services and support vulnerable communities.
- Company: Freshfields, a leading global law firm committed to social justice.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on access to justice and meaningful client relationships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your legal career.
- Qualifications: Qualified transactional lawyer with pro bono experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Freshfields is seeking a Senior Pro Bono Lawyer to join our global Pro Bono team on a 12-month FTC/4 day week basis. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced transactional lawyer who values flexibility and impact.
Pro Bono Practice
We provide free legal services in the public interest (pro bono) to a wide range of clients, from individual asylum seekers to others. We believe everyone should have effective access to their legal rights, and focus our efforts in certain areas, including child rights, refugee rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and human trafficking. Our aim is to have the greatest possible impact on access to justice and access to opportunity, through deep relationships with our ongoing pro bono clients and by proactively supporting them in addressing systemic issues. Our pro bono clients are clients of the firm: we don’t distinguish internally between paid work and pro bono, and often bring together cross-border, cross-practice teams as needed. Our pro bono clients also benefit from the skills of our business services professionals. We work with legal teams at our corporate clients to support their pro bono activities and collaborate on projects that meet our shared objectives.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
- Reporting to the Head of Pro Bono, and working closely within the pro bono team, this role will involve maintaining and developing strategic pro bono client relationships, including with leading NGO clients, to understand their legal needs and scope and develop new pro bono mandates.
- Dealing directly with existing and prospective pro bono clients to scope and develop potential pro bono mandates, with a focus on transactional mandates.
- Liaising with each of the firm’s practice groups and offices to place new pro bono matters with a particular focus on our transactional teams - supporting their areas of pro bono expertise (e.g. social outcomes contracts) and exploring further opportunities for pro bono work.
- Providing pro bono client advice, supervision and internal knowledge support in key legal areas relating to the firm’s pro bono practice, with a focus on transactional areas.
- Managing key access to justice projects such as our welfare benefits appeals project, including supervising cases and dealing with technical queries from fee earners on ongoing matters.
- Advising and supporting lawyers on their legal pro bono work including dealing with technical queries from fee earners on ongoing pro bono mandates.
- Line managing the Pro Bono Executive (who is based in Manchester).
- Internal scoping of new pro bono mandates including ensuring appropriate risk and regulatory checks are carried out and considering regulatory and liability issues as well as the scope and terms of new matters.
- Supporting the development of the firm’s pro bono practice in particular offices, including in Asia and Europe, by building strong relationships with partners and associates, and relevant public interest organisations that link to our global priority areas.
- Providing creative input on improving and shaping the firm’s pro bono practice and strategy.
- Delivering internal and external presentations on the firm’s pro bono practice.
- Assisting with the internal management of the practice, including internal and external communications, award submissions and tracking the progress and impact of pro bono matters.
Key Requirements
- Qualified transactional lawyer (guideline 5+ years PQE).
- Substantial prior experience of pro bono work in a law firm context, ideally as a pro bono professional.
- Prior experience of advising vulnerable individuals.
- Solid legal research skills and appetite to develop existing and new areas of legal expertise.
- Able to interact with clients, fee earners and other colleagues at a senior level – understands how to influence and operate across a global organisation.
- Strong written and communication skills; quickly gains the confidence of those they advise.
- Strong project management skills.
- Able to prioritise and act on own initiative.
- Thinks strategically; able to relate individual initiatives to the big picture.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Resilient and able to cope under pressure.
Inclusion
Senior Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month FTC) in London employer: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Freshfields is an exceptional employer that champions flexibility and meaningful impact through its global Pro Bono team. With a strong commitment to social justice, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that values diversity and inclusion, alongside opportunities for professional growth in various legal areas. The firm's dedication to pro bono work not only enhances the skills of its lawyers but also fosters deep connections with clients and communities, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while making a difference.
Contact Details:
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month FTC) in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or mentors. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Show Your Passion for Pro Bono
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your commitment to pro bono work. Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in this area. It shows you’re not just looking for a job, but you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Research the firm’s pro bono initiatives and think about how your skills align with their goals. Prepare thoughtful questions that show you’re engaged and interested in their work. This will help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our pro bono efforts.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Pro Bono Lawyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in pro bono work and transactional law, showing us how you align with our mission of providing access to justice.
Showcase Your Impact:We want to see how you've made a difference in your previous roles. Share specific examples of your pro bono work and the positive outcomes you've achieved for clients. This will help us understand your commitment to social justice.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate strong written communication skills, so make sure your application reflects that!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
✨Know Your Pro Bono Impact
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of pro bono work and its impact. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've contributed to access to justice in previous roles. This shows your passion for the cause and aligns with the firm's values.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Prepare to talk about how you approach strategic relationships with clients, especially NGOs. Think of examples where you've successfully scoped and developed pro bono mandates, and be ready to share your thought process on how to align these with broader organisational goals.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Since this role involves managing key access to justice projects, come equipped with examples that highlight your project management experience. Discuss how you've prioritised tasks, managed teams, and delivered results under pressure, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Their Vision
Familiarise yourself with Freshfields' pro bono initiatives and their focus areas. During the interview, engage with their vision by asking insightful questions about their current projects and expressing your enthusiasm for contributing to their mission of providing legal services in the public interest.
