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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop and manage pro bono legal services for diverse clients.
- Company: Leading law firm committed to access to justice and public interest.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, work in a supportive environment, and make a real difference.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Impact lives by providing free legal services and advocating for human rights.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with transactional experience and a passion for pro bono work.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team developing and managing the firm’s global pro bono practice. The role is based in London and will be offered as a 12 month fixed-term contract. We provide free legal services in the public interest (pro bono) to a wide range of clients, from individual asylum seekers to some of the world’s biggest charities. 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. And 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 with the Senior Pro Bono Lawyer, this role will involve:
- Dealing directly with existing and prospective pro bono clients to scope and develop potential pro bono mandates, with a focus on transactional mandates.
- Maintaining and developing strategic pro bono client relationships.
- Providing pro bono client advice, supervision and internal knowledge support in key legal areas relating to the firm’s pro bono practice (both local and international, with a focus on transactional areas).
- Leading on a key global legal research project, including strategic oversight (with the matter partner and head of pro bono) and delivery of international collaborative research sessions with colleagues and corporate client lawyers.
- 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.
- 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. NGO governance) and exploring further opportunities for pro bono work.
- Managing access to justice projects and clinics for individuals, including managing a personal case load, 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 globally on ongoing pro bono mandates.
- Assisting with the co-ordination of the firm’s global pro bono practice in all regions, with a particular focus on the firm’s pro bono practices in Amsterdam and Brussels.
- Providing creative input on improving and shaping the firm’s pro bono practice.
- 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 globally.
Key Requirements
- Qualified lawyer (guideline 3+ years PQE) with substantial transactional experience.
- 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 engage effectively with clients, fee earners and senior colleagues across a global organisation, using strong written and verbal communication skills to influence and quickly gain the confidence of those they advise.
- Confident and persuasive public speaker, able to deliver clear and engaging presentations to internal and external audiences, including senior stakeholders and corporate clients (with prior experience of delivering pro bono client collaborations and/or training sessions to in‑house legal teams desirable).
- Able to prioritise, act on own initiative and think strategically.
- Highly organised and resilient under pressure, bringing strong project management skills and excellent attention to detail.
Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK in the role in question and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing. Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only if and when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case‑by‑case basis and take a number of relevant factors into account (e.g. the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.
Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month Fixed-Term) employer: Freshfields
Contact Detail:
Freshfields Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month Fixed-Term)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those involved in pro bono work. Attend events or webinars related to social justice and legal aid to meet potential colleagues and clients.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for pro bono work during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles, whether through direct client work or by supporting initiatives that promote access to justice.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for your interviews by researching the firm’s pro bono projects. Familiarise yourself with their key areas of focus, like child rights and refugee rights, so you can discuss how your skills align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
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 genuinely interested in joining our dynamic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month Fixed-Term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pro Bono Work: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for pro bono work shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight your commitment to access to justice and how you’ve made a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your relevant transactional experience and any previous pro bono work. We want to see how your skills align with our mission and the specific responsibilities of the position.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freshfields
✨Know Your Pro Bono Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the firm's pro bono practice areas. Familiarise yourself with their key clients and the types of cases they handle, especially in child rights, refugee rights, and other focus areas. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Showcase Your Transactional Experience
Since the role emphasises transactional mandates, be ready to discuss your relevant experience in this area. Prepare specific examples where you've successfully managed similar cases or projects, highlighting your ability to navigate complex legal issues while maintaining client relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing your past pro bono work. Consider preparing a brief presentation on a relevant topic to showcase your public speaking skills, as this could impress the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenging situations. Think of scenarios from your previous roles where you had to prioritise tasks or manage multiple stakeholders. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.