US law firms outshine UK counterparts in pro bono work
updated on 12 November 2024
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US law firms are outperforming their London counterparts when it comes to pro bono work, according to a survey by Law.com. The study asked 35 law firms to disclose the total number of free hours worked by lawyers at their UK offices and the percentage of lawyers undertaking pro bono work.
Philadelphia-based Dechert LLP led the table, completing 15,706 hours of pro bono work, with 100% of its lawyers participating and averaging 101.5 hours each. California firm Latham & Watkins shared the first spot with Dechert, with 90% of its lawyers providing 27,202 hours of free work.
New York’s Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP and Hogan Lovells were tied for third place. Skadden’s lawyers contributed a total of 14,537 hours of free advice, averaging 71 hours each, while 83% of Hogan Lovells’ lawyers provided 33,741 hours of work, averaging 46.8 hours per lawyer.
However, the number of hours worked wasn’t the most important factor, with the report placing more emphasis on the percentage of lawyers getting involved in pro bono. For example, UK magic circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP ranked sixth, despite posting the highest total hours (39,590), due to a lower participation rate of 67%. In the same vein, global law firm DLA Piper UK LLP reported the second highest hours (35,497), but ranked ninth due to a 63% participation rate.
City law firms have noted that sending trainees and junior lawyers to provide advice in unfamiliar areas incurs costs for the agencies they aim to help, due to the need for training and supervision. To address this, some firms are funding the training and supervision costs.
Toby Brown, chair of Pro Bono Week, stated that several collaborative projects have been established where law firms work with specialist charities to train their lawyers to assist disadvantaged clients. In addition, LawWorks runs a programme that enables pro bono solicitors to support individuals in key areas such as social welfare, family and immigration law.
Yasmin Waljee, pro bono partner at Hogan Lovells, said that investment to support law centre resources is “essential”. Hogan Lovells co-funds a supervising social welfare solicitor at the Westway Trust. Waljee explains that this means: “incoming trainees now have the opportunity of taking on a welfare benefits case and are expected to advise at least one client with their application for welfare benefits during their two-year training contract.”
