Pro Bono Associate (no agencies)
What we will offer:
We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business.Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.
You can expect:
At Stephenson Harwood, we believe in fostering an environment where you can be your true self and achieve your career aspirations. We offer:
- A supportive and inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional growth.
- Early responsibility and involvement in meaningful projects.
- Competitive and fair compensation, with recognition based on performance.
- Flexible working arrangements to suit your needs.
Team Structure:
Stephenson Harwood is seeking a junior to mid-Level experience lawyer to join our dynamic pro bono team. This is an exciting opportunity to work under the guidance of our Senior Pro Bono Lawyer, contributing to impactful social, community, and environmental causes.You will play a pivotal role in supporting and expanding our pro bono practice, working closely with a team dedicated to making a difference.
You will be part of the Responsible Business team, reporting to the Senior Pro Bono Lawyer. The team also hosts up to two apprentice and/or trainees at a time completing seat rotations. The pro bono team sits within the wider Responsible Business portfolio and works alongside the D&I and social impact team.
Our pro bono practice is run out of our London office but covers our global network of offices and lawyers. While the work we undertake as part of our pro bono practice varies greatly, it is underpinned by a fundamental and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
The primary strands of our pro bono practice are human rights, access to justice and protection of the environment, and we also look for opportunities to pursue these themes in our areas of focus including life sciences & healthcare, energy transition and technology.Our clients include charities, social enterprises, for-purpose start-ups and individuals without financial means who are in need of legal assistance.
Main Responsibilities:
- Assist in the development and implementation of the firm's pro bono strategy, including by working with the heads of the firm's focus sectors to coordinate and align our pro bono and commercial strategy.
- Support the Senior Pro Bono Lawyer on the firm's human rights casework and, where appropriate, supervise and participate in casework in the firm's areas of focus.
- Support the expansion and sustainable development of pro bono projects and client relationships.
- Work alongside other pro bono lawyers in the UK and abroad to coordinate and develop collaborative pro bono projects to meet widespread unmet legal need and provide emergency response where it is needed.
- Manage incoming pro bono matters by reviewing requests for pro bono advice against the global policy and supporting the Business Acceptance team to open new pro bono matters.
- Supervise junior staff including solicitor apprentices and trainees who rotate through the pro bono team.
- Track and monitor the progress of pro bono matters, ensuring effective communication and reporting.
- Collaborate with the future talent team to enhance outreach programmes and create opportunities for pro bono participation among junior fee earners.
- Work with the communications and business development teams to promote the firm's pro bono efforts.
Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.
Attributes/Skills Required:
- Lawyer qualified in England & Wales with expected PQE of 2-4 years (equivalent experience will be considered), (or, alternatively, qualification in another jurisdiction with experience practising in England & Wales).
- Experience of pro bono work from within either a commercial law firm or a legal advice provider is essential.
- Experienced in managing a pro bono practice or pro bono matters in a law firm or legal advice provider setting is desirable.
- Experience practising in one of our thematic areas of focus (human rights, access to justice or environmental protection and climate change mitigation) is desirable.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work collaboratively and engage with stakeholders at all levels.
- A proactive approach and a passion for social impact.
This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.
Application closing date: 5 pm on 21 March 2025
About the Firm:
With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions and individuals across the globe.Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.
Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.
We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.
Our Values
Individuality - We encourage creativity and devlop talent.
Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard.
Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships.
Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say.
Our Vision into 2026
To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.
This version is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character - the attributes we want to see from all of our people. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.
A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transporation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.