The LawWorks Pro Bono Conference 2025 will bring together pro bono clinic and law firm coordinators and volunteers as well as stakeholders from the wider advice sector. The conference is kindly sponsored by Simmons & Simmons
Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing. This in-person event is a must-attend for legal professionals passionate about pro bono work. Don't miss out on the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights to enhance your pro bono practice.
Below is an evolving overview of the plan for the day, which will be updated as speakers and sessions are confirmed.
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Conference programme
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09:00 - 09:30
Registration and networking
09:30 - 09:45
Conference opening
09:45 - 10:00
Welcome speech
Speaker: LawWorks Chair TBC
10:00 - 10:30
Keynote
Speaker: TBC
10:30 - 11:30
Panel 1: LegalTech and its relationship with Access to Justice
Our first panel of the day panel will explore how LegalTech innovations can be used to transform access to justice, making legal services more efficient, affordable, and equitable for all.
Speakers:
- Sophia Adams Bhatti, JUSTICE
- Chair: Christina Blacklaws, LawTech
- Martha de la Roche, Access to Justice Foundation
- Catriona Filmer, Fieldfisher
- Josh Giddens, LexisNexis
- Drew Winlaw, Wavelength TBC
11:30 - 11:50
Coffee break
11:50 - 12:40
Access to justice innovations: Legal tech and AI supporting the delivery of free legal advice
This session is a practical showcase demonstrating how technology and AI are being used in 3 different free legal advice settings.
- Eleanor Scarlett, Director University of Suffolk Legal Advice Centre
- Mary Marvel, Advicenow
- Zahra Vasanji, Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale & Trafford
12:40 - 13:40
Lunch and Networking
13:45 - 14:45
Breakout sessions:
A) Perceived risk and conflict when taking on pro bono cases
- Speakers TBC
B) Secondary specialisation
- Sam Cottman, Travers Smith
- Emma Rehal-Wilde, Baker Mckenzie
- Chair: Ellen West, LawWorks
- Speaker from Kids in Need of Defense TBC
C) Staff and volunteer wellbeing: stress and vicarious trauma
This session will explore issues affecting the wellbeing of staff and volunteers and how to address these, ending with an optional guided meditation session.
- Anna Buttimore, LawCare
- Emma Jones, Head of Student Wellbeing at Sheffield University
- Chair: Suzy McGarrity, LawWorks
- Rebecca Norris, Trauma Informed Law
- +1 TBC
Ending with an optional 5 minute guided relaxation session by Amy Clarke
14:45 - 15:10
Coffee break
15:10 - 15:30
Clinics report launch
Rebecca Howell, Head of Clinics, LawWorks
15:30 - 16:30
Panel 2: The case for pro bono: overcoming barriers and putting in place best practices
This afternoon panel session will examine the common challenges faced by firms and in-house teams when running pro bono projects and recruiting volunteers.
- Max Finney, Shoosmiths
- Amanda Kwagala, Crowell & Moring
- Eliza Platts-Mills, qLegal, Queen Mary University of London
- Yasmin Waljee, Hogan Lovells
- Chair: Rebecca Wilkinson, LawWorks
16:30
Reflections on the day, conference close and networking
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