Held on Wednesday 3rd December at the Law Society, the event was hosted by Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor of The Sunday Times, and the awards were presented by Ian Jeffery, Chief Executive of the Law Society of England and Wales
The Awards recognise and celebrate the pro bono commitment of LawWorks members, their charity and corporate partners, and the work of independent clinics in the LawWorks Clinics Network.
Winners were chosen across thirteen categories, reflecting the breadth and range of pro bono activity in England and Wales, internationally and through LawWorks’ own pro bono programmes. Individuals, law firms, in house teams, law schools, students, charities, advice agencies, law centres and many non legal volunteers were represented in this year’s shortlist and award recipients.
Commenting on the awards winners, Rebecca Wilkinson, the Chief Executive of LawWorks, said:
“The LawWorks Pro Bono Awards are always a highlight of our year, a chance to recognise the people whose generosity and skill make such a difference. The stories we heard tonight capture the very best of our profession, people offering their time with compassion and determination so that others are not left to face legal challenges alone. Pro bono changes lives in quiet but powerful ways, made possible by the volunteers, partners and organisations who choose to step forward. We are incredibly proud of everyone recognised this evening, and deeply grateful to all those who make this work possible. Their commitment is a reminder of why access to justice matters, and why we must keep championing and strengthening the pro bono community across England and Wales."
The winners of the 2025 LawWorks Pro Bono Awards are:
- Best Contribution by a Small or Medium Firm: Hodge Jones & Allen
- Best Contribution by a Large Firm: Eversheds Sutherland (International)
- The Jonathan Goldsmith Award for Best Contribution by an In-house Team or an In-house Solicitor: BPP Social Impact Team, BPP Education Group
- Best Contribution by a Junior Lawyer: Caolán Duffy, Covington & Burling
- The Stephen Denyer Award for Best Contribution by an Individual: Naga Kandiah, MTC Solicitors
- Best Pro Bono Contribution in Wales: Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic
- Best Contribution by a Pro Bono Clinic: King's Legal Clinic
- Best International Pro Bono Award - in partnership with A4ID: UN Human Rights Committee Rulings on Reproductive Rights, Debevoise & Plimpton
- Best New Pro Bono Activity: eVisa Guide and Support Sessions Project: Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Clyde & Co, Dechert, Linklaters and Squire Patton Boggs
- Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership: The Young People's Life Café and Farrer & Co
- Best Contribution to LawWorks Not-For-Profits Programme: Covington & Burling
- Best Contribution to LawWorks Secondary Specialisation Programme: Pallas Partners
- The Pro Bono Connect Award – sponsored by One Essex Court: Mayer Brown and Matthew Parfitt of Erskine Chambers
LawWorks is incredibly grateful to this year’s judging panel, which includes:
- Clare Carter, Chief Executive of The Access to Justice Foundation
- Mark Evans, President of The Law Society of England and Wales
- Josh Giddens, Director of Practical Guidance, LexisNexis UK & Ireland
- Chris Minnoch, Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group
- Professor Richard Owen, Chair of the Law Society’s Access to Justice Committee
- Paul Rogerson, Editor of the Law Society Gazette
- Yasmin Batliwala, Chief Executive of A4ID
- Rebecca Wilkie, Chief Executive of Advocate
You can find out more about all those shortlisted and our winners in the 2025 LawWorks Pro Bono Awards programme.
Photographs of the event are available on request.
Shivani Clancy, Communications Officer: shivani.clancy@lawworks.org.uk