Introduction
LawWorks in association with Roll On Friday have set up LawWorks Choices, a new project for unemployed lawyers. It gives them the chance to give pro bono advice to individuals and not for profit groups, to carry on practising and massively to improve their employment prospects.
It is estimated that some 10,000 City lawyers could be made redundant as part of the recession. This is the first initiative of its kind in which a sector is combating the downturn by helping ex-employees do work for the common good. If 500 of these lawyers each put in just 100 hours over the year (two hours a week) under this scheme it would generate the equivalent of some £12 million worth of free legal advice.
Some major law firms have offered guaranteed interviews to appropriately qualified candidates who spend a certain number of hours on this project. Further information about the Guaranteed Interview Scheme can be found here or using the menu link.
The Law Society and the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority will provide a practising certificate limited to pro bono work free of charge to legally qualified participants volunteering under this project.
Participants in the Choices Project will need to be members of LawWorks. Benefits of this membership include:
- Insurance cover to participate in pro bono advice
- CPD accredited training which is free of charge to members
- Monthly LawWorks newsletters
- Support and assistance from LawWorks' staff
- Opportunities to attend events and network with other lawyers, law firms and in-house legal teams who are involved with pro bono
The normal cost for an individual to join LawWorks is £60 + VAT. However we are offering a reduced membership fee of £25 + VAT to lawyers wishing to become involved in the Choices Project.
Please note that this is a special rate for unemployed lawyers and employment status will be checked.
For any lawyers who do not qualify for this project, membership details can be found here.
Further details of the opportunities offered through the Choices Project can be found here or using the menu system.
Aside from LawWorks’ projects, volunteers can also do placements in not-for-profit organisations. Details about this can be found here or via the Projects menu link.
Lawyers who are interested in this should register using the button below or the Register link on the menu system.
