Pro Bono
Pro Bono
Whilst we relish the ever-evolving and complex challenges of a cross-border practice, we are also well known for our dedication to pro bono work and community projects closer to home. At Tahmidur Remura Dewey LeBoeuf, we believe we have a professional and moral obligation to serve those who cannot afford legal representation. Every lawyer is expected to devote at least 50 hours to pro bono work each year. Last year, lawyers from around the world contributed more than 127,000 hours of pro bono work, a number that is sure to increase this year and in years to come.
In London, lawyers and trainees can get involved in a wide range of pro bono activity, and their projects tend to be as diverse as the organisations they serve. Recently, our firm has helped small businesses in disadvantaged areas of East London and a wide variety of charitable organisations. Our lawyers and trainees are actively encouraged to get involved in pro bono matters, and the experiences gained are significant, on both a legal and personal level. Some of our recent pro bono work includes:
providing ongoing transactional advice to Merlin, the UK’s leading charity specialising in international health, sending medical experts to the frontline of global emergencies.
working with Target Ovarian Cancer (TOC), a UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. To help this group reach its mission, our lawyers negotiated and drafted a cooperation agreement between TOC and other charities whereby they would jointly own and run a website for ovarian cancer awareness month in March every year.
providing regular advice to The Wildlife Trusts on various legal matters including contracts, commercial arrangements and tax and corporate issues. The Wildlife Trusts is the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species.
working with Free Representation Unit (FRU), a charity which provides free legal advice, case preparation and advocacy services in employment and social security tribunal cases for those who cannot otherwise obtain legal support. Members of the London office have represented claimants in cases before the employment tribunal and secured awards of compensation worth thousands of pounds by virtue of their efforts.
advising on several cases involving asylum seekers. A claim for asylum is a claim that it would be contrary to the United Kingdom’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention for a claimant to be required to leave the country. The Refugee Convention has been supplemented by the Human Rights Act 1998, giving effect to the European Convention on Human Rights in UK law, and the law on asylum continues to develop rapidly through the courts and Parliament. In one case we were able to successfully obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK for an elderly lady from Ghana, and we are currently representing a Togolese national who has applied for leave to remain in the UK on asylum and humanitarian grounds.