Pro Bono Lawyer

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.

We are a collegial and collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realise their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Pro-Bono department in our London office as a Pro Bono Lawyer.

• Support the Firm's Pro Bono Partners, Global Director of Pro Bono and Pro Bono Counsel (Europe) in the delivery and development of the European pro bono programme.
• Work with the Firm’s Pro Bono Counsel (Europe) to:
• Conduct legal and strategic assessments of new pro bono opportunities and referrals, making recommendations on suitability, resourcing, supervision requirements and alignment with the Firm's pro bono priorities.
• Evaluate legal, regulatory, conflicts, data protection/GDPR and reputational risks associated with prospective and ongoing pro bono matters, escalate issues  and liaise with Legal Risk Management Team, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Legal Risk Management and Information Governance in relation to data handling, access and data retention issues.
• Manage the onboarding of pro bono clients, including matter openings, engagement terms and compliance processes.
• Manage and support a portfolio of pro bono matters and projects, including the opportunity to undertake pro bono casework where appropriate and of interest, under partner or counsel supervision.
• Draft and review legal documents, correspondence, applications, agreements and client advice in connection with pro bono matters, where relevant and if required
• Support lawyers and legal teams delivering pro bono services and monitor the progress of matters to promote compliance with professional obligations and client service standards.
• Provide, as necessary, guidance and practical legal support to lawyers, trainees and volunteers participating in pro bono matters, legal clinics and community-based projects.
• Develop, in conjunction with pro bono partner organisations, legal know-how, precedents, training materials and resources to support the delivery of pro bono programmes.
• Organise and deliver pro bono training sessions, events, clinics and engagement initiatives, coordinating with internal teams and external partners.
• Act as a point of expertise on access to justice initiatives and emerging developments affecting pro bono practice.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic pro bono initiatives across the European offices.
• Identify, assess and help establish new pro bono partnerships and projects with charities, NGOs, social enterprises, legal clinics and community organisations.
• Manage cross-office and cross-practice pro bono projects, balancing legal, operational and stakeholder requirements.
• Support collaboration with clients on pro bono and social impact initiatives.
• Represent the Firm in relationships with external pro bono organisations, legal clinics, charities, clients, professional bodies and sector working groups, as appropriate.
• Promote participation in the Firm's pro bono programme and support Pro Bono Champions and other internal stakeholders across the European offices.
• Prepare internal and external pro bono communications, including reports, newsletters, award submissions, website content and presentations.
• Monitor, analyse and report on pro bono participation, hours, outcomes and impact across the European offices.
• Ensure pro bono matters are conducted in accordance with professional conduct requirements, risk management procedures and regulatory obligations.
• Advise on supervision arrangements, engagement terms and matter governance for pro bono work, and work closely with the Firm's Legal Risk Management team in relation to pro bono engagements.
• Coordinate meetings and support programme governance, including preparing materials, scheduling meetings, taking notes where required, tracking actions and monitoring progress against programme objectives.
• Provide day-to-day operational and administrative support for the European pro bono programme, liaising with secretarial, reception, hospitality and other business support teams as required.
• Assist with monitoring the pro bono budget and coordinating expenses and invoice payments with relevant business support teams.
• Support the annual Pro Bono Awards and other internal and external events and recognition initiatives.
• Maintain relevant departmental documents, internal systems and pro bono website content.
• Undertake other duties reasonably required to support the Firm's pro bono objectives.

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or equivalent legal professional with an SRA-recognised or equivalent legal qualification.
• Experience of pro bono legal work, public interest law, access to justice initiatives, social impact programmes and/or legal project management.
• Experience managing legal matters and working with lawyers across different practice areas.
• Experience working with charities, NGOs, social enterprises, community organisations or vulnerable clients is desirable

Experience, skills and personal attributes:

• Strong legal analysis, sound professional judgement and practical problem-solving skills.
• Excellent project management, organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple matters, projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and respond effectively to shifting priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting legal materials, reports, submissions and presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with lawyers, clients, external organisations and business support teams.
• Ability to influence, inspire and engage colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience providing practical guidance and support to lawyers, trainees or legal volunteers is desirable.
• Experience of developing legal know-how, training materials or precedents is desirable.
• Strong technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to use technology to support project delivery and reporting.
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
• A commitment to access to justice, social impact, diversity and inclusion, and high-quality pro bono legal services.
• Fluency in French preferred.
• Professional, responsive and adaptable, with a willingness to undertake the coordination and administration required for the effective operation of the programme.

Our culture promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation and productivity among people from all backgrounds and values different perspectives and ideas.

One of our core values at Mayer Brown is to promote inclusion at all levels within the business which is actively supported by our Employee Resource Groups - LGBTQIA+, Fusion (Race & Ethnicity), Multi-faith, Women, Enable (Disability), Social Inclusion and Opportunities Network and Work and Me (Family).

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that individuals may require throughout the recruitment process and once they have joined the Firm.