Share
The 24th UK Pro Bono Week took place from 3 to 7 November 2025 and provided an opportunity to recognise and support the voluntary contribution made by the legal profession across the UK in giving free legal help to those in need.
The overall theme for this year's Pro Bono Week was ‘Pro Bono in Action’, with a focus on stories of impact, pro bono as a professional and business development tool and supporting volunteer engagement.
To celebrate UK Pro Bono Week, Kennedys hosted and supported a number of events across the week.
Running throughout the Week was Kennedys’ social media ‘I do Pro Bono…’ campaign, featuring pro bono volunteers sharing their pro bono experience, talking about why they do pro bono and explaining why it is important.
You can catch up on our campaign videos from Catriona Melton (Legal Director), Ryan Webb (Associate) and Gbemisola Obolo (Associate), below.
UK Pro Bono Week launch
On Monday 3 November, Pro Bono Manager, Emma Blackstone, attended the official launch of UK Pro Bono Week at the offices of Simmons and Simmons. Opened by the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC, the event included a lively discussion on what law firm pro bono can look like and how lawyers can make it happen.
Public Legal Education in action: introducing Streetlaw and the Goldilocks trial
On 4 November, Kennedys hosted an online workshop with BPP Law School to introduce public legal education project ‘Streetlaw’ and promote volunteer opportunities. We were joined by Marika Dorvlo, Social Impact Manager at BPP University, who introduced the ‘Goldilocks trial’, which is used to educate young people about the criminal justice system and to raise aspirations around a career in law.
Kennedys' volunteers, Gbemisola Obolo, India O’Hagan, Gabriella Piccioni and Myriam Leslie Bamba, who have already delivered the Goldilocks trial in a London school, shared their experience and the skills they developed by getting involved. Volunteers even got the opportunity to take part in a section of the trial -watching video evidence of the cross examination of ‘Mummy Bear’.
A team of new volunteers has been recruited since this session and, later this month, the team will deliver multiple Streetlaw workshops at an academy school in Birmingham - reaching 300 young people in one day.
Amicus Speaker event – Professor Jim Marcus from the University of Texas School of Law
Kennedys became a law firm affiliate partner of Amicus this year and is supporting the work of the charity, not only in the UK but also in the US and EMEA.
On 5 November, Kennedys hosted a speaker event with Amicus Executive Director Margot Ravenscroft and Senior Casework Manager, Diana Rescaldani. We heard from long-time supporter of Amicus, Professor Jim Marcus, Clinic Professor and Co-Director of the Capital Punishment Clinic at University of Texas. With a wealth of experience and knowledge throughout all aspects of capital defence, Professor Marcus shared his unique insight on the issues surrounding the death penalty in Texas and the US, and the importance of pro bono work in this area. Jim’s words clearly inspired a call to action, with the project seeing a 50% increase in volunteer sign-ups from colleagues across our UK, US and EMEA regions after the event.
Greater Manchester Pro Bono Awards 2025
From global to local reach, on Thursday 6 November, we were pleased to attend the Greater Manchester Pro Bono Awards, where we celebrated the pro bono activity of individuals, law firms, chambers, educational institutions and third sector organisations.
Now in it’s second year, the Awards showcase the breadth and impact of pro bono work taking place in the region. The event highlighted the power of pro bono – which included students from Manchester Metropolitan University recovering over £300,000 for clients and 23ES Chambers dedicating its entire Business and Property team to the Manchester CLIPS scheme.
Kennedys was delighted to be able to sponsor this year’s event with Emma Blackstone, Pro Bono Manager, judging three of the Award categories.
UK Pro Bono Week may be over for another year but the development of our pro bono programme continues. You can read more about the programme here. If you would like to explore collaboration and partnership opportunities, please contact emma.blackstone@kennedyslaw.com.
United Kingdom