Pro Bono Work Helps Entrepreneur other Saver Her Business
January News Article #1
“Had they not helped me, I would have had to have thrown in the towel”
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Sarah, a new mother, having spent 15 years as a clothing designer, set out to start her own business designing and selling children’s pyjamas made from organic cotton grown and manufactured in Bangladesh. Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, Sarah developed her business’s brand. From logos, designs and a personalised website, Sarah did it all. She eventually settled on the name “Jammie Doodles” for her company and sought to trademark it. Little did she know that this choice would land her in legal hot water.
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An objection had been made by a well-known children’s shoe manufacturer against her trademark, placing her hard work, time, and monetary investment at risk. With little income to her name and fewer savings, Sarah found herself in the unenviable but all too common position of being unable to afford legal advice.
However, Sarah received free legal advice from the Aston Law Clinic, a member of the LawWorks network, in which students from Aston University law school, under the supervision of solicitors, provide free legal advice to start-ups, and charities.
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The Clinic provided Sarah with free legal advice, issuing a letter setting out her position to the shoe manufacturer’s lawyers.
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Upon further resistance, the Clinic helped Sarah find a small firm of solicitors prepared to work for her on a pro bono basis. The resulting negotiations saw the shoe manufacturer’s relent.
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Sarah’s ordeal demonstrates the vital importance of pro bono work in establishing and protecting small businesses in the dire times we currently live in. Moreover, the work of the Aston Law Clinic and the small firm that volunteered its time and resources, helped a mother and child in dire straits to obtain greater financial certainty. The lesson is clear, invaluable work brings about priceless outcomes.
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Source: https://www.lawworks.org.uk/about-us/case-studies/jammie-doodles
Written by Nathan Figureido
Pro Bono and the Cost of Living Crisis
January News Article #2
In our complex and unsettled social environment, punctured by the war in Ukraine, surging energy bills and increasing food and fuel prices, pro bono projects are increasingly important to support households in crisis.
Every law firm has had to adapt to the demanding current context. Some have opted to make a one-time payment to staff on lower salaries, whilst others are handing out bonus payments to all fee-earners. The provision of legal assistance to clients who are battling poverty issues has become more vital than ever before.
This article highlights the steps that Hogan Lovells are taking to respond to the cost of living crisis. Carry on reading to find out more!
How is Hogan Lovells responding to the Cost Of Living Crisis?
1) Introduction of an advisory clinic:
As part of its pro bono practice, Hogan Lovells has recently introduced a cost of living advisory clinic in partnership with the Westway Trust and St. Luke’s Community Trust.
The clinic offers appointments to help with the completion of welfare benefits forms, the evaluation of eligibility for household support funds and the exploration of grants available to clients.
These grants could include household benefits, council tax reductions and Thames Water Help. The pro bono service will also offer up advice on how to deal with energy bills.
Furthermore, lawyers are volunteering their time to challenge welfare benefit decisions and represent clients in welfare benefit appeals, creating a long-term positive impact on people’s lives.
The firm hopes to monitor the results of the pro bono initiative, in order to measure the impact of gender, race and income-level on welfare.
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2) Publishing accessible information on how the crisis will affect business:
Hogan Lovells have also published an article about the key issues surrounding the cost of living crisis for retail financial institutions on their Engage platform.
This resource provides insightful legal analysis which benefits its client organisations.
The law firm is anticipating an uptake in disputes, debt recovery, insolvency and fraud response work in the upcoming year as a result of the crisis.
3) Increase in LPC maintenance grant:
As well as the pro-bono initiatives on offer, Hogan Lovells has also increased its LPC maintenance grant by 25% to help its future trainees navigate their finances in these tricky financial times.
4) Investment in keeping the firm competitive:
As employees seek out increased salaries in response to rising food and fuel prices, Hogan Lovells is mitigating retention issues by keeping the firm competitive in the battle for legal talent.
Investment continues to be made in cutting-edge technology and the provision of specialised training to employees.
Moreover, in 2022 Hogan Lovells increased the base rate salary for newly qualified associates from £100,000 to £107,500. This puts them on equal terms with other Magic Circle Law Firms and incentivises new lawyers to join the firm.
To find out more, please check out the articles below:
https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/News/More-firms-hand-out-cost-of-living-bonuses-19072022