Seven lawyers from McGuireWoods’ London office were named to the Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales on April 7, 2025. Now in its second year, the list, an honor supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council and all major pro bono organizations with the support of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, is under the patronage of The Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill.
Partners Daniel Peyton, Callum Hassall, Karl Hemingway, Simon Hems and William Boddy; and associates Hannah Irish and Rend Beresford were recognized for their commitment to providing at least 25 hours of pro bono legal advice in 2024.
“This recognition reflects the firm’s ongoing dedication to supporting access to justice for individuals and charitable organizations in need,” said partner Francesca Titus, who co-chairs McGuireWoods London’s pro bono efforts along with Hassall.
“It builds on the incredible milestone of having 100% of our London lawyers participate in pro bono initiatives in 2024,” Hassall added.
The co-chairs also expressed the hope that inclusion on this distinguished list will further inspire members of the legal profession to dedicate their time and skill to pro bono work.
Examples of the office’s recent pro bono projects include:
- Advising a women’s social networking organization made up of around 500 clubs and 10,000 members on incorporation issues and all elements of its formation process, including drafting its constitution.
- Supporting the residents of a 900-unit local council estate as they seek to resolve widespread issues with water damage and mold in their homes.
- Supporting a social enterprise community interest company with the lease of its new premises. The company supplies ethically sourced office supplies and coffee, and 100% of their profits go toward supporting the most vulnerable in society, particularly those with dementia or issues relating to homelessness.
- Supporting a collective of artists who formed the UK’s first experimental theatre company in negotiating the leases for two office premises.
- Assisting an individual with the incorporation of a community interest company established to provide personal training and coaching services to vulnerable adults, and supported the client with a rent arrears dispute and negotiating a lease of gym space.
- Volunteering with BPP University Law School to supervise student case workers providing initial legal advice on areas of law including civil litigation, business consumer law and property law.