Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s work with the Haringey Law Centre (HLC) in London has won the Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership category at the LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards.

The HLC was threatened with closure in 2016 following the withdrawal of public funding. Recognising the vital contribution of the centre to the local community, Debevoise approached the HLC to find out how best to help.

The result was the training of a group of Debevoise’s London lawyers to support the HLC to keep its disability benefits service going.

Since the project began, Debevoise’s lawyers have been attending HLC’s office in Tottenham to interview Haringey residents who approach HLC about a disability benefits matter, and then assisting those residents to fight and win their appeals. So far, more than 650 hours of pro bono advice has been provided to the project by Debevoise lawyers, resulting in a success rate of 83% in the cases undertaken.

The LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards recognise and celebrate achievement in legal pro bono undertaken by organisations and individuals, and the dedication and commitment of the legal sector to positively impact individuals and communities.

The awards judges commended Debevoise and the HLC for being “both inventive and resilient” and for providing “a high quality much-needed service for local people”.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.