Community investment

Community Investment
In 2010, Herbert Smith invested over £3 million in cash, time and in-kind support to the wider community.
We operate a number of projects, in the UK and internationally, in support of a diverse range of individuals and community groups. These include staffing a law centre in Whitechapel, east London, advice for litigants-in-person at the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Bureau, capital and non-capital cases work for clients imprisoned in parts of the Caribbean, advocacy for individuals appealing to the employment tribunal and case management support for the human rights charity Fair Trials International.

Recent highlights include establishing an advocacy rota representing clients at the Asylum Support Appeals Tribunal (together with two other law firms this project won Pro Bono Team of the year at The Lawyer Awards 2011).  In addition, in 2011 Herbert Smith launched a groundbreaking new free legal assistance facility for the Government of Sierra Leone, designed to help build legal capacity within the government.  This facility involved us seconding a senior associate to work within the Sierra Leone Attorney General's office and committing to offering free legal advice across a range of practice areas for a period of at least one year. 

Our employee volunteering programme includes literacy, numeracy, French and Spanish, and chess partners for local primary and secondary schoolchildren.  Our volunteers also take part in mentoring programmes designed to support the personal development of young people and prepare them for the world of work. 

In 2010 we launched our own scholarship scheme – Networked.  Networked is an innovative five year scholarship scheme that provides experience, financial support and guidance to talented local students from year 12 who aspire to a career in the law or a related discipline. 

The firm is also a founder of PRIME – a commitment to ensure fair and equal access to quality work experience in the real world of work, where people can gain valuable experience to use in their lives and future careers.  For more information see www.primecommitment.org

All Herbert Smith employees are entitled to at least 24 hours per year to volunteer for our community investment programme and close to 50% of our people participate every year.