Some, however, may consider helping others as their challenge for 2010. There is no shortage of opportunities to do so; LawWorks, for example, thrives on such solicitors, and City law firms, like Clifford Chance, are recognised for their staff emphasis on corporate responsibility at home and abroad.
Newly qualified (NQ) lawyers in City firms may feel that they have little to offer here, facing as they do changing retention rates, salary freezes, and increased uncertainty.
Yet one initiative launched by Advocates for International Development (A4ID) in partnership with Challenges Worldwide (CWW), deserves attention from NQs. At a well-attended launch at CMS Cameron McKenna’s offices, delegates at the evening session heard about the launch of the Newly Qualified Lawyers' Programme.
The programme provides a bespoke range of mini-secondments which enable NQs to work with disadvantaged communities across the developing world.
It provides in-country placements in Africa, India, and South America, with local charities and community groups, designed to fit within qualification leave, and tailored to suit NQs.
As A4ID’s cheerful Executive Organiser, Katie Hutt, said: ‘We provide a great opportunity for junior lawyers to use qualification leave constructively – experiencing life as a lawyer in a completely different context.’
The meeting heard from participants on the programme how their fellow NQs were given the opportunity to work on groundbreaking legislation, promoting international best practice, comparative legal research, and advocacy.
With representatives from Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, and Herbert Smith all having previously taken part, major law firms have been happy to back the projects, ranging from safeguarding labour rights in India, to assisting women’s rights in Tanzania, to drafting a new Mental Health Act for Belize.
As Christine Li of Lovells commented, her first images of Belize were of: ‘Sun. Blue sky. Palm trees. Beaches. Mayan ruins’.
Her placement was more compelling than such superficial attractions; ‘Belize is also a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation, and forced labour’.
During her placement, she worked on a case supporting the victims of human trafficking to claim compensation for unpaid wages and significant abuses of rights.
It’s clear that the placements are designed to stretch the NQs involved. As Daliah Haughton, Operations Manager of CWW, added:
‘Participants work in a context entirely different to their own, where culture, working practices, pressures and opportunities all call for them to adopt fresh approaches to solving problems.’
Ruth Millar, an NQ at Herbert Smith who took part in the programme in India, agreed, calling it a ‘fantastic experience’:
‘Not only did I feel that my work was interesting and important, I could really make a difference by bringing my skills to the table.’
Perhaps, then, this is one resolution worth keeping for NQs – to do good by themselves and others.
Ben Rigby
Ben Rigby is a freelance legal journalist, having previously worked as a staff reporter on 'Legal Business' and 'In-House Lawyer' magazines, as well as Bar Editor of the Legal 500 UK. A non-practicing solicitor, he has worked in general practice in Essex and Kent, as well as at the Law Society of England & Wales and the Ministry of Defence.
He is a Past President of the European Young Bar Association and a Past Chairman of the London Young Solicitors Group. Ben has written regularly about issues that affect young lawyers in the EYBA’s magazine, Eurolawyer, as well as for TSG Life, London Lawyer, and YSG Magazine.
It provides in-country placements in Africa, India, and South America, with local charities and community groups, designed to fit within qualification leave, and tailored to suit NQs.
As A4ID’s cheerful Executive Organiser, Katie Hutt, said: ‘We provide a great opportunity for junior lawyers to use qualification leave constructively – experiencing life as a lawyer in a completely different context.’
The meeting heard from participants on the programme how their fellow NQs were given the opportunity to work on groundbreaking legislation, promoting international best practice, comparative legal research, and advocacy.
With representatives from Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, and Herbert Smith all having previously taken part, major law firms have been happy to back the projects, ranging from safeguarding labour rights in India, to assisting women’s rights in Tanzania, to drafting a new Mental Health Act for Belize.
As Christine Li of Lovells commented, her first images of Belize were of: ‘Sun. Blue sky. Palm trees. Beaches. Mayan ruins’.
Her placement was more compelling than such superficial attractions; ‘Belize is also a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation, and forced labour’.
During her placement, she worked on a case supporting the victims of human trafficking to claim compensation for unpaid wages and significant abuses of rights.
It’s clear that the placements are designed to stretch the NQs involved. As Daliah Haughton, Operations Manager of CWW, added:
‘Participants work in a context entirely different to their own, where culture, working practices, pressures and opportunities all call for them to adopt fresh approaches to solving problems.’
Ruth Millar, an NQ at Herbert Smith who took part in the programme in India, agreed, calling it a ‘fantastic experience’:
‘Not only did I feel that my work was interesting and important, I could really make a difference by bringing my skills to the table.’
Perhaps, then, this is one resolution worth keeping for NQs – to do good by themselves and others.
Ben Rigby
Ben Rigby is a freelance legal journalist, having previously worked as a staff reporter on 'Legal Business' and 'In-House Lawyer' magazines, as well as Bar Editor of the Legal 500 UK. A non-practicing solicitor, he has worked in general practice in Essex and Kent, as well as at the Law Society of England & Wales and the Ministry of Defence.
He is a Past President of the European Young Bar Association and a Past Chairman of the London Young Solicitors Group. Ben has written regularly about issues that affect young lawyers in the EYBA’s magazine, Eurolawyer, as well as for TSG Life, London Lawyer, and YSG Magazine.
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study abroad
Posted by: jessica | Wednesday, 10 March 2010 at 10:22 AM
Doing good work abroad is good for anyone who happens to be abroad. The good work goes beyond self-gratification, but a feeling of positive contribution to humanity in general.
Posted by: Study | Sunday, 08 August 2010 at 08:47 AM