Deadline for entering JLD pro bono awards looming

The Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) has made a fresh appeal for its members to submit their nominations for its 10th annual pro bono awards 2008.

The event has been designed to recognise associates, trainees and students who have provided free legal services to the community in the UK and abroad.

As an added bonus to being publicly recognised for their work, winners of each category will also receive discretionary cash prizes of up to 1,000 to support their pro bono projects.

Awards organiser Kevin Poulter, who is also a Walker Morris associate and JLD executive committee member, says it is vital that all nominations are in by the 19 September 2008 deadline.

This year is our 10th anniversary and were hoping to get a record number of nominations. We dont want people to be put off nominating themselves just because they dont want to appear self-congratulating, said Poulter.

If people think theyve made a significant contribution to the law then theyre welcome to nominate themselves for an award. It can be a small or large contribution, even if it be helping an old lady to stay in her home right up to making a significant contribution to
international law - anyone can enter, added Poulter.

The following prize categories are open for nominations: solicitor active in UK-based local projects; solicitor active in international projects; team of solicitors active in UK-based or international projects; pro bono trainee or trainee team of the year; and pro bono student or student team of the year.

Last year Francesca Debenham scooped the in house gong, Fflur Jones came away with a small firm award and Jared Genser was presented with a large firm award. Katie Hutt was given a trainee award, while Tariq Al-Mallak scooped the student category and a group from Lovells won best team of young solicitors.

The awards are open to the entire JLD membership, which includes LPC students, trainee solicitors and solicitors up to five years qualified.

The closing date for nominations is 19 September 2008 and nomination forms can be downloaded from the JLD website juniorlawyers.lawsociety.org.uk.

The awards ceremony will take place on 13 November 2008 during National Pro Bono Week.