Double Win in LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2019

Pro bono projects involving Dechert lawyers have been named winners in two categories at the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2019. LawWorks, a UK charity that connects volunteer lawyers with people in need of legal advice, established the awards to celebrate outstanding achievement in the pro bono legal sector.

In the “Best International Pro Bono Award” category, Dechert was named winner for the work of an international pro bono team led by London partner Paul Kavanagh and Paris-based national partner Marie Fillon in helping win the release of Mohammed Ould Mkhaitir, a Mauritanian blogger condemned to death for apostasy. The representation of Mkhaitir formed part of Dechert’s wider partnership with Freedom Now, a Washington, D.C.-based human rights organization chaired by Dechert partner Jeremy Zucker that seeks the release of prisoners of conscience around the world.

Dechert was also honored for its part in the multi-firm BID Exceptional Case Funding Project that was named winner in the “Best New Pro Bono Activity” category. In the wake of the Windrush scandal that highlighted mistreatment of Caribbean immigrants in the United Kingdom, a London-based pro bono team worked with Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) and three other law firms to secure funding to cover the legal costs of particularly vulnerable clients who faced deportation.

Winners of the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2019 were recognized at an awards ceremony presented by Lady Hale, President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, on December 3 at the Law Society in London.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 26 offices around the world. We advise on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.