Working Hours: Full time or part time; flexible working considered within the firm’s agile working framework. Minimum FTE: 0.8
Contract Term: 13 months
Reports to: Responsible Business Partner
Team: Responsible Business
The role
The Head of Pro Bono leads the firm’s pro bono practice and supports the Responsible Business Partner in increasing the firm’s positive impact. The role combines strategic leadership with the practical oversight of a safe, high-quality and sustainable pro bono programme.
Working with the Responsible Business Partner, the Board and colleagues across the firm, the Head of Pro Bono develops and delivers priorities that reflect the firm’s Responsible Business aims and wider strategy. The balance of the role may evolve over time, including the management of pro bono matters, the development of partnerships and projects, engagement with clients, and raising the profile and impact of the practice.
Key responsibilities
Strategy, governance and impact
- Develop and implement the firm’s pro bono strategy with the Responsible Business Partner, translating agreed priorities into a clear and deliverable pro bono practice.
- Providing overall leadership, management, coordination and strategic vision for pro bono at Farrers.
- Provide strategic advice, regular reporting and practical recommendations to the Responsible Business Partner and the Board on the performance, risks, resourcing and impact of the pro bono practice.
- Develop proportionate approaches to impact measurement to evaluate the outcomes and value of the firm’s pro bono work, using those insights to strengthen and enhance the pro bono practice.
- Act as an ambassador for the firm and actively champion a culture of service, integrity and social responsibility.
Pro bono matters, legal quality and risk
- Oversee the intake, triage and scoping of proposed pro bono matters, applying sound judgement to eligibility, conflicts, regulatory requirements, legal need, risk, capacity and appropriate allocation.
- Ensure that pro bono matters are opened, supervised, resourced, managed and closed in accordance with the firm’s protocols, Business and Service Standards and regulatory obligations, working closely with matter fee earners, client partners, practice area managers, departmental managing partners and the Risk team.
- Maintain effective policies, precedents, templates and approval processes for the pro bono practice, responding appropriately to relevant legal, regulatory and sector developments.
- Where appropriate, lead or actively supervise key pro bono matters. Where needed, work with the relevant practice area to secure specialist input or continuity of supervision.
- Provide clear, practical advice to clients.
Partnerships, clients and external profile
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with charities, non-governmental organisations, community groups, non-profits and other access-to-justice organisations.
- Where appropriate, identify suitable opportunities for collaborative pro bono work with clients, supporting strong client relationships and the firm’s business development strategy.
- Represent the firm in relevant pro bono networks, alliances, working groups, consultations and sector collaborations, including the UK Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono.
- Work with Business Development and Marketing colleagues on appropriate pitches, case studies, awards, presentations, thought leadership and other communications, ensuring that the firm’s contribution and the work of colleagues are recognised accurately and appropriately.
- Maintain accurate information in the firm’s relationship management system.
Leadership, engagement and capability
- Build effective cross-disciplinary teams for pro bono projects, including work requiring coordination across departments or offices.
- Work closely with practice area managers, departmental managing partners, partners, fee earners and Business Services colleagues to secure appropriate supervision, participation and resources.
- Promote fair and effective allocation of pro bono opportunities across the firm and proactively address gaps in capacity or supervision.
- Champion participation in pro bono work and build internal understanding, engagement and pride in the programme.
- Provide supervision, mentoring and skills development for lawyers undertaking pro bono work, particularly those taking on a type of matter for the first time. Give clear direction, realistic timeframes and constructive feedback.
- Plan and support training, knowledge-sharing and learning initiatives, including contributions to the Knowledge Centre and the firm’s Learn.Know.Grow programme.
- Manage the Responsible Business and Pro Bono Paralegal and manage recruitment for that role as required.
Budget, resources and operations
- Agree the annual pro bono budget with the Responsible Business Partner and the Board, and manage resources, recruitment and costs to support delivery and impact.
- Monitor time recording, hours, costs and other relevant management information, using it to support reporting, matter evaluation and resource planning.
- Promote efficient working and review the operation of the practice with the Responsible Business Partner to ensure that it remains effective and appropriately resourced.
- Balance high standards of legal work and client service with timely delivery, clear communication and effective presentation.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- A qualified lawyer in the United Kingdom or a comparable jurisdiction, with strong legal judgement and excellent drafting and advisory skills.
- Substantial experience of pro bono work or programme leadership in a law firm, including the development and oversight of pro bono initiatives.
- A strong understanding of the legal needs of underserved communities and the ethical, regulatory, eligibility, conflicts and risk-management requirements relevant to pro bono practice.
- Knowledge of social justice, access to justice, charity law, charity governance, non-governmental organisation regulation or other areas commonly arising in pro bono work, together with the ability to identify when specialist advice is required.
- Proven ability to triage cross-disciplinary matters, scope work appropriately and bring together the right legal and operational expertise.
- Strong programme, project and people management skills, with the ability to set priorities, manage competing demands and deliver through others.
- Experience of building trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders, clients and external partners.
- Clear and persuasive written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate the impact and value of pro bono work without overstating it.
- Experience of managing budgets, resources and management information, and of using evidence to support decisions and reporting.
- Experience of supervising, developing or managing lawyers or other team members in a collaborative and inclusive way.
- A genuine commitment to social justice, equality, public service and the firm’s values, vision and strategy.
- Empathy, cultural awareness and sound judgement when working with people and organisations facing hardship or disadvantage.
- Calmness and resilience when handling pressure, competing priorities or emotionally challenging subject matter.
- A collegiate, practical and supportive approach, with strong listening skills and a willingness to solve problems jointly.
- Integrity, discretion and consistently high ethical and professional standards.
- Confidence to make decisions, raise concerns and tackle issues promptly and constructively.
- An inclusive and fair approach to recruitment, development, work allocation and day-to-day working relationships.
- Openness to feedback, professional reflection and continuous learning.
- Flexibility and willingness to contribute to wider firm activities where this supports the role and the firm’s objectives.
Wider contribution
The role is expected to contribute to relevant firm-wide activity beyond the core pro bono programme. This may include recruitment, business development, knowledge management, equity, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, and other environmental, social or governance initiatives, according to firm priorities and available capacity.
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive. It outlines the general scope and expectations of the role, but additional tasks may be assigned as necessary to meet the needs of the firm.
Join us for the journey
Farrer & Co is synonymous with the highest quality legal advice and service.
We advise individuals, families, businesses, financial services, educational and not-for-profit organisations on every aspect of the law, wherever the need arises. From our offices in London we work with trusted professionals around the world to deliver a seamless international service.
Our clients present us with complex and varied challenges. Whether that’s a complicated family trust issue, a multinational corporate transaction, or an emerging threat to their reputation, they need clear thinkers who can advise on the best solutions, fast thinkers when speed is of the essence and agile thinkers who can produce a fresh approach to get the job done. That’s why they choose us.
Our clients value our in-depth knowledge, technical excellence and diversity of disciplines. But what really binds our long‑standing relationships with them is our approach: pragmatic, plain speaking and always steadfast in our values, which we hold dear. Values which mean we gain our clients’ trust, always strive to do the right thing, and aim for the best results for them.
Superb client service sits at the heart of everything we do. We are modern lawyers with timeless values.
farrer.co.uk/join-us
What we offer
A career with us offers the chance to be part of a firm that values its people as much as its clients. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, you’ll find opportunities to contribute, collaborate, and develop in an environment where traditional values and innovation work side by side. We offer:
- A culture where people come first
- Opportunities to develop and grow your career
- Flexible working options – we welcome applications across a variety of working patterns
- An agile working policy, with a minimum of 40% of your working pattern in the office
Careers – What we offer | Farrer & Co
Our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, and we recruit based on merit, potential, and the value each person brings to our team.
We actively encourage applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also welcome applications from neurodiverse candidates and are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
Recruitment process
All offers of employment are subject to standard pre-employment checks. These may include, but are not limited to, verification of qualifications, right to work, employment references and background checks.
Special aspects
The firm is happy to discuss flexible working. The role may be undertaken full time or part time, subject to the needs of the role and the firm’s agile working framework. Farrer & Co operates an agile working framework under which members of the firm are expected to spend at least 40% of their working hours in the office. This is a minimum expectation: individuals may elect or be asked or expected to work more frequently in the office.
A responsible business
At Farrer & Co, conducting business responsibly is fundamental to who we are. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and partnership runs through every corner of the firm, guiding both our client work and our broader impact on society.
Our vision is clear: to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and make a meaningful impact through the work we do with our clients and in our communities.
Responsible Business | Farrer & Co
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