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Pro Bono Week 2021- Get Involved
Pro Bono Week 2021 is fast approaching; this year it will take place from the 1st to 5th November 2021. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Pro Bono Week. The events and campaigns taking place throughout the week will provide a fantastic opportunity to exhibit and appreciate the longstanding commitment of the legal profession in providing free legal help to those in need.
Pro bono is vital to making sure that everyone has access to justice, but it is also a key tool in professional development and wellbeing for lawyers, as well as playing a role in staff recruitment and retention.
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Events in Birmingham.
The Birmingham Law Society Pro Bono Committee are holding two events this year and members of the legal community are invited to both.
Why not come and visit us in Cathedral Square over lunchtime to find out what Pro Bono work is happening in Birmingham? You will find us there in Pro Bono Week at the following times: • Monday 11:30 – 14:30 • Wednesday 11:30 – 14:30 • Thursday 10:30 – 13:30 • Friday 11:30 – 14:00 Alternatively, the Committee invites you to an evening of Celebrating Achievements and Looking To The Future, with examples of great Pro Bono work already happening in the city and asking what the next 20 years should look like for Pro Bono. This event will be held at Gowling WLG. Refreshments and an opportunity to network will be followed by presentations from guest speakers.
Invitations will be sent to anyone on the Birmingham Law Society mailing list, or for more information please email: probono@ birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
National Events
Resources and updates are available on the Pro Bono Week website, where you can also find plenty of event ideas and tips. Plan your event now and get it added to the national calendar online by emailing mary@probonoweek.org.uk.
If you want tips on a specific event you would like to host, or details on campaigns you can join, do get in touch via the above email and we would be happy to advise. For the latest updates make sure you follow Pro Bono Week on Twitter and LinkedIn.
BIRMINGHAM HOUSING SOLICITOR APPOINTED AS DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGE MIDLANDS
Helen Tucker has been appointed a deputy district judge (DDJ) for the Midlands Circuit. Tucker, who is a partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS), will start sitting part-time in county courts in the Midlands’ circuit from early 2022.
DDJs deal with a wide spectrum of civil cases including, housing, personal injury, claims for money, divorce and domestic violence matters. Tucker will remain an active partner in ACS’s housing management team, co-leading the social purpose law firm’s housing litigation service supporting housing associations and local authorities in the delivery of their housing management operations.
Tucker follows in the footsteps of Rankeshwar Batta, partner who is currently a deputy district judge on the North West Circuit and Sarah Huntbach, Senior Associate who sits as an assistant coroner.
Helen Tucker, incoming deputy district judge and partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “I’m hugely honoured to be appointed as a deputy district judge for the Midlands Circuit. I’m looking forward to drawing on the experience I’ve gained at ACS over the years and learning a great deal more in this new role.”
Tucker was appointed by the Lord Chancellor after a fair and open competition administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission. The appointment is for five years and can be automatically extended by the Lord Chancellor for further successive terms of five years – subject to the office holder’s agreement and the retirement age of 70.
Peter Hubbard, senior partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “On behalf of everyone at ACS, we’d like to congratulate Helen on her appointment as a deputy district judge. We are proud to support our staff and partners who pursue part-time judicial roles and recognise the importance of doing so to support the administration of justice by our court service and judiciary.”
NEWS
International law firm Trowers & Hamlins is celebrating its 10 year anniversary for the firms Birmingham office.
Since opening the Birmingham office in July 2011, Trowers & Hamlins has built broad expertise and deep relationships across the business community, in both private and public sectors. Now with a team of over 100 people, the office has established itself in many new and innovative projects and initiatives amongst businesses and charities alike.
Recently the Birmingham office has been recognised for its commitment to innovation in the West Midlands having advised on pioneering 5G technology that has helped to establish the region as one of the hubs for technology in the UK as well as being involved in visionary projects such as HS2.
Head of the Birmingham office, Yetunde Dania [pictured in red dress at front of pic with colleagues] commented:
"It has been wonderful to see how much the Birmingham office has grown and developed over the last 10 years. When we first moved to Colmore Row, we did so with the intention of establishing ourselves not only in the legal sector but also in the community itself. I take great pride in saying that ethos is still at the core of what we do at the office as we continue to establish ourselves further across many different platforms.
We have maintained a strong growth in number of new hires, celebrating true diversity and inclusion, alongside many promotions, most recently welcoming Moad Giebaly into the partnership.
Our growth over the course of the last 10 years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the teams which make up the office and I'd like to thank everybody for their commitment as we continue on our journey of expanding our business across the region."
To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Birmingham office the firm have developed a YouTube campaign and a podcast series that focuses on future innovation, highlights key moments along the journey and experiences shared by those from the office as well as showcasing client success stories.
Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS) has appointed a new partner to its social housing property team. Andrew Dudley joins ACS from Wright Hassall LLP where he was head of social housing, specialising in property development and stock transfer for housing associations.
While undertaking his own caseload, Dudley will also focus on developing the social purpose law firm’s property team and client base, which includes The Riverside Group and Citizen Housing Group.
Dudley brings over 40 years legal experience to ACS, spanning roles as partner at Wright Hassall LLP and Shakespeare Martineau. Dudley specialises in supporting housing associations and local authorities on matters including land acquisition, development, sale and rental.
Throughout his career so far, Dudley has successfully developed and negotiated the first insurance policy to support environmental liabilities in stock transfers. This is alongside supporting the transfer of 50,000 homes between local authorities and housing associations.
Andrew Dudley, partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors said: “With social purpose at the core of its approach, Anthony Collins Solicitors is leading on a number of landmark property projects, enabling the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing and improving lives, communities and society.
“The firm is at an exciting point in its growth journey. I’m looking forward to helping build the property team and bolstering the services we can provide to our clients across the UK.”
Dudley’s appointment follows other recent lateral hires joining ACS’ Manchester office, with Suzanne Gregson and Tom Starkey leaving regional firms in the North West to join ACS. This is alongside three internal partner appointments by ACS of David Evison, Emma Hardman and Sarah Patrice.
Jonathan Cox, Head of Social Housing at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “Andrew’s arrival is one of a number of ways we are growing the firm’s housing team.”
