Supporting and Empowering Clients in Distress – Pro Bono Week 2024

Join this unique hybrid panel event for volunteer lawyers taking place during Pro Bono Week 2024 hosted by the National Pro Bono Centre, in collaboration with LawWorks and Advocate. Listen to our inspirational speakers share their personal journeys on supporting and empowering vulnerable clients including adapting ways of communicating with clients in distress and trauma informed lawyering, wellbeing strategies and boundary setting. We are delighted that Rebecca Wilkie, CEO of Advocate, will be moderating the event.

Registration and welcome drink from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. The panel discussion will run from 7-8pm with Q&As to round off followed by a valuable opportunity for networking over drinks and nibbles, finishing by 9pm.

We are very grateful to Sidley Austin for hosting this event.

Online attendees will be emailed a link to join the event nearer the time.

Speakers:

District Judge Lynda Nightingale
Ollie Persey, Barrister
Rebecca Norris, Barrister, Co-founder of Trauma Informed Law
Naga Kandiah, Solicitor
Louise McCarthy, Pro Bono Counsel

Any questions please email wendy@probonoweek.org.uk or Emily esherratt@nationalprobonocentre.org.uk

Meet the speakers

Lynda Nightingale

Lynda started her career with a City Law firm. As a newly qualified solicitor she established the firm’s first pro bono advice scheme, working with a Law Centre to set up an evening advice surgery to assist those struggling to get free legal help. Social welfare law lured Lynda away from the corporate world and she spent fifteen years working as a housing solicitor, firstly in a high street legal aid practice and then in a law centre. Lynda became a deputy district judge in 2003 and a full-time district judge in 2008. Lynda now spends her days hearing cases in the county and family court in Guildford, seeing, on a daily basis, litigants who have had no access to legal advice, who have no representation or support and many of whom are very vulnerable. She has worked as a course tutor for the Judicial College producing the first training module for judges in ‘open justice’ focussing on the needs of litigants in person. Lynda is the litigant in person liaison judge for Surrey.

Naga Kandiah

Naga Kandiah is a solicitor specialising in immigration and human rights law. Known for his tireless dedication to promoting human rights and advocating for migrant communities, he has received numerous accolades for his work. He often takes on complex pro bono cases, representing vulnerable clients, such as survivors of domestic violence and descendants of Windrush migrants. His commitment to his clients and the protection of their rights is evident in his hands-on approach, going above and beyond to achieve positive outcomes. His passion for justice and equality continues to drive his legal practice, making a significant impact in his field.

Louise McCarthy, Pro Bono Counsel, Sidley Austin LLP

Louise McCarthy is a Pro Bono Counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, based in the firm’s London office. Sidley’s pro bono program in London focuses on tackling barriers to access to justice, and volunteers participate in several access to justice projects which aim to bridge the gap that is continually widening for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Louise was previously an associate in the London office’s litigation practice, during which time she oversaw the welfare benefits appeals project, and she continues to work on these cases as part of her now full time pro bono practice.

Oliver Persey, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers

Ollie is a public law and human rights barrister at Garden Court Chambers. He is ranked in Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. Ollie won the Legal Aid Newcomer Award at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards 2024, and was a finalist for a ‘Junior of the Year’ award at the Legal 500 Awards 2022 for his work in his core practice areas. He is a member of the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s panel of preferred counsel.

Rebecca Norris, Coach, Consultant, Barrister, Co-founder, Trauma Informed Law

Rebecca is a certified coach, consultant and practising barrister. She specialises in training and supporting individuals, teams and businesses navigating trauma, distress, heightened emotions and overwhelm in connection with the legal system. With over 14 years of London-based legal experience, she has diverse experiences of supporting vulnerable clients - ranging from working in prisons with complex trauma-based behaviours to advising board-level commercial executives on the cusp of burnout. She has observed, and experienced, the profound impact that pressure, overwhelm, and trauma can cause, both personally and professionally. She is passionate about the need for trauma-informed practice in order to advance the safety and integrity of our legal system. Rebecca runs Coyra Coaching (coyra.co.uk) and co-founded Trauma Informed Law (traumainformedlaw.co.uk). Please visit the websites for further details of support available within all legal practice areas.

Supporting & Empowering Clients in Distress