CitySolicitor


From Left to Right, Alasdair Douglas, Chairman of the City of London Law Society, Rebecca Sambrook, Melissa Hardee, President of the City of Westminster & Holborn Law


Society and Martin Roberts, Master of the City of London Solicitors’ Company.


Wig & Pen Prize 2012


This year’s Wig & Pen Prize for pro bono work recognised the outstanding achievements of Rebecca Sambrook of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. The Wig & Pen Prize is awarded jointly by the City of London Law Society and the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society and this year’s presentation was made at the City of London Solicitors’ Company Livery Dinner at Drapers’ Hall.


The Prize (comprising the silver Wig & Pen Ink stand and £1,000 for the winner’s charity) is awarded to individual solicitors, up to five years qualified who practice in the areas of City of London and City of Westminster and Holborn Law Societies, who judges feel have made a significant contribution to the quality of justice in their communities and in helping to ensure that the legal system is open and available to all. In particular, the judges consider the length of time involved in giving free legal advice to people who have otherwise failed to obtain access to justice and the significance of the candidate’s service to their clients and their community.


The Judges chose Rebecca Sambrook of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP as this year’s winner, for her outstanding work with a number of organisations tackling homelessness.


Rebecca began her involvement in this area as a trainee, when she volunteered at Tower Hamlets Law Centre giving pro bono housing advice. This led to a full time,


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pro bono secondment with the Centre’s Housing Team for three months.


Since qualification in 2011, Rebecca has been involved in tackling local authorities’ failure to offer adequate help to homeless 16 and 17 year olds. In conjunction with the Law Centres Network, Rebecca has managed a team which has reviewed the joint working protocols of over 130 local authorities to ensure proper treatment of vulnerable young people. Rebecca is continuing this pioneering and strategic work with the Law Centres Network, to encourage good practice and improve services for homeless young people across the country.


In addition, Rebecca has also recently joined the rota of volunteers representing destitute asylum seekers, who after a successful appeal have safe housing and basic support on the same day.


The City of London Law Society and the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society agreed unanimously that Rebecca deserved to win the Prize this year.


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