Recognition for leading Law Firm with Socially Responsible Ethos

Colchester law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP has received yet another accolade in recognition for its pro bono legal services.

Lawyers from Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP were presented with a ‘highly commended’ award in the category of ‘Pro Bono Company of the Year’ by Business in the Community Awards 2008.  The acclamation was given for services undertaken by the firm’s Lawyers for Young People ‘LFYP’ project that was set up in January 2006 as a specialist legal service offering advice to vulnerable young people, particularly children and young people in care, those leaving care and unable to access statutory services.

The celebrations were held at a prestigious Gala Dinner held at Audley End House, Saffron Waldon.  The event was attended by over 200 guests representing six counties across the Region.

Solicitor and Project Leader Liz Fisher-Frank said: “We have worked tirelessly for the last couple of years to improve access to the law for vulnerable young people and to raise awareness both locally and nationally of the problems some isolated young people face in accessing legal advice.  We have focused on developing different ways of providing legal services to this group. Our work in providing such services and raising awareness of issues has been unfunded and we have only been able to do this with the support of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP. As well as accessing advise from us, our clients have also benefited from having direct access to the large range of social welfare expertise within FJG in areas  such as housing, welfare benefits, education, crime, family, community care, employment, personal injury and human rights. This is a key factor in this service as young peoples problems are rarely about just one isolated issue.”

Senior Partner, Tony Fisher, said: “Fisher Jones Greenwood remains committed to social welfare related work at a time when it is increasingly difficult to maintain it. The interest nationally and locally in LFYP has been a very positive recognition for the firm of the importance of the development of new and different legal services, particularly for the most vulnerable.”

 

Photograph courtesy of Hannah Redshaw and Andy Laithwaite (from left to right): LFYP team Deborah Mauger, Simone Surgenor and Liz Fisher-Frank (Project Leader) receiving their certificate.