Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys recognised for pro bono contributions
Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys have been recognised on the Pro Bono Recognition List of England and Wales for the first time.
Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys and Patent Attorneys are among the record number of 5,550 lawyers in England and Wales included on the list for dedication to pro bono over the last year.
The list, published annually by The Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, recognises lawyers who have contributed 25 hours or more of pro bono legal assistance over the past year to help people who might otherwise not be able to afford legal support.
Click here to access the full list
We spoke to some of the Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys who are on this year’s list.
Selina Chan, a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at Addleshaw Goddard LLP said: “Engaging in pro bono work enriches my professional experience and broadens my perspective.
“I get a lot of satisfaction when I can see the impact of my work in helping the organisations or individuals I work with come closer to, or achieve their goals. It also reinforces a sense of pride not only in the work I do but also in my firm for their commitment to pro bono work.”
Thomas Hooper, a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at Bird & Bird LLP said: “At Bird & Bird, Alessandra Naia, Lauren Ensign, and I have dedicated decent parts of our practices to supporting organisations that could not otherwise access specialist IP advice. Many were organisations doing genuinely important work in their communities but without the resources to instruct a trade mark specialist.
“Pro bono means we can provide real, meaningful help - substantive, high-quality trade mark advice that makes a genuine difference to the people receiving it.”
Heather Donald, a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at Fry Heath & Spence LLP said: “We are based outside of London and it is lovely to be able to have an impact in our local area.
“The impact we can have for these individuals and small organisations is very important. Having worked in the profession for over 25 years I very much enjoy giving back my time and providing this advice.”
CITMA Vice-President Daniel Hardman-Smart and CIPA President Simon Wright commented:
“We are delighted to see patent and trade mark attorneys joining the Pro Bono Recognition List this year.
“Our members have a longstanding history of supporting organisations with pro bono advice on protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights, and joining this list cements that commitment to making specialist advice available to all.
“Pro bono is a vital part of the legal landscape and we look forward to this recognition inspiring even more of our members to offer their expertise.”
Commenting on the publication of the Recognition List, its Patron Baroness Carr, The Lady Chief Justice, said:
“The lawyers recognised on the List follow the long tradition of the legal profession in volunteering their time to provide free legal assistance to individuals and charities.
“I hope that recognition on the List encourages the legal profession to continue its commitment to providing pro bono help to those in need.”
The Steering Group of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee is responsible for the Recognition List. The Committee was established in 2002, and brings together representatives of the legal profession, pro bono charities & initiatives, law schools and the advice sector to share information, to discuss challenges and planned initiatives, and to provide a forum to work together.