Full time 12 month contract as Interim Pro Bono Attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP.
This is a unique opportunity for an excellent lawyer to manage Skadden’s Pro Bono Practice in London on an interim basis, alongside supporting Skadden’s global pro bono team and local fee-earning lawyers with pro bono management across Skadden’s Europe and Asia Pacific offices. We are looking for a lawyer who has been actively engaged in a law firm pro bono practice, is passionate about social justice, and is a self-motivated leader.
Start date: September 2025. Skadden has a flexible working policy, and the successful candidate will work in the London office four days a week.
Pro bono is a core part of Skadden culture. Last year we were ranked joint #3 in ‘The Best Law Firms for UK Pro Bono’ by Law.Com.
Your responsibilities
- Responsibility for overall pro bono practice management in London, plus providing support to our global pro bono team and local fee-earning lawyers with pro bono management across Europe and Asia Pacific offices.
- Oversee our active pro bono clinics, casework, and projects, and provide support on issues that arise.
- Develop and strengthen existing firm relationships with NGOs referring pro bono opportunities to the London office.
- Work with our global head of pro bono, and UK partners where appropriate, to ensure risk and compliance measures are followed throughout the practice, and consider business risks when taking on new matters.
- Source and screen new referrals for pro bono work.
- Work collaboratively with the conflicts and KYC teams on pre-onboarding checks.
- Develop and oversee pro bono partnerships with corporate clients.
- Work alongside the global pro bono team on wider pro bono strategy.
- Prepare and deliver presentations on pro bono.
- Prepare internal and external communications on pro bono and CSR projects and successes.
- Assist with statistics and other reporting internally and externally.
- Work collaboratively with our Marketing Department on applying for awards in relation to our London pro bono projects.
- Coordinate the Skadden JUST Programme.
- Organise CSR activities for the London office.
The Interim Pro Bono Attorney will report to Brenna DeVaney, Skadden’s global head of pro bono and work closely with her (and be overseen by her) in the role generally.
Your skills and experience
- Qualified lawyer (E&W qualified preferred) with at least 2 years PQE.
- Passionate about access to justice and social impact.
- Pro bono casework experience in a law firm context.
- Strong people management skills, and ability to supervise and mentor colleagues at all levels.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Efficient time management skills.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Self-motivated.
- Ability to think strategically.
- Good understanding of how the pro bono practice should align with other priorities of the firm.
- Experience working with vulnerable pro bono clients, and confidence in providing support to colleagues.
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We pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package. The package includes:
- Discretionary year-end bonus
- Technology allowance
- 22 days holiday and 3 personal days
- Enhanced Family leave
- Private medical insurance
- Permanent health insurance
- Life assurance
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Gym allowance
- Travel insurance
Mentoring and Hybrid Working
Associates who join Skadden laterally participate in our mentor program, Skadden Integration+, which specifically focuses on the unique needs experienced attorneys face during professional transitions
These efforts, along with our professional development and other Skadden benefits, including a hybrid work model. Our hybrid work model consists of working Monday to Thursday in the office (for full-time attorneys), underscoring Skadden’s long-standing commitment to investing in its people and culture. |
Skadden has a sophisticated training programme that includes both in-house and external seminars and training sessions. We also pride ourselves on providing our lawyers with "on-the-job" training and constructive "real-time" partner feedback. The formal training programme includes:
- Regular team meetings
- Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm’s practice areas and skills. These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, KC’s and other professionals.
- Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden’s network of offices.
Pro bono
Pro bono is a core aspect of Skadden culture, and the firm dedicates approximately 3-5% of its total billable hours to pro bono matters. Our lawyers have an opportunity to get involved in a range of pro bono matters under the supervision of charities, on topics including family, welfare benefits, housing, and immigration, as well as corporate pro bono opportunities.
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