Next week is the tenth annual celebration of National Pro Bono Week and looks to encourage, mark and commend, in particular, all the free legal advice and representation offered as a public service by solicitors, barristers and legal executives.

The ongoing two year partnership between Weil, Gotshal & Manges and London Charity, Vital Regeneration highlights the effectiveness and importance of Pro Bono work, particularly in the current economic climate.

Angela McConville, Chief Executive at Vital Regeneration says; "We work with vulnerable people and disadvantaged communities.  The expert legal advice and support we are given from Weil, Gotshal & Manges means that we, our clients and our stake holders, can feel assured that we are delivering a service at the highest possible standard, that all precautions have been taken to eliminate risks and ensure quality".

Pro bono service, unlike traditional volunteering, uses the specific skills of professionals to provide services to those who are unable to afford them, or who are working for the greater good.  Charities like Vital Regeneration often do not have an in-house legal team or funds to pay for ongoing legal services, so they rely on the good will of organisations like Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

Nick Flynn, from Weil, Gotshal & Manges says "At Weil, Gotshal & Manges we have a goal and policy in place to ensure that every one of our lawyers perform 50 hours of pro bono work each year.  Our work with Vital Regeneration reinforces our belief that a great law firm cannot become a great institution unless a pro bono ethic is part of the firm's culture.  It is in this spirit that we refer to time spent on pro bono work as "our finest hours."

Angela goes onto commend Weil, Gotshal & Manges for their contribution by saying "This Pro Bono support is so crucial to charities like ours.  We are receiving a world class legal service from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, free of charge.  If we had to pay for this it would take significant funds away from our front line services".

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

For press enquiries and images please contact: rash@vitalregen.org<mailto:rash@vitalregen.org>

Weil, Gotshal & Manges

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is a partnership of solicitors, registered foreign lawyers and exempt European lawyers.  They are one of the leading private equity law firms in London and Europe.  They advise on all aspects of domestic and cross-border transactional and general corporate issues, including acquisitions and disposals, corporate governance, demergers and re-organisations, equity capital markets, joint ventures, public and private mergers and strategic alliances.
For further information about Weil, Gotshal & Manges please see our website at

For more information about Weil, Gotshal & Manges please visit: http://www.weil.com<http://www.weil.com/>.

Vital Regeneration

Vital Regeneration is a registered charity working to transform London's most deprived neighbourhoods.  They develop social, environmental and economic programmes, so that people and communities fulfil their potential through learning, employment and enterprise.  Their vision is for everyone to have equal expectations and opportunities in life and not to be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.
 

For more information about Vital Regeneration please visit: www.vitalregeneration.org<http://www.vitalregeneration.org/>