Find a lawyerOur capabilitiesYour career
Locations
Our capabilities
News

Select language:

Locations
Our capabilities
News

Select language:

hamburger menu showcase image
  1. About us
  2. Pro bono

Law for change

We provide free legal services in the public interest (pro bono) to a wide range of clients, from individual asylum seekers to some of the world’s biggest charities.
hero-image-0
hero-image-1

We believe everyone should have effective access to their legal rights

To maximise our impact we focus our efforts in certain areas, including child rights, refugee rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and human trafficking.

Our aim is to have the greatest possible impact on access to justice and access to opportunity, through deep relationships with our ongoing pro bono clients and by proactively supporting them in addressing systemic issues. Our pro bono clients are clients of the firm: we don’t distinguish internally between paid work and pro bono, and often bring together cross-border, cross-practice teams as needed.

Our pro bono clients also benefit from the skills of our business services professionals. And we work with legal teams at our corporate clients to support their pro bono activities, and collaborate on projects that meet our shared objectives. To find out more about our work, see the detailed case studies listed below.

About us
Culture and community
Environment
Pro bono
Case studies
Responsible business reports

Last year...

...over 1,600+ lawyers across 33 offices...

...gave over 112,000+ hours of free legal work...

...on 661 matters for over 330 pro bono clients

Case studies

View all our case studies
secondary-card-image

Significant modern slavery compensation award

Freshfields secures substantial criminal injuries compensation for modern slavery survivor

Read more

secondary-card-image
secondary-card-image

US refugee class action

Supporting visa applications for Iraqi and Afghan nationals under threat

Read more

secondary-card-image
secondary-card-image

Save the Children

A rewarding relationship

Read more

secondary-card-image
secondary-card-image

Advising individuals impacted by trauma

Launch of bespoke online global training modules

Read more

secondary-card-image

Awards

UPJ Special Award for Corporate Engagement (pro bono)

For our criminal defence initiative for adolescents

FT Innovative Lawyers in Pro bono award 2024

For our work advising ECPAT UK

Law.com

Best Law Firm for UK Pro Bono 2021 Number one ranking

City Bar Justice Center

Pro Bono Service and Community Impact award 2024

Sanctuary for Families’

Above and Beyond Award 2023

International Refugee Assistance Project

Excellent Pro Bono Case Team award 2024

Contacts

New York

Mary Eaton

Partner, Co-head of Securities & Shareholder Litigation
London

Ali Sallaway

Partner
London

Paul Yates

Counsel

Our commitment

Our commitment

About us

For nearly 300 years we've partnered with industry leaders to break barriers and seize opportunities. Today, we’re defining what’s next – enabling our clients to succeed by solving their most complex legal challenges and creating opportunity where others see obstacles.

About us

Environment

Environment is everyone’s business. We are committed to reducing our environmental impact, embedding sustainable practices, and supporting clients in their transition to a net zero future – acting boldly, collaborating widely, and driving meaningful change.

Environment

Community impact

Opportunity should not be a privilege. Through meaningful partnerships, mentoring, and outreach in our broader community beyond Freshfields, we break down barriers and create pathways for people from underserved backgrounds – helping them realise their potential, and build a future where talent, not background, defines success.

Community impact

Culture and inclusion

Together we seek to create an environment where everyone is empowered to succeed and thrive. By challenging ourselves, collaborating seamlessly, and engaging openly, we build a culture of trust, respect, and extraordinary outcomes.

Culture and inclusion

NAVIGATE TO
About usLocations and officesYour careerOur thinkingOur capabilitiesNews
CONNECT
Find a lawyerAlumniContact us
NEED HELP
Fraud and scamsComplaintsTerms and conditions
LEGAL
AccessibilityCookiesLegal noticesTransparency in supply chains statementResponsible procurementPrivacy

Select language:
Select language:
© 2026 Freshfields. Attorney Advertising: prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome