01 Oct

Employment Barrister Sophie Garner has been recognised as one of the legal profession's Pro Bono Heroes for 2009

 

Established St Philips Chambers Employment Barrister Sophie Garner has been recognised as one of the legal profession's Pro Bono Heroes for 2009 due to her outstanding commitment to Pro Bono work, both in her personal and professional life.

Together with fifty other leading pro bono practitioners from around the UK, she will attend the 'Pro Bono Heroes' reception hosted by the Attorney General at the House of Lords in the week leading up to National Pro Bono Week (9-13 November 2009). The MP from each respective practitioner’s local area will also attend to acknowledge their dedication.

Some of the organisations that currently benefit from Sophie’s involvement include:

• Amicus which she co-founded in 1991 to assist in the representation of people on death row in the US. It's grown from nothing to a thriving organisation that runs enormously successful training events twice a year on capital punishment law and practice, and which sends up to 40 volunteers each year who are placed in capital defence attorneys' offices.
• Trustee of the Discrimination Law Association, which she led through its successful application for charitable status last year.
• School governor of a local primary school in Birmingham.
• Company secretary/director of a ‘not-for-profit organisation’ dealing with sexual health education.
• Co founder and Chair of local organisation promoting and developing community cohesion in Birmingham at grass roots level.
• Committee member of Quaker West Midlands Area Community Justice Group.

Commenting Sophiesaid "Admittedly I do far more pro-bono work that most people are able or want to take on, but I've been amazed over the years at how little effort it actually takes to make a positive impact. Most lawyers I know are incredibly well equipped to take on voluntary work and yet few do more than attend fundraising dinners. I consider myself very lucky to be able to take on the projects that I do, and although I appreciate that not everyone can commit themselves to the extent that I have, I would thoroughly commend taking on some voluntary work that enables their skills to be put to good use outside the workplace and for the benefit of someone other than themselves. You might even enjoy yourself!"