header-logo header-logo

28 March 2019 / George Wilkinson
Issue: 7834 / Categories: Features , Profession , Charities
printer mail-detail

Laying the foundations

It’s time for law firms to take the next step in charitable giving, says George Wilkinson

Law firms are no strangers to charity, and more and more are waking up to the opportunities on offer if they pursue charitable initiatives. But the upcoming start of the new financial year offers an opportunity for a fresh approach to charity, perhaps exploring what is relatively uncharted territory for law firms: a fully-independent charitable foundation.

Law firm charitable giving can stretch from doing something funny for money every March on Red Nose Day, sponsoring a local sports club, or perhaps most simply, making a direct donation to a charity. Working alongside and behind this is the law firm’s broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

A large-scale study of CSR in large law firms, undertaken by Birmingham Law School in 2015, found that the motivations of law firms in undertaking CSR vary considerably (see ‘Large Law Firms and Corporate Social Responsibility’, Steven Vaughan, Linden Thomas & Alastair Young, Birmingham Law School, November 2015). The motivations

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
Consultant-led law firms should prepare for closer regulatory attention as oversight evolves
Artificial intelligence may draft workplace grievances, but employers cannot treat them any differently from conventional complaints
From dishonest claimants to judicial promotions and procedural skirmishes, the latest legal developments offer plenty for litigators to digest
Fresh guidance is set to influence how courts decide whether hearings take place online or in person
County Court judges remain divided over whether landlords can lawfully force entry to carry out essential safety inspections after tenants ignore access injunctions
back-to-top-scroll