eprivateclient profiles Kerry Stares, Partner & Director of Responsible Business and Pro Bono
Kerry Stares
In the Press
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Pro Bono
Pro Bono is part of our core practice as a Firm. Our pro bono work is more than a commitment—it is a reflection of our values and our dedication to making a tangible difference in society.
We treat our pro bono clients as we do our paying clients and support all our lawyers to get involved - at all levels of seniority and whatever their area of expertise. Pro bono work is treated as equivalent to chargeable work, without limit, for all our lawyers and in 2023 we introduced a KPI around the average number of pro bono hours per UK fee earner to support us in increasing participation.
In the 24/25 financial year, 60% of our UK fee earners undertook pro bono work and 22% of UK fee earners completed at least 25 hours of pro bono over the course of the year. 71 of our lawyers were recognised in the Pro Bono recognition list for 2025.
Our pro bono work is focused on Access to Justice, providing legal support to individuals unable to access legal aid or afford advice, and advising smaller organisations with social, humanitarian, or environmental missions who may otherwise be unable afford legal services.
We ensure our initiatives, particularly advisory pro bono opportunities, are distinct from, and do not conflict with, our fee-earning work with philanthropists, charities, and social enterprises that also delivers outcomes with strong social value.
Impact highlights
Below is just a selection of the projects and initiatives that our lawyers are able to get involved with:
- We train and deploy our lawyers for 2-week secondments to Athens and the Greek islands of Lesvos to help asylum seekers navigate the asylum process.
- We assist survivors of the Windrush scandal to navigate the complex process to apply for compensation under the UK Government’s Windrush Compensation Scheme.
- We run weekly pro bono legal advice clinics in partnership with frontline legal advice centres on issues of family, employment and social housing law, providing a vital service to individuals who cannot otherwise access legal support.
- Partner-led teams from across our UK offices represent disabled people at the First-Tier Tribunal to appeal the withdrawal of disability benefits.
- We partner with the Schools Consent Project, sending our lawyers into schools to teach 11-18 year olds about consent and sexual offences.
- We are part of a collaborative project with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) providing assistance to undocumented children with their applications for citizenship and leave to remain in the UK.
- Impactful advice and casework in our lawyers’ own areas of expertise for individuals unable to access legal aid or afford advice, and smaller organisations with social, humanitarian, or environmental missions who may otherwise be unable afford legal services.
European Lawyers in Lesvos Pro Bono Secondment
Since 2019, our volunteer lawyers have undertaken pro bono secondments as part of a collaborative project with legal charity, European Lawyers in Lesvos.
Understanding the Upcoming Reforms to the Welfare and Benefits System
The UK Government's recent announcement on welfare system reforms has signalled significant changes. Following the Work and Pensions...
Charles Russell Speechlys collaborates with University House Legal Advice Centre to provide pro bono support on social housing issues
Our lawyers have provided pro bono support to individuals living in Tower Hamlets through our partnership with University House Legal Advice Centre
Supporting access to justice in the Middle East
Our lawyers have been volunteering with DIFC Courts at an advice clinic in the Middle East, offering free legal advice to individuals in the DIFC area who cannot afford representation.
Pro bono assistance to form charity supporting former Afghan interpreters in British Army
Our Charities, Employment and Commercial teams proudly provide Sulha Alliance with pro bono support.
My Pro Bono Story
This Pro Bono Week 2023 we showcase the impactful pro bono work our staff have been involved with this year.
Family and Employment law assistance in legal advice deserts
The collaboration was set-up so that our lawyers could direct their support to a geographic area of great legal need, namely Plymouth and the South-West.
Windrush Day 2023: Commemorating 75 Years since the Arrival of HMT Empire Windrush
This June marks 75 years since that arrival and represents a time to celebrate the Windrush Generation.
World Refugee Day 2023
World Refugee Day takes place each year on 20 June, and we are looking forward to marking the occasion again this year.
Spotlight on using Pro Bono to respond to the climate crisis
The Chancery Lane Project is an industry initiative which helps lawyers to integrate climate change considerations into contracts.
My Pro Bono Story
This UK Pro Bono Week 2022, we celebrated our Firm’s pro bono achievements through ‘My Pro Bono Story’.
Windrush Day 2022 – supporting access to justice
Charles Russell Speechlys is proud to continue supporting survivors of the Windrush scandal in their fight for justice.
Pro bono support for major office premises move for charity in Stoke-on-Trent
Emmaus entities provide safe homes, community support and meaningful work to formerly homeless people across the UK.
Pro bono client Everyday Plastic launches collaboration with Greenpeace UK
Are you aware of how much plastic is passing through your home? Do you know what happens to it?
Pro bono assistance to register charity supporting families living with Long Covid
This registration has been a crucial step for the organisation to open up the possibilities of expansion and much-needed fundraising.
Pro bono client The Matrix Trust opens The Hideaway café in Guildford
Profits from every purchase at the café are fed back into Matrix youth projects.
National Pro Bono Week 2021: Z2K’s Disability Benefit Appeals initiative
In 2019, Charles Russell Speechlys joined forces with Zacchaeus 2000 Trust a frontline legal services charity.
Pro bono partnership with Atkins and Z2K sees successful first Disability Benefit Appeals case
Charles Russell Speechlys launched our partnership with Atkins and Zacchaeus 2000 Trust to take on Disability Benefit Appeals cases.
Pro bono advice helps charity acquire properties for homeless people
Transform is a Surrey-based charity providing housing and support to more than 1,700 homeless and vulnerable people every year.
Carers Week sees Charles Russell Speechlys partner with Martin Searle Solicitors and Frenkel Topping to deliver pilot pro bono “Ask the Experts” legal session for Bromley Mencap
Charles Russell Speechlys has partnered with Martin Searle Solicitors and Frenkel Topping
The Nature and Prevalence of Pro Bono Partner Roles Globally hosted by DLA Piper
A conversation with four Pro Bono Partners
Charles Russell Speechlys partners with Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and seven other law firms to assist Windrush victims apply for compensation
Charles Russell Speechlys to assist Windrush victims apply for compensation
Pro bono partnership between Charles Russell Speechlys and Social Business Trust
Our partnership with Social Business Trust (SBT) is going from strength to strength.
Assisting asylum seekers in Greece
In November 2019, we joined a unique pro bono collaboration with five other firms to support asylum seekers in Lesvos.
Pro Bono Webcam Clinics
Charles Russell Speechlys have converted all of their pro bono clinics to a fully remote service.
Charles Russell Speechlys supports Emmaus through pro bono legal support, fundraising and developing volunteering projects for staff and clients
Read about our emergency COVID-19 appeal - Project Companion.
Kerry Stares quoted in Legal Week on the firm's continued involvement with the Bethnal Green Legal Advice Centre during the current lockdown
COVID-19 Food4Heroes
Our pro bono work is helping to feed NHS workers nationwide fighting COVID-19.
Our thinking
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Charles Russell Speechlys sees 71 lawyers named in 2025 Pro Bono Recognition List
Philip Withey
News
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Understanding the Upcoming Reforms to the Welfare and Benefits System
Caroline Wilson
Quick Reads
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Charles Russell Speechlys collaborates with University House Legal Advice Centre to provide pro bono support on social housing issues
Susan Field
Insights
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Pro bono assistance to form charity supporting former Afghan interpreters in British Army
Sarah Farrelly
Insights
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Charles Russell Speechlys recognised as a Top 40 UK employer in the 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index
David Savage
News
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Spotlight on our IT team supporting the Charles Russell Speechlys Foundation charity partners
Debbie Watson
News
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Windrush Day 2023: Commemorating 75 Years since the Arrival of HMT Empire Windrush
Sarah Farrelly
News
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Kerry Stares writes for Funds Europe on private companies entering a new era of transparency on ESG
Kerry Stares
In the Press
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David Berry provides comment for CITMA Review on sustainability in the legal sector
David Berry
In the Press
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Pro bono support for major office premises move for charity in Stoke-on-Trent
Sarah Farrelly
News