Pro

bono

Overview

Legal service as a catalyst for community change

JSM believes pro bono work should be a fundamental part of every lawyer’s practice.

On average, our lawyers contribute more than 3,000 pro bono hours annually and close of 50% of our lawyers dedicate more than 10 pro bono hours each year.

As one of the few firms in Hong Kong with a dedicated team managing our pro bono programme, we ensure our legal support is focused on addressing key community needs by working with a variety of stakeholders. Recognising our partners’ wealth of frontline experience, we develop close collaboration with them to co-create innovative solutions to a wide range of social issues, and we also help these organisations build capacity to serve others more effectively, particularly through the sharing of legal knowledge.

JSM believes pro bono work should be a fundamental part of every lawyer’s practice.

On average, our lawyers contribute more than 3,000 pro bono hours annually and close of 50% of our lawyers dedicate more than 10 pro bono hours each year.

As one of the few firms in Hong Kong with a dedicated team managing our pro bono programme, we ensure our legal support is focused on addressing key community needs by working with a variety of stakeholders. Recognising our partners’ wealth of frontline experience, we develop close collaboration with them to co-create innovative solutions to a wide range of social issues, and we also help these organisations build capacity to serve others more effectively, particularly through the sharing of legal knowledge.

Distinguished Pro Bono and Community Service Award 2023
The Law Society of Hong Kong

Some notable initiatives include our partnership with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) to produce the Legal Guide for Business Starters, which provides essential legal guidance to young entrepreneurs. Similarly, we worked with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) to publish the Anti-money Laundering/Counter-financing of Terrorism Due Diligence Toolkit, which helps NGOs improve their governance frameworks.

Leveraging on our expertise in a diverse range of practice areas, we also regularly organise customised legal seminars and workshops for non-profits on topics related to civil and criminal procedures, corporate governance, employment law, real estate, intellectual property.

Pro bono is also a tool for us to improve social inclusion. JSM has forged close ties with NGOs such as Justice Centre and Branches of Hope, dedicating more than one thousand hours to assist Hong Kong’s refugee and asylum communities. We also often work hand-in-hand with NGOs to organise community legal education projects for Hong Kong’s ethnically diverse communities.

JSM’s dedication to supporting the community is regularly acknowledged within the legal industry. In 2023, our pro bono work was recognised with both the Distinguished Pro Bono Law Firm Award and the Distinguished Community Service Law Firm Award as part of the Law Society of Hong Kong’s Pro Bono & Community Work Recognition Programme.

Contact

Alan Lau
Pro Bono and Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Please scan the QR code and follow us on WeChat

Wechat ID: JSM_Legal
JSM WeChat QR code