Community & pro bono

Around the world, our pro bono and community outreach practice is focused on widening access to justice, finance, education and a healthy environment.

In pursuing this aim, we align our work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We seek to contribute to the achievement of goals 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 in particular.

At the heart of our approach is a commitment to working in partnership with NGOs who share these aims. We think that we can achieve more by working alongside, and trying to enhance the capacity of, outstanding organisations with track records in making improvements in these areas that are integral to the ability of people to lead secure, sustainable and fulfilling lives.

We are guided in pursuing these ambitious aims by our pro bono strategy and, uniquely amongst international law firms, a theory of change. The CEO of one of our global strategic pro bono clients commented:

"The Clifford Chance theory of change is the best explanation of a corporate contribution to wider goals that I have seen.

By linking to the Sustainable Development Goals Clifford Chance's contribution becomes relevant to the global agenda, with your efforts aligned with the work of others from front line NGO workers to the leadership of the United Nations, and everyone else in between. It talks to us about what you want to achieve in language which we understand."

Our other key commitment is to working hard to ensure that the what we do makes a difference and achieves impact in the communities around the world where Clifford Chance is based and does business.

Each year we report publicly on the impact that we have made on people's lives and in contributing towards the achievement of the United Nations SDGs.

Everyone who works at Clifford Chance is encouraged to contribute to our work. Our people tell us consistently that their pro bono and community work improves their professional skills and sense of fulfilment at work.

Applications now open for the 2022 Sustainable Development Goals Award

Clifford Chance has opened applications for its annual global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) Award, which this year has an educational focus. The award is aligned with the UN SDGs, which also inform Clifford Chance's pro bono and community outreach efforts. The intention of the award is to recognise and support outstanding achievement in contributing towards the achievement of the UN SDGs.

Apply

Six law firms collaborate to support launch of the Black Equity Organisation

We've assisted with the development and launch of the Black Equity Organisation (BEO), a new national and independent civil rights group created to advance justice and equity for Black people in Britain. Chinwe Odimba-Chapman, Global Partner for Talent said: "The BEO vision and plan to advance equity for Black communities in the UK is as necessary and urgent as it is compelling. Commercial law firms have the ability and resource to help highlight under resourced and underrepresented social matters, and we are glad to be able to be part of supporting such a pioneering organisation that will directly work towards tackling processes that encourage, perpetuate or permit systemic racial injustice."

Find out more about Six law firms collaborate to support launch of the Black Equity Organisation

Progress in 2020/21

1.3 million people

helped since the launch of our Helping 100,000 People programme in 2012

Follow our progress

70,281 in-kind hours

through pro bono and volunteering

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97% of lawyers

reported skills development as a benefit of doing pro bono work

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2021 Responsible Business Report

In our 2021 Responsible Business Report, we explore what it means to be a responsible business and how we can create sustainable change as a firm.

Download our report

Our areas of focus

A focus on... maximising our impact

Forming global strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations is one of the fundamental ways in which we create sustainable change. Amsterdam Partner Angela McEwan and Frankfurt Senior Associate Alexander Suttor discuss the contribution our relationship with Human Rights Watch has on the NGO’s work and what it means for our people.

Reporting library

View our reporting

Our insights

The latest points of view from our people on our responsible business activities

Our commitments

Mapping our objectives

Related information

Who we are and how we work

Clifford Chance