Senior Pro Bono Lawyer (12 month FTC)

Freshfields is seeking a Senior Pro Bono Lawyer to join our global Pro Bono team on a 12-month FTC/4 day week basis. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced transactional lawyer who values flexibility and impact.

About Us

At Freshfields, we believe everyone should have effective access to their legal rights. Our global Pro Bono practice provides free legal services in the public interest to a wide range of clients—from individual asylum seekers to some of the world’s leading charities. We focus on areas such as child rights, refugee rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and combating human trafficking.

About The Role

As part of our global Pro Bono team, you’ll play a key role in developing and managing our pro bono practice. You’ll work closely with leading NGOs and public interest organisations, scope and develop new mandates, and provide strategic advice on transactional matters and individual casework. This position offers the chance to collaborate across borders and practice groups, delivering meaningful legal support to those who need it most.

What You’Ll Do

Reporting to the Head of Pro Bono, you will:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with pro bono clients and NGOs.
• Scope and develop new pro bono mandates, with a focus on transactional work.
• Advise and support lawyers on pro bono matters, including technical queries.
• Manage key access-to-justice projects and supervise cases.
• Contribute to shaping the firm’s pro bono strategy and deliver presentations internally and externally.
• Line manage the Pro Bono Executive based in Manchester.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified transactional lawyer, with 5+ years PQE, or equivalent.
• Significant experience in pro bono work within a law firm context.
• Strong client relationship skills and ability to influence across a global organisation.
• Excellent communication, project management, and strategic thinking skills.
• Resilient, highly organised, and able to work independently.

Why Join Us?

• Work on impactful projects that advance access to justice and opportunity.
• Collaborate with a diverse, global team committed to making a difference.
• Enjoy flexibility with a 4-day working week.

Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.