Pro Bono Lawyer Contest and ranking list of law offices

For the tenth time, the Pro Bono Lawyer Award has been given by the Legal Clinics Foundation and the Rzeczpospolita daily. During the award-giving gala of 17 April 2013, Rzeczpospolita also bestowed diplomas for individuals and firms featured in the eleventh edition of the law offices ranking.

The Pro Bono Lawyer Award was bestowed to Ms Małgorzata Zielińska. Distinctions were also given to Mr Lech Obara and Mr Witold Klaus. The purpose of the contest is to distinguish lawyers who selflessly and for free provide legal services for individuals, society organisations and different institutions.

Among this year’s ranking members appeared law firms working with the Helsinki Foundation such as Leśnodorski, Ślusarek i Wspólnicy, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Clifford Chance, CMS Cameron McKenna, Dentons. These law firms support the HFHR in cases involving the freedom of speech, right to a court, or work with the Foundation in a high-profile case of “unappointed judges”. The cases are covered by the Strategic Litigation Programme and the Observatory of the Freedom of Media in Poland.

256 firms took part in the ranking. Awards were given in various categories such as the largest firm, the highest turnover, activity in the leading commercial transactions on the Polish market.

The law offices of Leśnodorski, Ślusarek i Wspólnicy have been awarded a distinction for the firm’s pro bono work carried out in the form of day-to-day legal aid services provided for many foundations and private individuals. Mr Bartosz Krużewski, Clifford Chance, was named the best litigator.