DLA Piper Hong Kong office pro bono work recognised by Law Society of Hong Kong

DLA Piper has been recognised in The Law Society of Hong Kong’s 2021 Pro Bono and Community Work Recognition Programme for its role in supporting local communities.

The Hong Kong office won the Silver Law Firm Award for its outstanding commitment to volunteer pro bono and community work. In addition, several DLA Piper lawyers were also presented with individual awards including four gold, four silver and nine bronze. Aaron Chan, pro bono associate, received the Young Lawyer Special Award for contributing the highest number of pro bono hours (between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021), with just five years of post-qualified experience. Additionally, Rita Chow (associate, Litigation & Regulatory), Benjamin Fung (associate, Corporate) and Kelsey Wong (legal assistant, Litigation & Regulatory) were all awarded with Improvement Awards.

This recognition demonstrates the Hong Kong office’s continued passion and commitment to pro bono work. From July 2020 to June 2021, the office provided nearly 3,200 hours of pro bono work; almost 700 hours more than the previous year. This work includes providing ongoing support to the DLA Piper-RainLily Legal Clinic, which was set up in partnership with the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women and supports women who have been subjected to sexual violence or sexual harassment in accessing justice. A lawyer from the Hong Kong office has also been seconded to Pro Bono HK Limited on a part-time basis. Pro Bono HK is a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting and empowering impoverished, distressed or vulnerable individuals in Hong Kong. This secondment aims to strengthen Pro Bono HK’s legal clinic and legal education projects.

The award recipients were:

Gold awardees:

• Aaron Chan (Pro Bono Associate, Asia)
• Wundy Lee (Senior Associate, Employment)
• Edith Liu (Associate, Tax)
• Kelsey Wong (Legal Assistant, Litigation & Regulatory)

Silver awardees:

• Rita Chow (Associate, Litigation & Regulatory)
• Benjamin Fung (Associate, Corporate)
• Jacqueline Leung (Associate, Intellectual Property and Technology)
• Jason Lo (Legal Assistant, Employment)

Bronze awardees:

• Annisa Chan (Associate, Corporate)
• Heng Loong Cheong (Partner, Corporate)
• Kenneth Lee (Associate, Real Estate)
• Hayley Leung (Trainee Solicitor, Real Estate)
• Jane B. Li (Associate, Intellectual Property and Technology)
• Christine Liu (Partner, Litigation & Regulatory)
• Samantha Mak (Associate, Tax)
• Lydia Wong (Associate, Litigation & Regulatory)
• Yolanda Wong (Trainee Solicitor, Litigation & Regulatory)

Improvement Awards

• Rita Chow (Associate, Litigation & Regulatory)
• Benjamin Fung (Associate, Corporate)
• Kelsey Wong (Legal Assistant, Litigation & Regulatory)

Young Lawyer Special Award

• Aaron Chan (Pro Bono Associate, Asia)

In 2022, the Hong Kong office will continue to work with DLA Piper lawyers around the world to focus on protecting the rights of displaced people, women and LGBT+ people.