NEWS
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5 November 2011 - William East given a special commendation in Bar Pro Bono Awards
We are delighted to announce that William East has been given a special commendation for his pro bono work in the 2011 Bar Pro Bono Awards.
The awards were set up in 1996 by the former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith to highlight the pro bono work done by members of the Bar. William was presented with his special commendation by the Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP at the Bar Conference on 5 November. This year the judging panel included:
- Lord Goldsmith QC, Chairman of the judging panel
- Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Bar
- Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Deputy Chairman of the Bar Standards Board
- Nichola Higgins, Chairman of the Young Barristers’ Committee
- David Barnes, Chairman of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks, and
- Peter Grieves-Smith, Chairman of the Employed Barristers’ Committee.
William was nominated for the award by his fellow member of chambers and former pupil supervisor, David Rees. The Bar Council press release on the awards, which can be found here, stated of William that:
'The judges highlighted the instrumental role he has played in eight cases across several areas of law, and the profound difference he has made to the lives of the individuals and communities he has represented.'
The overall winner of the award this year was Shereener Browne of Garden Court Chambers. In addition to William's special commendation, a special commendation was also given to Geraldine Clark of Serle Court Chambers. Lord Goldsmith, chair of the judging panel, stated:
“It was extremely difficult to select one winner this year and special mention must be made of two other nominees, Geraldine Clark and William East. Both have repeatedly gone beyond the call of duty to assist pro bono clients and their work shows true dedication to the pro bono ethos."
Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Bar and a member of the judging panel, said:
“This has been an enormously difficult exercise as there are many deserving candidates. It is truly heartening to read of how each and every nominee has given so much. The positive and important improvements on the lives of those who have benefited are clear from the touching references."
You can find more details of the awards on the Bar Council and the Bar Pro Bono's websites at the links below. There is also a link to a brochure produced by the Bar Pro Bono Unit giving details of all the nominees and to William's profile on this site.