Over 280 partners and staff from 13 firms took part in the biggest-ever volunteer project by the profession in the city, organised by Leeds Legal, Leeds Ahead and Groundwork Leeds. Focusing on five day-long projects, it allowed the team to play an active role in helping to improve five communities that fall within the worst 10 per cent nationally on the government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation.
As part of the Cleaner Greener Leeds campaign, dedicated to improving the city, the initiative included painting public underpasses in Little London, litter clearance in Bramley, gardening in Gipton, area-wide tidy ups in Chapeltown and landscaping in Beeston.
Alan M Baker, chairman of Leeds Legal, Britain’s first city-based legal marketing campaign, said: “We promote the high-quality advice available in the UK’s largest law centre outside London, but also pride ourselves on uniting the legal profession for the greater good of the city – and this is a prime example of just that. This programme is only a stepping stone for improvement in these urban areas, and by committing to a second volunteer programme next year we aim to build on the work we have already completed.
Mark Vipan, partner at DLA Piper Leeds, said: “DLA Piper's participation in Leeds Legal Environment Week has enabled members of the firm to do some tangible good for those around them, whilst working as a team away from the office in the fresh air. This initiative furthers professional collaboration, and, by working together, we are bringing our combined weight to an initiative designed to make a lasting positive contribution to our local community.”
Agreeing with the benefits of the volunteer work, Tim Halstead, managing partner of Shulmans said: “Our employees want to support their local communities. Leeds Legal has made this easy for us by identifying where we can best make a contribution."
Leeds Legal is backed by the Leeds Law Society, Marketing Leeds and The Law Society of England and Wales. It is dedicated to raising the profile of the Leeds legal profession, both nationally and internationally within Europe and Asia.
