This wasn’t a formal visit with handshakes and speeches. Sarah spent time with the people who make Toynbee Hall what it is: volunteers, staff, and older East Londoners who’ve built a community here. She listened, connected, and reflected on the barriers still facing many of our clients.
For Sarah, this visit was deeply personal. As a young law student, she volunteered at Toynbee Hall, an experience that shaped her commitment to justice:
“Law here isn’t just something you read about. It’s something you do. It’s something you live.”
Sarah’s return was a powerful reminder of the impact of grassroots work. Her words underscored the value of pro bono support—and its limits:
“As valuable as pro bono is, it can never be a substitute for a properly resourced legal aid system.”
A Panel Rooted in Experience
The event brought together sector leaders including Alexandra Marks CBE (Chair of the Parole Board), Dana Denis-Smith OBE (Founder, First 100 Years), and Frances Carpenter (Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP). Each speaker shared hard-earned insights on ethics, equity, and legacy in the legal field. Alexandra reminded us that pro bono must be delivered with the same care and quality as paid work:
“Your professional standards don’t drop because the work is unpaid.”
Dana honoured the women who paved the way—like Carrie Morrison, the first female solicitor—while Frances celebrated nearly a decade of partnership with Toynbee Hall’s Women’s Free Legal Advice Clinic:
“There are always more women needing help than we can serve. We need more clinics, and more firms stepping up.”
Check our YouTube Video of the event