Insights

11 April 2022

In Conversation with Kimmie Fearnside, Pro Bono Lead

Kimmie – please introduce yourself

I’m a 6th year Associate with a broad practice in dispute resolution, having worked on a spectrum of matters covering different types of clients, multiple jurisdictions, and a wide variety of sectors. I grew up in Hong Kong and have built my career in London, which I see as my second home!

I am now also the Pro Bono Lead at Pallas; our objective is to develop the practice with the correct infrastructure in place in order to encourage broad and impactful participation in pro bono projects, and to work towards fulfilling our public pledges.

Why is pro bono work important to you in particular?

I have always been passionate about pro bono work; in my view, there is an ethical duty for lawyers to meaningfully contribute to the communities in which we live and work, to help those who are unable to afford legal representation, and to promote access to justice for all.

I have been interested and involved in pro bono work since I was at law school. One of my first projects was with the charity IPSEA, the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. As volunteers, we received training to provide advice via a hotline to parents of children with special educational needs, who did not necessarily know what their statutory rights were or how to challenge insufficient provision made for their children. Whilst this wasn’t an area I initially had any particular expertise in, I found it fascinating to learn through the training, as well as fulfilling to be able to use my legal skills and knowledge to assist parents in need.

I have been working on a variety of pro bono matters ever since, and hope that continues throughout my career.

Pallas has set targets on pro bono activity – how is this work progressing?

Pallas has pledged to increase community support every year to 5% of the firm’s financial resources by 2025.

This pledge will be achieved through both pro bono work and non-legal volunteering, as well as other corporate responsibility programmes. I’m very focused on figuring out where we are now in the context of our Pro Bono programme and where we need to be, and how to achieve that aim. And in doing so, I want to make sure that we encourage widespread participation in our Pro Bono practice, so that the culture of pro bono work is a core part of the firm, and to facilitate opportunities suited to everyone’s interests. As dispute resolution lawyers, I am also keen to ensure that our unique legal skills are effectively utilised in our Pro Bono practice to advance important causes.

Making this public commitment is a bold and admirable step. It is a fresh take and in the context of Pallas’ other pledges relating to diversity, inclusion and collaboration, and sustainability, provides a unique feature of the firm which hopefully resonates with the next generation of lawyers.

“I have always been passionate about pro bono work; in my view, there is an ethical duty for lawyers to meaningfully contribute to the communities in which we live and work, to help those who are unable to afford legal representation, and to promote access to justice for all.”

You’re working on the ClientEarth matter – can you tell us more about this?

Will Hooker and I are acting for ClientEarth, a legal advocacy environmental organisation which is also a shareholder in Shell. The claim is framed as a derivative action against Shell’s Board of Directors and the claim seeks to enforce alleged breaches of statutory duty by the board of directors in respect of mis-management of climate risk and the company’s adaptation to a low carbon future.

Shell is in a unique position in the energy transition; the claim contends that what the Board has implemented is contrary to the long-term value of the company and the interests of its shareholders.

Given the important issues in the case, we hope it will highlight climate risk management as a legitimate issue for companies and boards to be aware of, and to properly scrutinise and implement their proposals for the energy transition.

Which aspects of your role do you find the most interesting?

Applying legal knowledge to develop an appropriate and suitable commercial strategy in a case can be challenging, but is also very rewarding as a route map to achieving success for the client.

What is life like at Pallas?

I find it fascinating to work somewhere which has a new (or no) history. Established firms come with brand recognition but also more rigid boundaries and frameworks within which you are working. Pallas has the luxury to be able to create its own footstep which I’m excited to be a part of.

On a day-to-day basis, we have a small associate team which I feel are an integrated part of the firm. I enjoy working with a high calibre of colleagues, who keep me inspired.

Any advice for those wishing to enter the sector?

Don’t be afraid to try out different areas of law and consider various types of firm or organisation before deciding on what your legal career might look like (and even then, what you planned at the outset will change in time!). Getting greater exposure will not only be a more interesting lived experience, but also helps you to become a rounded lawyer – able to problem-solve more effectively by drawing from different perspectives.

Finally – I hear it is a long career, so don’t stress!

I find it fascinating to work somewhere which has a new (or no) history. Established firms come with brand recognition but also more rigid boundaries & frameworks within which you are working. Pallas has the luxury to be able to create its own footstep which I’m excited to be a part of.

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