With the turn of the financial year, we’re pleased to congratulate pro bono coordinators Hannah Rose and Stephen Somerville on their much-deserved promotions. Hannah has made partner at Sparke Helmore Lawyers, while Stephen has been elevated to Senior Associate, Pro Bono at Herbert Smith Freehills.

Hannah Rose
Partner and Head of Pro Bono & Community, Sparke Helmore Lawyers

Hannah manages Sparke Helmore’s Not-For-Profit Corporate team and Pro Bono and Community Program. She joined the firm in 2013, having previously worked at Gadens (now Dentons), Wotton + Kearney and Lander & Rogers. Over the past four to five years she has become a leading pro bono manager. She has succeeded in building a vibrant pro bono practice at Sparke Helmore through her sustained commitment to the values of best practice.

In 2017 Hannah was instrumental in coordinating and developing the Self-Care and Client Management Guide for pro bono lawyers (with videos) that has been very well received by the pro bono (and educational) communities.  She led a warmly received presentation on self-care for pro bono lawyers, and launched the new Guide, at last year’s National Access to Justice and Pro Bono Conference.

Stephen Somerville
Senior Associate – Pro Bono, Herbert Smith Freehills

Stephen manages the Australian pro bono practice at Herbert Smith Freehills with his colleague Emma Maple-Brown including pro bono referrals, secondments, legal clinics and Reconciliation Action Plan initiatives. Stephen really enjoys going to court to assist homeless and disadvantaged young people with their criminal cases as part of The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. He is also a co-chair of the firm’s IRIS (LGBTI) Network in Sydney and sits on the Board of Inner City Legal Centre.