Lawyers for Lobsters: Markus Findlay's story

From making burritos in Shoreditch to the front line of pro bono work, barrister and former Advocate caseworker Markus Findlay of Doughty Street Chambers shares his pro bono journey as we kick off our 30th year.  

My first job after law school was in a vegan Mexican food stand in Shoreditch. My second job, briefly overlapping with the first, was as a caseworker at Advocate.  

Eight years on, I have forgotten how to make burritos and tacos, but I still have fond memories of my time working at the Bar’s national pro bono charity. As I write this, I have just met up with two former colleagues from the Bar Pro Bono Unit, as it was named then. What unites us? We all received unique training in preparing cases for some of the most vulnerable people in society and were daily humbled by the professionalism of the Bar, across all areas of law.  

Two cases stand out from my time as a caseworker: 

The first involved a negative merits assessment by a commercial silk who regularly reviewed our cases. The individual sought advice on the rights of lobsters. The review decision was drafted with real care and sensitivity and, although it ultimately refused the request, it included comprehensive reasoning and practical next steps. That experience impressed upon me the importance of treating all clients with respect, however idiosyncratic their demands may be. It also showed me how you can deliver bad news in a constructive way that keeps a client on side. The case made such an impression on us that it inspired the name of our caseworker WhatsApp group: ‘Lawyers for Lobsters’!

The second involved an unexpected call for assistance from the man who inspired me to come to the Bar in the first place: Sir Geoffrey Nice KC. When I watched a 2007 documentary about his prosecution of Slobodan Milošević, I was assured that this was the career for me. Sir Geoffrey sought advice for a Peoples’ Tribunal on forced organ harvesting. I persuaded my now Head of Chambers, Edward Fitzgerald KC, to assist and then volunteered on the Tribunal myself. Sir Geoffrey and I remained in touch, and we have since collaborated on other projects.  

After five years of applying for pupillage, I eventually joined the Bar and was able to take on Advocate cases myself. In one regulatory matter, I persuaded the General Dental Council (GDC) to not strike off a trainee dentist for failing to disclose some historic convictions. His oral evidence about his misspent youth, homelessness, single parenting, and enrolment on a prestigious dental training course was profound. It was also a reminder of how dramatically a person’s future can change when they are given just a little support. 

I am proud to wish Advocate a happy 30th birthday. May the charity go from strength to strength and continue to produce the next generation of access to justice lawyers.  

If you have a story you would like to share with Advocate for our 30th anniversary, please email communications@weareadvocate.org.uk, who can share it on our website. You may also wish to share your Advocate testimonials on LinkedIn with the hashtag #Advocate30Years, and tagging Advocate.  

Markus is one of the 617 barristers recognised on the 2025 Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales last year for dedicating 25+ hours of time to pro bono work in 2024. If you completed 25+ hours of pro bono work in 2025, make sure to add your name to feature on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List. Find out more.