Celebrating January's pro bono heroes

1. Mass Ndow-Njie, Government Legal Department

Mass is the Founder and Chairperson of Bridging the Bar. He was called in 2019 and signed up to Advocate in December 2020. Within a week of signing up, he took on a case. He saw the papers on a Monday, accepted the case on Tuesday and helped the applicant on Wednesday! This was also shortly followed by accepting another piece of work.

The applicant said:

“Thank you very much for connecting me with Mr. Ndow Njie to help through the preliminary hearing yesterday. He is very professional, an amazing lawyer, very thorough and has an acute understanding of his clients and their needs.

…The work you do is truly vital to so many people like myself who cannot afford legal representation at stages like these in life and I'm truly grateful for your kindness and dedication.”

Thank you, Mass. 

2. Harriet Wakeman, Temple Garden Chambers 

Harriet took five separate cases with Advocate in 2020, giving an extraordinary amount of time to help some of the most vulnerable people in society. Harriet is always willing to pick up calls and consider taking on cases and has been a pleasure to work with. As one applicant said:

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Harriet Wakeman, the barrister who was allocated to provide me with advice. She was extremely professional, thorough and sympathetic to my plight.”

Thank you, Harriet. 

3. Robert Levack, 187 Fleet Street Chambers 

Robert took on three separate criminal and personal injury cases with Advocate in 2020. The applicants and the casework team speak very highly of working with Robert, as do our applicants:

“I am writing this email to you with heartfelt gratitude for services provided to me by Mr Robert Levack. I have been subject to a very stressful tribunal situation… however, this time has been surprisingly easier to travel through what I can only describe to be his sheer excellence as a barrister.

I was living in fear of possible outcomes and the situation made me feel worthless as a professional. Not only has Robert been extremely diligent in his professional capacity but this excellence also extends to his empathy and affable nature… I feel that he is true testimony to what a barrister should be.”

Thank you, Robert.