The SMU Pro Bono Centre (PBC) celebrated the extraordinary contributions of its law students and volunteer lawyers at its annual Pro Bono Appreciation Dinner on 1 October 2024.
This annual dinner is dedicated to honouring those who have embraced the spirit of pro bono work and also made a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.
Guest-of-Honour Mr Murali Pillai SC, Minister of State for the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport, said in his address: “Access to justice is a key pillar of our justice system. Singapore has a robust legal system based on strong rule of law, but this alone is not sufficient to guarantee access to justice for all citizens.
“We must ensure that justice is a reality, including for the lower-income and vulnerable groups in our society, where citizens in need can gain access to legal resources regardless of his or her background or financial means.”
He also shared his own experience with pro bono work, which started after graduation. “In my first year after being called to the Bar, I took on five pro bono cases. As a junior lawyer then, I quickly realised that pro bono work was helpful for lawyers to hone our skills as courtroom litigators,” he said.
“Pro bono work helps us to stay true to our ideals and is a constant reminder of why many of us joined practice in the first place. For me, this has also played an influential role on my motivation to join politics.”
Professor Chan Wing Cheong, Director of SMU Pro Bono Centre, shared that the class of 2024 has collectively performed a total of 9,125 pro bono hours, 18 per cent more than the previous year. The average for each law student is around 48 hours, which is more than double the mandatory 20 hours that is required.
In her address, Professor Lee Pey Woan, Dean of SMU Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL), said, “Pro bono participation plays an important part in the legal education of SMU Law students. It allows them to appreciate how the legal principles they learn in the classroom apply in real-life scenarios. Additionally, pro bono experiences foster a sense of social responsibility and offer deep insights into issues faced by less fortunate members of our community.”
Channelling legal know-how into acts of service
At the event, 49 recipients who exemplify the highest ideals of pro bono work were recognised in seven categories.
Among these recipients are Natalia Beadle (LLB, Class of 2024) and Dorcas Chang (JD, Class of 2024), the winners of the LLB and JD categories of the Amellia Moo Spirit of Pro Bono Hero Awards. They contributed in excess of 300 and 170 pro bono hours respectively during the course of their studies, the highest numbers in their cohorts.
“I found great meaning in doing pro bono – to be able to use skills and knowledge I have learnt to help others,” Natalie said.
Dorcas has been active with Justice Without Borders – she helped the office organise workshops to raise awareness among migrant domestic workers of their rights and also in live cases that the office was assisting with. “I felt great meaning in doing pro bono – to be able to use skills and knowledge learnt to help others. I plan to pursue a career that is in service of others,” she shared.
SMU alumni Chen Lixin (LLB class of 2019) received the Spirit of Pro Bono Champion Award for being an exemplary role model for SMU students.
As a student, Lixin volunteered at the SMU PBC Legal Clinic, which holds legal consultation sessions every Friday evening (except for the months of April and November).
Even after her graduation, she continues volunteering there despite her demanding schedule practicing international arbitration at a foreign law practice. She is among 14 volunteer lawyers helping out at the Legal Clinic, of which more than three-quarters are SMU alumni. The Legal Clinic holds legal consultation sessions every Friday evening, except for the months of April and November.
SMU also gave out the Spirit of Pro Bono Silver Award to Mr Richard Tan. He was among the first to answer the call for volunteer lawyers when the SMU Pro Bono Centre Legal Clinic was set up in 2013 and has been a steadfast volunteer for the last 10 years.
In 2022, he also received the Spirit of Pro Bono Pinnacle Award for volunteering at the Legal Clinic the greatest number of times for four consecutive years.
Forty-five other recipients were presented with awards that evening, including five JD graduates from Class of 2024 who completed 50 or more approved pro bono hours; 28 LLB graduates from Class of 2024 who completed 80 or more approved pro bono hours; and 12 lawyers who volunteered at the SMU PBC Legal Clinic in 2024.
In thanking the Pro Bono Centre team for their efforts, Professor Lee also commended them for introducing innovative and impactful projects which serve to plug gaps in access to justice and at the same time broaden SMU Law students’ exposure.
These include Project Will Writing, where students work on Wills for the beneficiaries of Singapore’s Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC). Their support provides great relief for caregivers who are assured that the trust that they set up at SNTC during their lifetime will continue to be funded after they pass on to keep on benefitting their loved ones.
“At the SMU Pro Bono Centre, our efforts are driven by the spirit of service and volunteerism that defines the SMU education. It is truly a privilege to have your good company on this rewarding journey,” Professor Lee concluded.
See also: Celebrating the spirit of service and volunteerism that defines the SMU education | SMU Newsroom
