It was a night dedicated to honouring selflessness and community spirit, as Singapore Management University Pro Bono Centre shone the spotlight on the extraordinary contributions of its law students and volunteer lawyers at its annual Pro Bono Appreciation Dinner.
Set against the backdrop of inspiring stories and heartfelt recognition, the event held on 1 October 2024 celebrated individuals who have not only embraced the spirit of pro bono work but have 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 spoke about his experience with pro bono work, which started at the same time as his lawyering journey upon graduation. “In my first year after being called to the Bar, I took on five pro bono cases. They were mostly criminal cases through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. 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, adding that “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.”
According to Professor Chan Wing Cheong, Director of SMU Pro Bono Centre, the Class of 2024 has collectively completed a total of 9,125 pro bono hours, 18% more than the previous year. This also averages an impressive 48 hours per law student, more than double the mandatory 20 hours required of them.
At the event, 49 recipients who exemplify the highest ideals of pro bono work were recognised in seven categories. Among them are Natalia Beadle (LLB, Class of 2024) and Dorcas Chang (JD, Class of 2024), who are the winners of the LLB and JD categories of the Amellia Moo Spirit of Pro Bono Hero Awards. They respectively contributed in excess of 300 and 170 pro bono hours during the course of their studies, the most in their cohorts.
Natalie said, “I enjoyed it. I found great meaning in doing pro bono – to be able to use skills and knowledge I have learnt to help others.” Dorcas has been active with Justice Without Borders where she helped the office organise workshops to raise awareness among migrant domestic workers of their rights, and 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.
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.
She made special mention to YPSHL’s alumni: “Among the 14 volunteer lawyers who are helping us at the PBC Legal Clinic on Friday evenings this year, more than three-quarters are our very own alumni. They include Chen Lixin from the SMU LLB Class of 2019, who is being recognised tonight for volunteering the most number of times at the PBC Legal Clinic in 2024.”
Lixin received the Spirit of Pro Bono Champion Award for being an exemplary role model for SMU students. Formerly a student volunteer at the SMU Pro Bono Centre Legal Clinic, Lixin decided to return to SMU to volunteer at the Legal Clinic. Her demanding schedule practicing international arbitration at a foreign law practice has not deterred her from helping the less fortunate with issues that are very different from what she sees in her daily work.
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 most 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 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 be funded after they pass on to benefit their loved ones.
She said, “For SMU’s law students, engaging directly with caregivers to address their needs is an eye-opener. This hands-on experience not only enriches their understanding of inheritance law but also offer practical insights. This year, students also had the opportunity to prepare a Will for an individual who is hearing impaired with the help of sign language interpreters, an experience which was both educational and humbling for them.”
“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,” she concluded.
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Below are more highlights from the evening:
