Our commitment to justice, fairness, and equality

Our alumni often tell us that their initial attraction to studying and practicing law was the opportunity to promote fairness, equality, and justice. While our work for corporate, financial, and institutional clients centers around those very themes, many lawyers remain committed to helping those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access this legal advice.

For decades, A&O Shearman has provided pro bono legal advice to advance global justice, equality, and access to counsel. Starting with volunteering at free legal advice clinics in the 1990s, our social impact work has grown into a worldwide program in which lawyers and members of our business teams offer their time and skills to help people and organizations in need.

Now, we provide a platform to address injustice around the world, working to build a fair society with equal opportunities for all. We use our skills and expertise to increase access to justice, social finance, education, and employment, and support our local communities through the A&O Shearman Foundation. 

Our new global social impact partnership

A&O Shearman’s new global social impact partner, United for Global Mental Health (UnitedGMH), is making a difference all over the world. The charity works across a wide range of mental health-related issues. We have chosen to focus on children and young people.

UnitedGMH’s vision is “a world where everyone, everywhere has someone to turn to for their mental health.” It works directly, and in partnership, with national partner organizations, to advocate for change around the globe.

Khalid Garousha, senior partner, said: “The global social impact partnership says a lot about who we are as a firm—everyone who works here, regardless of their particular skillset or location, can meaningfully contribute, whether that’s by fundraising, doing pro bono, or being a passionate advocate for the cause. “We want to maintain an environment that promotes positive mental health for all our colleagues and supports their mental wellbeing; UnitedGMH’s vision is one that resonates profoundly with us.”

Our global social impact partnership brings the firm together to support a single global charity with fundraising, pro bono legal advice and in-kind support. We aim to raise more than USD1 million over two years, and for the first time will also support four of UnitedGMH’s national partner organizations.

This work reflects the culture of our firm as well as our responsibility to help build a fair and equitable society. It is also a demonstration of our longstanding commitment to our people, our clients, and the wider legal sector.

Sarah Kline, co-founder and chief executive of the charity, welcomes the partnership. “Combining the funds we raise with the pro bono expertise of the firm’s brilliant teams, UnitedGMH will advocate for better mental health for young people everywhere,” she said.

“And we’ll support trusted partners to bring practical, lasting mental health services to children and young people in Brazil, the Philippines, Romania, parts of Africa and beyond. Every young person deserves the support they need to grow and thrive.”

Kate Cavelle, global head of social impact at A&O Shearman, said: “UnitedGMH represents a slightly different partnership model for us. In the past, our global social impact partnerships have focused on raising funds and doing pro bono work for a single organization and its overarching mission, plus a project in a defined part of the world. This partnership allows us to significantly expand our reach and impact.”

An existing pro bono client, UnitedGMH understands the “critical role that laws and policies play in shaping mental health frameworks,” said Kate. “Importantly, they’re well-positioned to make the most of the support we offer—whether that’s legal advice, fundraising, or volunteering.

“By supporting UnitedGMH and four national partner organizations, we’re aiming to support its work by advocating for better mental health policies worldwide, increasing access to services especially in underserved communities—raising awareness and reducing stigma, and empowering local organizations.”

This new approach means that these local organizations will also benefit from our fundraising, pro bono, and professional support.

“Half of mental health conditions start under the age of 14,” Kate says. “Children and young people should not have to face mental health problems alone. UnitedGMH campaigns to make sure children and young people get the mental health care they need—when and for as long as they need it.”

Our outgoing social impact partner

As part of our social impact program, we give pro bono advice, support community projects, fund the work of charitable organizations, and help clients maximize their positive social impact. We aim to leverage our firm’s expertise to advise investors, wholesalers, intermediaries, foundations, and impact-driven organizations.

Over the past ten years, we’ve contributed more than GBP10m to charities, including nearly GBP7m in fundraising and GBP3m in pro bono support, notes Kate Cavelle.

Women for Women International, our previous global social impact partner, received GBP1.2m in funding—exceeding our GBP1m target—and benefited from GBP850,000 in legal and non-legal pro bono support. Together, these donations helped Women for Women International meet the urgent needs of women survivors in conflict zones, support displaced women through social and economic empowerment training, and increase women’s access to justice and decision-making.

Highlights of the two-year partnership included a contribution of GBP425,000 to enroll 500 Iraqi women in a program where they learned to save money and build businesses, understand their rights, improve their health, and change societal rules. We allocated a further GBP100,000 to the Conflict Response Fund in Sudan, which is experiencing the biggest humanitarian crisis on record.

New York-based partner Paula Anderson, who visited Rwanda on a Women for Women International trip in January 2024, said: “There was a great sense of camaraderie among our group of lawyers and business teams.

“We all came from different countries and different practice groups, but we shared a common passion for the work Women for Women International is doing. We felt the privilege of the experience and were all deeply affected by the women we met in Rwanda who were benefiting from its holistic support.”