Five DLA Piper lawyers have been recognized at the 2019 Law Society of Hong Kong's Pro Bono and Community Service Awards. The lawyers took home two gold, a silver and two bonze awards, all recognizing their individual and outstanding commitment to Pro Bono work. The recipients are Associates Angel Chim, Tracy Wong, Valerie Li, Samantha Mak and Rita Chow - with four of the Associates recognised in particular for their work at the RainLily Legal Clinic.

The RainLily Legal Clinic forms part of the firm's partnership with the NGO RainLily, which assists women subjected to sexual violence or sexual harassment. This includes helping victims of sexual violence or sexual discrimination file complaint at the Equal Opportunities Commission in Hong Kong. Throughout the year, the clinic saw many successes including a favourable settlement for a client who was subject to workplace sexual harassment from several associates. Rita Chow, who received the Individual Gold Award, has been the coordinator for the clinic since April 2019.

In addition to their work with the RainLily clinic, Angel Chim and Valerie Li have worked on other pro bono projects. Angel Chim, who received the Individual Bronze award, assisted in advising an NGO in Hong Kong on the feasibility of setting up a recreation\sports centre for teenagers from a land law perspective. Valerie Li, winner of the second Individual Gold Award, also worked with UNICEF on a global study which focused on children deprived of liberty. Currently, Valerie is also working with Partner, May Ng, on developing alternative dispute resolution materials for the International Rescue Committee on Know Your Rights, a legal education programme for refugees in camps along the Thai Burma border.

Samantha Mak, who received the Individual Silver Award, was additionally recognised for her work with a local NGO, drafting articles of association and preparing submission documents to the Inland Revenue Department, applying for tax exemption status under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. As well as this, Samantha also assisted on the compilation of a legal clinic directory for Asia which covered more than 15 jurisdictions.

Commenting on the award wins, Ernest Yang, Head of Litigation & Regulatory for Hong Kong and Head of International Arbitration, Asia said: “Making a positive contribution to our local and global communities is a core value which we live by at DLA Piper. It is, therefore, really encouraging to see so many of our lawyers in our Hong Kong practice recognized for living these values. These will, no doubt, be a source of great pride for thee recipients, but will also encourage other lawyers within the firm to continue their outstanding contribution to pro-bono work and do even more for their communities in the future.”