5 mins read
Pro Bono Week recognises the huge number of legal professionals across the UK who give offer their expert advice and free legal help to those in need. To celebrate we spoke with alumna Zoe-May Mcdonald, now a Conveyancing Assistant at Thrings, about her pro bono experience, what she learned and how taking part in it has helped shape her career.
Edited by Grant Longstaff. Published 6 November 2026.
What pro bono work have you taken part in and why?
I participated in the family advice clinic, the Legal Factsheet Project and APPEAL.
I wanted to gain more practical legal experience alongside my studies and develop a better understanding of how the law operates beyond lectures. I was especially motivated to participate in pro bono opportunities as I could contribute to access to justice and support people who might otherwise face barriers to obtaining legal assistance.
What did your experience of pro bono work look like?
During my time in the family advice clinic, I started out in an “observer student” role which involved listening and observing how the solicitor interacted with the client. Having the opportunity to see how the solicitor asked questions came in handy once I graduated to the “active student” role. In the active student role, I had firsthand experience speaking and building rapport with the clients, obtaining the relevant information and then writing attendance notes.
During my time at APPEAL I worked as part of a group and learned to use different case management systems, conduct legal research, scan and file documents and create case packages to send to potential clients.
What I enjoyed most was being able to connect my academic learning with the real-world impact of legal support. Pro bono work helped me see law as more than legislation and legal principles: it’s also about people, their circumstances and their ability to access justice.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your pro bono experience?
The first client I had will probably stay with me throughout my career. They had been isolated from their support system, didn't speak English very well and had been in an abusive relationship with their ex-partner. They were seeking advice on her rights as a mother and her financial stability.
I was the first person she was able to talk to about her experience, and it was a lot to handle, but it was the most rewarding of my career so far. I was able to change my communication style so we could understand each other and work together to get her the advice and help she needed. The feedback she gave me while talking to the solicitor was the best.
Did pro bono work help develop your legal skills? If so, how?
I developed my legal research, communication and analytical skills, along with my ability to approach sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism. I also gained a greater appreciation of the importance of handling confidential information responsibly and communicating legal information clearly.
Pro bono work helped me become more confident in applying my legal knowledge to practical situations, rather than relying solely on what I had learned academically. It encouraged me to trust my abilities, ask questions and approach unfamiliar situations with a willingness to learn. It also helped me recognise that confidence develops through experience and providing good legal support requires more than just knowing the law. It involves listening, communicating, showing empathy and adapting to each individual client.
Has pro bono work had an impact on your career ambitions?
My pro bono experience strengthened my ambition to pursue a career in law, family law in particular, where I can continue to learn and contribute meaningfully to make a positive difference.
It gave me practical ways to develop transferable skills that are valuable in a legal workplace. It also provided experiences to draw upon when discussing my motivation for pursuing a legal career and amazing examples for scenario-based questions interviewers love to ask.
Looking back, pro bono has been an important part of my development as a future legal professional. It helped bridge the gap between academic study and practical legal work, while giving me a stronger understanding of the responsibilities that come with working in law. Being recognised on the inaugural Clinical Legal Education Recognition List was particularly meaningful because it acknowledged my commitment to pro bono work. It has encouraged me to continue seeking opportunities to learn, contribute and support access to justice throughout my career.
What advice would you give to students considering pro bono experience?
I would encourage students to take the opportunity, even if they initially feel unsure of themselves or don’t feel they have enough experience. You don’t need to know everything before getting involved. A willingness to learn, listen and contribute is a great starting point.
It also gives students like me, who come from a single-parent household living in a council estate, with no legal contacts or family who have been to university, an opportunity to build connections and take control of your own legal path.
Pro bono offers an invaluable opportunity to build confidence and gain a deeper understanding of the profession while making a positive contribution to others. You can see how the law affects people in real life and understand the importance of access to justice. It allows you to develop practical skills that cannot always be gained through academic study alone, while encouraging empathy, responsibility and professional integrity.
Final thoughts
The experience can be valuable, both personally and professionally, regardless of the area of law a student eventually pursues. Pro bono reminds us why we chose to study law in the first place: not simply to understand legal principles, but to consider how that knowledge can be used to help others. It’s about understanding people and recognising the difference that accessible legal support can make.
Find out more about our pro bono opportunities and get involved today.
