We are proud to announce that 20 Stewarts lawyers have been recognised on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List, which celebrates legal professionals across England and Wales who have each dedicated 25 hours or more to pro bono legal assistance over the past year. Twelve lawyers were recognised in the 2025 list and the increase in the number recognised this year demonstrates Stewarts’ commitment to Pro Bono work.
The Pro Bono Recognition List was established three years ago under the sponsorship of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee and is endorsed by the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, The Baroness Carr of Walton‑on‑the‑Hill. The initiative is supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council, CILEX and all major pro bono organisations, and recognises solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives working in private practice and in‑house.
In her message supporting the 2026 List, the Lady Chief Justice highlighted the long history of lawyers volunteering their time to provide free legal advice and representation to individuals and charities who would otherwise be unable to access legal help. While pro bono is not a substitute for legal aid, she emphasised its important role within the wider justice system, working alongside the advice sector to help those most in need. She also noted that individual contributions often go unrecognised, despite the meaningful impact they have within local communities.
Stewarts lawyers recognised on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List:
- Andrew Benzeval – Partner
- Sian Buxton – Senior Associate
- Stephanie Clarke – Partner
- Andrew Dinsmore – Partner
- Charles Edwards – Partner
- Nichola Fosler – Partner
- Megan Goodyer – Legal Director
- Rebecca Hill – Legal Director
- Anjali Krishnan – Partner
- Jodee Mayer – Pro Bono Manager
- Peter Neenan – Partner
- Peregrine Redgrave – Partner
- Lucy Robinson – Partner
- Ben Rogers – Partner
- Clare Salmon – Partner
- Kara Smith – Partner & Head of Pro Bono
- Hayley Symington – Senior Associate
- Charlotte Tan – Senior Associate
- Ben Townsend – Partner
- Anna Wiseman – Partner
Speaking about the recognition, Kara Smith, partner and head of Pro bono says: “This recognition reflects the professionalism, generosity and commitment of our colleagues, and we are delighted to see their contributions acknowledged alongside thousands of lawyers across the profession.”
In addition to those who can be recognised on the list, we want to acknowledge the significant contribution that is made to Pro Bono by other lawyers at the firm, including our 6 full time Pro Bono paralegals Isabel Bates, Julia Debiec, Tugay Gucel, Grace Murray, Harriot Sloane, and Emily Stockton, and trainee Harry Holmes who acted pro bono for a client in a complaint against an airline.
Pro bono at Stewarts
Stewarts provides the free and comprehensive Legal Service, coordinated by our Pro Bono team, as part of the firm’s commitment to helping people with serious injury regardless of whether or not they have a legal claim.
Each year, Stewarts provides more than 10,000 hours of free legal advice and assistance, covering a broad range of legal areas including debt, pension and insurance matters. Our pro bono work includes extensive legal support for individuals with serious and life‑changing injuries and illness, as well as work undertaken in partnership with a number of leading access‑to‑justice organisations.
More information on our pro bono work completed in 2025 is available in our 2026 Injury Group Annual Review.
In this short video, our Pro Bono team’s Kara Smith and Jodee Mayer explain the free legal and practical support the team provides to our clients and their families, for as long as help is needed.
