LawWorks role description: Trustee

Role: LawWorks Trustee

Hours: Variable, the equivalent of two days per quarter Four board meetings per year, with annual board away day and occasional (optional) events.

Salary: Unremunerated. Reasonable expenses will be paid.

Term of Office: Three-year term, renewable to a maximum of nine years.

Location: Board meetings are usually in-person (with the option for online) with no more than two in-person trustee away days (usually in London). Individual meetings with trustees, the CEO and key stakeholders can be carried out online, in person or by phone, as most convenient.

About LawWorks

LawWorks is a charity committed to enabling access to justice through the power of pro bono. We work with solicitors, in house legal teams, law schools and volunteers to deliver free legal advice to people who cannot afford it and are excluded from legal aid. As we approach our 30th anniversary in June 2027, we continue to strengthen and diversify our services, expand our community partnerships, and support the profession in delivering high quality pro bono work.

We are now seeking 2–4 new Trustees to join our Board and help lead the charity into its next decade. We particularly welcome applicants who bring one or more of the below:

• Diversity of background and lived experience.

• Experience of running pro bono programmes within law firms, in-house teams or law schools, or experience of close proximity to the pro bono ecosystem.

• Fundraising, income generation, or strategic development experience.

Digital, data or technology transformation experience.

Experience of building and nurturing relationships with external stakeholders, for example through work with public bodies, the legal sector, civil society or community organisations, and confidence in contributing to the charity’s profile and influence over time.

• Experience of leading a not-for-profit organisation.

Applicants are not expected to meet all the criteria listed above. We are looking for a range of experiences to help strengthen the existing experience on the Board. LawWorks values transferable skills, lived experience and the ability to develop relationships as part of the role, and we welcome both experienced trustees as well as those for whom it would be their first time on a board.

Role purpose

Trustees share responsibility for the strategic direction, governance, and long term sustainability of LawWorks. Working closely with the Chair, CEO and management team, Trustees help ensure the charity remains effective, financially resilient, and is able to deliver high quality pro bono support to communities across England and Wales.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Contribute to shaping and approving LawWorks’ strategy, vision, and long term priorities.

• Support innovation as LawWorks develops new approaches to pro bono delivery.

Governance and oversight

Ensure that LawWorks complies with charity law, company law, regulatory requirements and best practice in governance.

Oversee financial health, risk management, and performance against strategic objectives.

• Participate actively in Board meetings and, where appropriate, sub committees.

Advocacy and ambassadorship

Act as an advocate for the charity and champion our mission within the legal profession and beyond, using their own style, experience and networks, and with appropriate support from the organisation.

• Support fundraising, partnership development and stakeholder engagement.

• Support & Challenge

• Provide constructive challenge and guidance to the Chief Executive and senior leadership team.

• Promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Promote a diverse and inclusive culture internally and externally.

Person specification

We welcome applications from candidates with a wide range of skills and backgrounds. Experience in charity governance or previous trustee roles is not required, nor is a legal degree; training and induction will be provided.

Essential attributes

1. Commitment to LawWorks’ mission and values, including a belief in access to justice and the importance of pro bono.

2. Strategic and analytical thinking skills.

3. Ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse Board.

4. Willingness to uphold the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and governance.

5. A strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable experience (one or more of the following):

You should not be discouraged from applying if you do not meet all (or any) of the criteria listed below. We are keen to hear from candidates who bring different combinations of skills, experiences and perspectives.

1. Experience of running pro bono programmes within law firms or in-house teams

LawWorks operates as a professional volunteering charity, drawing on the professional skills of solicitors across England & Wales. We are keen to recruit trustees with either the experience of developing and delivering pro bono activities, or a close proximity to the pro bono ecosystem.

2. Experience of running pro bono programmes within a law school setting

LawWorks oversees a nation-wide network of pro bono legal clinics, with a majority operating through law schools. We are keen to recruit trustees with experience of pro bono activities within a legal education setting to support our strategic development in this area.

3. Fundraising, income generation, or strategic development experience

We would particularly welcome applicants with experience of developing funding partnerships, building sustainable revenue streams, or having contributed to an organisation’s long term strategic growth. The ability to identify opportunities, nurture relationships, and support the charity to diversify and strengthen its income base would be especially valuable to the Board.

4. Digital, Data, or Technology Transformation

Like many organisations we are considering our work through the lens of widescale technological change and the impact of AI. We are keen to recruit at least one trustee with experience in: leading or advising on digital transformation; digital service design or innovation; technology strategy or organisational digital maturity and/or Legal Tech and AI.

5. Experience of engaging with, or working alongside, public bodies and external stakeholders

LawWorks plays a vital role in promoting and developing a thoughtful voice for the pro bono sector within the access to justice community. We are keen to recruit trustees who have experience wither in, or working with, public bodies, that may help strengthen LawWorks’ visibility and partnerships.

This does not require pre-existing senior level contacts or networks.

6. Experience of leading a not-for-profit organisation

LawWorks is both a not-for-profit and the provider of services to not-for-profit organisations. We are keen to ensure that we have trustees with experience of working in the not-for-profit sector, in order to bring their perspective to the Board.

7. Diversity of background

We strongly encourage applications from people who reflect the communities we serve, including those from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and applicants based outside of London.

Practical requirements

1. Availability to attend quarterly Board meetings (in London or hybrid).

2. Willingness to sit on a Board subcommittee where appropriate.

3. Prepared to act as an ambassador at events and engage with key stakeholders from time to time.

4. LawWorks is committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure these requirements are accessible to all trustees.

How to apply

Please submit a CV, and A short statement (1–2 pages) outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process. Please let us know if this would support your participation.

Applications should be sent to: applications@lawworks.org.uk

Deadline: 31 May 2026. Interviews to be held in June.

Informal conversations are welcome. Please contact Rebecca Wilkinson, CEO, to arrange a discussion.

LawWorks is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from under represented groups to help us build a truly diverse and inclusive organisation.