International law firm Reed Smith has acted for long standing pro bono client Fairbridge on its merger with The Prince's Trust.

Fairbridge, a charity that works to support disadvantaged young people across the UK, has been a pro bono client of Reed Smith's for over six years. In that time, Reed Smith has advised them on their property requirements and also corporate, tax and employment issues on a pro bono basis.

A team of Reed Smith lawyers provided advice to Fairbridge in connection with structural, constitutional and employment aspects of the combination and also provided advice on the detailed terms of the integration with The Prince's Trust.

On 25 January the two youth charities announced that they will merge on 1 April 2011 with a vision of delivering a more joined-up, wide-ranging service for an increased number of disadvantaged young people. The united organisation, which will be called The Prince's Trust, will help around 50,000 young people over the course of the next year alone. The Fairbridge programme will sit alongside established Prince's Trust schemes such as the Enterprise Programme which helps young people into business.

The announcement comes as the UK Government calls on the voluntary sector to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in order to secure funding. The two charities are confident that their decision to integrate will help drive more funds into the youth sector at a critical time for disadvantaged and unemployed young people.

The Reed Smith team was led by partner James Wilkinson and included fellow partners Ian Fagelson and Laurence Rees, associate Katalina Chin and trainee Philip Kim.

James Wilkinson, partner and head of the firm's European and Middle East Corporate Group, commented:
"We have supported a variety of Fairbridge's initiatives over the years so we were only too pleased to provide legal support on a pro bono basis for this important strategic move for the charity. Combining two charities is a complex process but we believe the outcome of the deal will secure the long term future of Fairbridge and preserve its underlying charitable objectives. We were of course delighted to make our legal expertise available to support such an excellent charitable organisation. We look forward to working on future opportunities with both Fairbridge and The Prince's Trust."

Malcolm Dunn, partner and head relationship partner for Fairbridge, commented:
"Reed Smith has been an enthusiastic supporter of Fairbridge for over six years now and many lawyers and staff have been involved in activities at their centres, youth programmes and in fund raising. I am delighted that we have been involved in this combination which I am sure will help to secure future grant funding and mean that the tremendous work that Fairbridge do with young people will continue and flourish. I am pleased that we will continue to be a primary legal advisor to the Fairbridge activities within the integrated Prince's Trust as we continue to look for increased opportunities for Reed Smith on its pro bono and volunteering programme."

John Anderson, Company Secretary from Fairbridge added
"In understanding Fairbridge's needs over a period of time, Reed Smith has been able to provide truly comprehensive legal assistance. Whether urgent or routine, our requests for help have always been met to an exceptionally high standard regardless of our pro bono status. The relationship has allowed us access to a quality of service that precisely fits our needs. The time they've taken to understand what we do has meant Reed Smith were invaluable advisors in the complex process of deciding whether to merge with The Prince's Trust and how to go about it now that decision has been made."

ENDS

Note to Editors:
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global law firm, with 22 offices and nearly 1,600 lawyers in offices across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

For further information please visit www.reedsmith.com or contact Jeyda Star (PR Manager EME) on +44 (0)20 3116 2571.

About Fairbridge
Working out of 15 centres in the UK, Fairbridge is a national charity supporting young people aged 13-25 to develop the confidence, motivation and skills they need to turn their lives around. In 2009/10 85% of the young people we worked with achieved a positive outcome such as returning to the classroom, starting a college course, finding a job or are still engaged with the Fairbridge programme.

For more information visit www.fairbridge.org.uk