Reed Smith has been a committed supporter of The Prince's Trust since 2008. United by a shared mission to transform young lives, both organizations work to equip young people with the skills and confidence necessary to 'live, learn, and earn.'
This partnership highlights a mutual commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, with The Prince's Trust serving as a strategic social mobility partner for the firm.
The Prince’s Trust supports 11-to-30-year-olds who are unemployed, struggling at school, or at risk of exclusion. By providing courses, resources, and other support, they help young people develop essential life skills, prepare for work, and access job opportunities.
Reed Smith collaborates with the charity in several key areas:
- Ongoing Pro Bono support: Last year, Reed Smith’s pro bono contributions were valued at over £40,000, allowing The Prince’s Trust to allocate more resources towards empowering young people and making a tangible difference in their lives. Recent pro bono support has included reviewing and negotiating property contracts for the charity.
- World of Work Tours: These tours provide young people with the opportunity to speak with a panel of Reed Smith employees, ask questions, and learn about the diverse career paths within a law firm, many of which do not require legal qualifications. The tours also highlight entry-level employment roles and what recruiters look for in potential employees.
- Staff volunteering: Reed Smith employees volunteer their time to network with disadvantaged young people, offering insights into the legal industry, helping to inspire and build confidence, and developing employability skills.
- Annual Partnership Fee: An annual Partnership Fee of £10,000 to The Prince’s Trust helps equip more young people with the confidence, training, and employment opportunities they deserve.
Carole Mehigan, Reed Smith’s Responsible Business Manager (EMEA), said: “It’s been an honour to work closely with The Prince’s Trust for so many years. They make a tremendous impact in supporting young people, and we are very proud to continue our longstanding partnership with them.”
Georgia Locke, Reed Smith’s Partnership Manager at The Prince’s Trust said: “At the Prince’s Trust, we are passionate about ensuring every young person has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. Our long-standing partnership with Reed Smith has been essential in achieving our mission. Reed Smith’s enthusiasm and dedication has empowered countless young individuals, equipping them with the skills and confidence to explore careers in law, while also dispelling the misconception that only qualified lawyers can pursue such careers. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing commitment to making a positive impact and look forward to seeing our partnership grow even further!"
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For more information, please visit www.reedsmith.com.
About The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust believes that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter what their background or the challenges they are facing. We help those from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity by supporting them to build the confidence and skills to live, learn and earn.
The courses offered by The Trust help young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities. We support them to find work because having a job or running a business can lead to a more stable, fulfilling life.
Since The Trust was founded by HM The King in 1976, when he was HRH The Prince of Wales, we have helped more than a million young people across the UK, and three in four of those we supported over the last five years have moved into work, education or training.
We are committed to enabling even more young people to create a better future for themselves. By helping young people today, the benefits for them, their communities and the wider economy will be felt for years to come.
Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.