O'Melveny's 2018-2019 Pro Bono Review

O’MELVENY PRO BONO PROGRAM REVIEW 2018- 2019 34 Personal Independence Payment Appeals O’Melveny collaborated with Horizon Legal Advice Clinic to win an appeal on behalf of an HIV-positive client against the UK Secretary of State. The claim was for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a type of social security that helps with the extra costs caused by long-term illness or disability. The appeal was part of a program between O’Melveny (together with several other firms in London) and Horizon Legal Advice Clinic to assist people in their claims for PIP. In another collaboration with Horizon Legal Advice Clinic, O’Melveny assisted a young mother with cancer in her PIP appeal following a denial of benefits issued by the UK Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Following the appeal, the client was awarded compensation for daily living expenses. Horizon described the outcome as “a phenomenal result and the best Horizon has achieved at tribunal level so far.” Government Financial Support Another collaboration with Horizon Legal Advice Clinic resulted in an appeals victory for a client with kidney failure, who was awarded enhanced payments for five years. The appeal resulted in a significant revision of the Department for Work and Pension’s original assessment that the client did not merit PIP. Work in Europe and Asia O’Melveny’s pro bono efforts extend to all of the firm’s attorneys around the world. Every office engages in pro bono work, which frequently requires the firm’s lawyers to navigate the unique policies and procedures of foreign governments and courts. Assisting a Hong Kong Nonprofit O’Melveny prepared franchise agreements for Comfort Me, a Hong Kong–based enterprise focused on designing and providing undergarments to breast cancer patients. Comfort Me is hoping to spread its vision of making comfortable, protective, and beautiful undergarments for breast cancer survivors across Asia. Innovative Community Building The lawyers in O’Melveny’s London office have been working with the Peckham Cart Go Cart. O’Melveny client The Peckham Cart, headed by Laura Harrisson (left) and Sam Oxley, sold doughnuts to raise money to support the low-income neighborhood of southeast London.