O'Melveny's 2018-2019 Pro Bono Review

O’MELVENY PRO BONO PROGRAM REVIEW 2018- 2019 36 MS-13 and the extortion continued even after the gang’s initial demands for payment were met. Afraid for her life, the 17-year old fled to the US and sought asylum based on her fear of persecution. With help from O’Melveny’s London team, the young woman was able to obtain asylum and remain in the US. Supporting a Leading Orchestra in Asia O’Melveny’s team in Hong Kong has acted as official pro bono counsel to the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), a charitable organization and one of the leading orchestras in Asia. Its vision is to inspire through music. Being a lawyer to me has always been about problem-solving, and pro bono clients have some pressing problems. It feels great to help solve those. SEVDA STAYKOVA O’Melveny’s pro bono program in London is growing rapidly. In one initiative, counsel Sevda Staykova is coordinating a team of eight lawyers that, in weekly clinics hosted by the Legal Advice Centre, offers services to clients struggling with housing-related concerns, including eviction, harassment by their landlords, confusion about their mortgage, and how to apply for public housing. Working with the Centre’s seasoned solicitors has inspired the O’Melveny team to help ensure that the clinic continues to be a success. PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT Sevda Staykova O’Melveny’s London office has also recently joined forces with Consonant, an organization that provides advice to refugees. In partnership with Consonant, O’Melveny’s lawyers are assisting applicants attempting to secure UK citizenship. The firm is also participating in the UK Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono, a project that guides organizations in need of support. Sevda is a strong proponent of pro bono work, in part because of the exciting challenges that unfamiliar material brings. “Being a lawyer to me has always been about problem-solving, and pro bono clients have some pressing problems,” says Sevda. “It feels great to help solve those.” O’Melveny has advised HK Phil on various matters, including employment law, commercial contracts, and privacy issues. Presenting more than 150 concerts over a 44-week season, the HK Phil attracts more than 200,000 music lovers annually.