There are so many life-affirming projects the largest firms do that receive little attention. Helping with relief efforts in Afghanistan, advising individuals affected by the Windrush scandal, aiding family reunions, fighting human rights violations, supporting pandemic projects, pushing to abolish slavery and more. You can read about the stand out pro bono mandates of the year here.

Every firm is always proud of its pro bono efforts, but that alone is not actually very helpful for potential recruits and others hoping to distinguish between them. That is why Law.com International decided to produce annual rankings showing which firms are the best for pro bono in the U.K.

When we first raised the idea a few years ago there was opposition from some corners of the industry. Surely you can't measure good works? Perhaps not, but you can measure pro bono hours. And you can measure other things, such as the percentage of lawyers who do pro bono work and the number of people devoted to such efforts at each institution.

That debate is over and this year marked the widest survey yet on the topic, meaning the contest to enter the top 10 was the fiercest on record.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer topped the ranking after producing a staggering increase in pro bono hours through the pandemic. But it was by no means the only firm that has had an impressive year. Shearman & Sterling, Reed Smith, Dechert and Latham & Watkins all deserve a mention. And there are many more.

I'd highly recommend a look at the final article, produced by Hannah Roberts.

The stats and stories are interesting. But the wider point is not simply about pro bono work per se. The amount of pro bono work a firm is involved in points to the kind of firm it is. It shows graduates – who tend to nowadays be very interested in such things – and others what kind of values they have.

That's why it is important that so many firms now count pro bono efforts as part of their lawyers' utilisation targets, with Eversheds Sutherland and Reed Smith among the latest to have started including it. Nothing shows firms care about pro bono more than when they are prepared to take a financial hit.

It all comes at an interesting time for the industry, when so many firms across the world are attempting to conjure up a stance on what their purpose is in society. The problem many of them face is that they're trying to come up with the slogan first, which will then inform their lawyers and staff about what they stand for.

Perhaps they have it the wrong way around. Firms that are actually diverse – rather than just saying they care – and that do lots of pro bono work – rather than just talking about it – don't really need a slogan to define their purpose. They are already a force for good in society.

Eco Lawyers

Anna-Marie Slot, Lorraine Johnston and Eleanor Reeves, Ashurst partners at COP26.

Remember remember the fifth of November…

It would be nice if COP26 went down in history as an important event. The Glasgow gathering is, after all, "possibly the most important climate conference of our lifetime", according to Herbert Smith Freehills chief executive Justin D'Agostino.

Law firms are out in force at the event with dozens sending lawyers, providing speakers and hosting events. As well as reporting on firms' efforts, Law.com International has been running a daily blog written by lawyers on the ground from Herbert Smith Freehills and Ashurst. They explain not only what is happening each day, but also what it all means and what the mood is among delegates. Check them out here:

COP26 Blog: Ready, Set, GO

COP26 Blog: Goodbye Leaders, Hello Negotiators

COP26, Day 3: Methane, Deforestation and Article 6

COP 26 Blog: How to Spend $130 Trillion

COP26 Blog: HSF, Ashurst Lawyers Tackle Energy Issues

And in case you're wondering whether we look at firms' environmental efforts rather than just their rhetoric. Yes, we do.