Shireen Irani won the first LawWorks Junior Lawyers Division pro bono award at the LawWorks annual awards ceremony last night.

She won the award for developing i-pro bono, an independent not-for-profit organisation connecting bodies in need of legal assistance with lawyers and students who want to use their legal skills.

City firm Charles Russell won the award for the best contribution by a law firm, for its long-term commitment to pro bono.

Ruth Creed, senior solicitor in the healthcare team at national firm Mills & Reeve, won the best contribution by an individual, recognising the ‘breadth and diversity’ of her commitment and for her role in setting up a free legal advice clinic.

The award marking the best partner-level engagement within a law firm went to Hugh Welch at Newcastle upon Tyne firm Muckle.

Muckle also won the award for the best contribution by a regional firm.

The award recognising the best contribution by an in-house team went to Visa, for its activities helping a number of charities with IP, commercial and data protection.

The award for partnership on pro bono was given to regional firm Shoosmiths and CommuniCare Legal Advice Clinic, a centre in East Reading.

And the award for the best contribution by a pro bono coordinator went to Tony Suarez-Martinez at US firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge.

The awards were judged by Law Society president Linda Lee, former solicitor general Vera Baird QC, and Guardian journalist Ros Taylor.