02 December 2008

Herbert Smith has been rewarded for its pro bono services at the Guardian's annual Public Service Awards.

The legal firm won the Citizenship and Volunteering category at the awards, which are into their fifth year and, according to the company, are used as "a benchmark of public service excellence".

Schemes such as a volunteering partnership with Thomas Buxton Junior School in Tower Hamlets and pro bono services for death row prisoners in the Caribbean were highlighted by the newspaper as two notable examples of the company's work over the last year.

Commenting on the accolade, chief operating officer for Herbert Smith Norman Green stated: "We are delighted to receive this award, recognising as it does an important and distinguishing aspect of our culture that we are very proud of."

Ashurst, Freshfields Bruckhaus Derigner and Linklaters were among the winners at the British Legal Awards, which were held late last month.