Mishcon de Reya is proud to announce the establishment of the Agatha Hunt Memorial Fund and Award, a lasting tribute to our colleague and friend Agatha Hunt, whose exceptional commitment to pro bono work, volunteering, mentoring and community engagement left a profound impact on those around her.
Agatha, who died in May this year, was a talented and well-loved young lawyer who joined Mishcon de Reya as a trainee in 2022 and qualified into the Reputation Protection and Crisis Management team in 2024, becoming an integral and well-loved member of the firm.
Developed in consultation with Agatha’s family, the initiative comprises two complementary elements: the Agatha Hunt Award for Outstanding Contribution to Responsible Business and the Agatha Hunt Bursary Fund at the University of Sheffield. Together, they will celebrate Agatha’s values and create opportunities for future generations of law students and junior lawyers to make a difference in their communities.
The Agatha Hunt Award for Outstanding Contribution to Responsible Business will recognise colleagues who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to mentoring, volunteering and pro bono service — qualities that defined Agatha's contribution to the firm and wider society. It will be introduced as part of Mishcon de Reya’s annual Responsible Business Awards programme. The inaugural Agatha Hunt award will be presented posthumously to Agatha, with the honour accepted by her family. Future recipients will receive a physical award and the opportunity to nominate a charity to receive a £500 donation.
In parallel, the firm is establishing the Agatha Hunt Bursary Fund in partnership with the University of Sheffield Law School, where Agatha studied and remained actively involved after graduation. During her time at Sheffield, Agatha served as a lead volunteer in the University's pro bono clinic and continued to support mentoring initiatives long after joining the profession. The dedicated fund will provide flexible support for law students, including pro bono bursaries, mooting competition sponsorship and academic prizes awarded in Agatha's memory.
To establish and sustain the fund, the firm has committed £50,000 between now and 2032 to kick start a broader fundraising programme involving colleagues, trainees and members of Agatha's family and her friends, who will continue to play an important role in shaping and supporting the initiative.
A legacy of giving back
Agatha was widely admired across the firm for her energy, generosity and unwavering commitment to helping others. Throughout her career, she dedicated countless hours to pro bono and community initiatives, often going above and beyond to support vulnerable individuals and broaden access to justice.
Her contributions included:
- Providing pro bono advice to litigants in person through the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Centre.
- Volunteering with SPITE, supporting individuals affected by image-based abuse.
- Mentoring students through GROW Mentoring and the Sutton Trust, helping young people access opportunities within the legal profession.
- Supporting asylum seekers through Speak Street, helping participants develop English language skills and confidence.
- Supporting numerous pro bono matters relating to data breaches, reputation management, Ofcom submissions and other legal claims.
- Participating in the London Legal Walk, the Centrepoint Sleep Out, and volunteering in support of Brain Tumour Research.
- Leading fundraising efforts for Arts for All and serving on departmental responsible business committees.
- Supporting inclusion initiatives across the firm, including celebrations for Lunar New Year and Diwali.
Agatha's enthusiasm for service extended far beyond any single programme. She brought people together, inspired colleagues to become involved and consistently demonstrated the positive impact legal professionals can have in their communities.
Emma Woollcott, Partner and Head of Mishcon de Reya’s Reputation and Crisis Management team, of which Agatha was a member, commented:
“Agatha placed the highest value on generosity of spirit. She was always the first to volunteer to support others and to collaborate on initiatives which benefited our clients and our community. She understood the privilege of being a lawyer and used her skills and experience to help others to access their rights and to fulfil their potential. I am extremely proud that we are honouring her life in this way and continuing her legacy of empowerment and commitment to public service.”
Agatha's family said:
“Agatha lived her life with an unwavering belief that everyone deserves support, encouragement and the opportunity to thrive. Helping others was never something she did occasionally — it was simply who she was. She gave her time, energy and heart to so many people, and we saw every day how much joy she found in making a positive difference. While nothing can fill the space she has left in our lives, we are incredibly proud that her compassion, generosity and spirit will live on through this fund and award. We hope it will inspire others to carry forward the same sense of purpose and care for others that defined Agatha’s life."
Sheffield University commented:
“Agatha was a proud Sheffield graduate whose talent, generosity and compassion were evident throughout her degree and extended far beyond her time as a student. Agatha was an engaged and committed student; she volunteered with the University's CommLaw pro bono clinic, rising to become a group leader, mentoring other students with great skill and good humour. She took the opportunity to study abroad for a year of her degree. After graduating with a First Class Law degree in 2020, she volunteered her time with the University to share her knowledge and experience to encourage and advise students as they looked to build their future careers. Agatha’s impact on our university community is remembered with great warmth and honoured through the Agatha Hunt Bursary Fund, established in her memory.”
The Agatha Hunt Memorial Fund will officially launch later this year, with fundraising activities commencing across the firm imminently. The first Agatha Hunt Award for Outstanding Contribution to Responsible Business will be presented as part of the annual Responsible Business Awards programme. A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money for the Agatha Hunt Bursary Fund at the University of Sheffield.