LONDON - Allen & Overy (A&O) has recruited the founder of Advocates for International Development (A4ID), Chris Marshall, as the head of its pro bono and community affairs department.

Marshall will join the magic circle firm in the New Year after spending six years at Reed Smith, where he was pro bono and community manager for the firm's Europe, Middle East and Africa offices.

A4ID is a not-for-profit organisation which provides lawyers to advise on legal matters in developing nations, working in connection with Make Poverty History.

Marshall is experienced in human rights-related issues with a particular focus on the European Convention on Human Rights. He is also a member of the Attorney General's pro bono co-ordinating committee .

Marshall's appointment is intended to bolster A&O's pro bono programme and expand it across the firm's global office network.

A&O social investment head Susan Hazledine said: "One of the key objectives for our pro bono programme is to use our global network to best effect, and Chris's experience on major international projects fits perfectly with that. We're very proud to have him in our team."

Reed Smith corporate and social responsibility partner Michael Skrein said: "Chris has done a tremendous job for our pro bono and community programmes at Reed Smith and we wish him all the very best at A&O. Pro bono and community work is a core value of Reed Smith. By the end of this year we anticipate 85% of our UK fee earners will have been engaged in a pro bono matter. Our programme will continue; it is an important part of what we do."