Our essay competition has been made possible by the generosity of the David and Iris Freeman Trust, who have donated to support the “life-changing” work of Lawyers Who Care. We wanted to dedicate a page in honour of the late David and Iris Freeman who were committed to social mobility and tell you a bit about what this inspiring couple achieved in their lifetimes.

 

Leaving school at 16, David Freeman (1928-2015) found work in a high street solicitor’s office. Following post-war National Service in the army, he received a grant to study law. He founded his own law firm, DJ Freeman, when he was 24. The firm (today part of a giant American law firm) became a city powerhouse, specialising in financial, real estate and media law. David’s wife, Iris (1927-97), head of employment law at the firm and formerly a child psychologist, wrote a well-known biography of Lord Denning, the great English judge. Through their firm the Freemans provided life- changing opportunities to many talented aspiring lawyers from non-affluent backgrounds, including the Foreign Secretary.