At Moore Barlow, we believe in the power of opportunity and in using our position to help others climb. That’s why we’re proud to be working with Be the Ladder Foundation to launch a powerful new initiative for the legal and business community: One Billable Hour.
The concept is simple. The Be The Ladder Foundation are inviting law firms to donate the value of just one billable hour. In doing so, they can help fund high-quality one-to-one tuition for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. With education gaps widening, this campaign offers a direct, practical way to support the next generation.
The power of just one hour
One hour might not seem like much, but it could change a lifetime. In fact, the value of a single billable hour can fund up to ten personalised tutoring sessions, giving a young person the skills, support and confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Some of the UK’s leading City law firms are already backing the campaign and momentum is growing fast.
Dr. Trevor D. Sterling (Hon.causa)
Senior Partner | Major Trauma, Personal Injury
Hear from Trevor…
“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t. Growing up as a working-class kid in South London, the odds were stacked against me. It was only because of a handful of people who believed in me — who became my ladders — that I built the career I have today. With One Billable Hour, we are asking City professionals to become ladders for others.
A simple hour of your time could change a lifetime.”
Dr Trevor Sterling, our Senior Partner at Moore Barlow
Why this matters
Trevor Sterling, our Senior Partner at Moore Barlow and the Founder of Be the Ladder Foundation, knows first-hand the impact of opportunity:
“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t. Growing up as a working-class kid in South London, the odds were stacked against me. It was only because of a handful of people who believed in me — who became my ladders — that I built the career I have today. With One Billable Hour, we are asking City professionals to become ladders for others. A simple hour of your time could change a lifetime.”
The need is urgent. The education gap for disadvantaged pupils is now at its widest since 2012 (Education Policy Institute), and research from the IFS Deaton Review shows that this gap has persisted stubbornly for nearly two decades.
Private tuition, a proven tool for improving academic outcomes, has traditionally been a privilege reserved for a few. Be the Ladder Foundation wants to change that.
Real impact, not just rhetoric
Every donation through One Billable Hour goes directly towards high-quality tuition for pupils who would otherwise go without. Early pilot programmes in schools have already shown promising results, improving academic performance, confidence and wellbeing.
As Ed Whittington, our Managing Partner, puts it:
“We strongly believe that where you come from should not dictate where you go.
One Billable Hour is a simple, powerful way for the legal sector to support social mobility — and to help nurture the kind of talent we want to see in the future of our profession.”
Time to step up
One Billable Hour is part of a wider programme by the Be the Ladder Foundation, which is focused on breaking down barriers and building pathways to opportunity for young people across the UK.
City law firms now have a real opportunity to lead not just in words, but in meaningful, measurable action.
We invite our peers and colleagues across the legal industry to join us. Because together, we can make every hour count.
To get involved or find out more, visit: https://www.betheladderawards.com/our-mission
