PILA staff recently attended the 5th annual PILnet Global Pro Bono Forum, which took place on 17 and 18 November in Berlin. The Forum was focused on maintaining the momentum and expanding the growth of pro bono work by lawyers in a climate of economic uncertainty - particularly for those who face obstacles accessing justice. PILA's sister project in Northern Ireland, the PILS Project were also in attendance at this excellent global event.
The Forum was noteworthy both for the large numbers of international law firms and lawyers in attendance, and (despite the Forum's name!) a definite global reach with delegates from countries including Brazil, India, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States. The forum had over 300 lawyers and non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders in attendance. PILnet Executive Director Edwin Rekosh said that "One of the most remarkable developments in the field of law over the past decade, in Europe and around the globe, has been the rapid expansion of pro bono". TrustLaw reported from the Forum that the pro bono community "is gathering force around the world due to growing needs from aid agencies hit by the financial crisis and a surge of young lawyers raring to leap in and help".
European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Viviane Reding, gave a videolink presentation at the Forum where she stated the European Commission and pro bono advocates were "fighting for a common cause - equal access to justice is our driving force." You can watch Commissioner Reding's presentation here.
As the host country, there was special focus on the pro bono climate in Germany during the conference proceedings. In that jurisdiction, substantial pro bono projects are difficult to come by, according to research by international law firm Latham & Watkins. Kathrin Wieland, chief executive of Save the Children Germany said that Germany owes its growing pro bono experience to international firms importing the culture and to student exchanges. PILnet honoured Frankfurt-based Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP partner Dietmar Knopp with an award for his "extraordinary contribution to the development of pro bono culture in Europe." Knopp is one of the founders of the Frankfurt Pro Bono Roundtable, an influential force in the nascent German pro bono landscape.
PILnet also sought to recognise the importance of partnerships between NGOs and lawyers, by awarding the Helsinki Foundation and Dewey & LeBoeuf for their work in Warsaw to "establish a long-running collaborative relationship that strengthens the impact of the Foundation's mission and provides crucial support for the development of pro bono in Poland."
On an Irish note, Siobhan Cummiskey (Managing Solicitor at the Dublin-based ITM Law Centre) gave a well-received presentation in a workshop session focused on how pro bono initiatives can assist European-based NGOs working on Traveller and Roma issues. Additionally, Padraic Kenna (FEANTSA Expert Group on Housing Rights and NUIG) gave a presentation in a workshop session on European migration issues.