The American Bar Association has reported a rise in the number of lawyers who are representing pro bono clients across the globe. There has been an increase in law firms, corporate legal departments, public interest networks and bar associations partnering with nongovernmental organisations, clearinghouses and local legal counsel. A study of pro bono activity identified initiatives in 71 jurisdictions around the world. American lawyers are assisting women, migrant workers, refugees, immigrants, prisoners and victims of human trafficking and other disadvantaged people seeking legal recourse for discrimination, violence, injustice and corruption.
There are many reasons which account for the growing interest in global pro bono activities. US law firms with international operations engage in local public service work to better integrate into communities. Additionally, some lawyers are encouraged to engage in access to justice and building democratic structures based on political events, for example, in the wake of the Arab Spring. There are also increasing regulations and recommendations from the Bar Association which suggest a minimum of hours which should be spent on pro bono work. The Council of the International Bar Association adopted the Pro Bono Declaration, which calls on lawyers, law firms and bar associations to provide pro bono legal service as an integral part of their work. The declaration emphasises that “access to justice for all individuals is a human right”.
Lawyers are obtaining their pro bono assignments from entities like PILnet, the Vance Centre for International Justice, Advocates for International Development and TrustLaw Connect. These organisations find opportunities with NGOs and local counsel and connect them with interested firms and lawyers. Edwin Rekosh, founder and president of PILnet says it was particularly difficult to establish the concept of pro bono in China, where no words existed for it. However in May PILnet held its inaugural Asian pro bono forum in Hong Kong, and had an excellent uptake from law firms, law schools and other entities in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Here at PILA, we are engaging in this brand of work with our Pro Bono Referral Scheme that connects Irish communities and NGOs to legal expertise. We aim to make it easy for lawyers to use their specialist skills, and easy for organisations to get the help they need to enhance their policy and advocacy work. We facilitate referrals for legal advice, law reform working groups, legal education sessions and litigation. We also broker unique partnerships between partner organisations and legal practitioners.
Click here to read the article from ABAJournal.
Click here to visit the International Bar Association’s Pro Bono website.
Click here to visit PILnet’s Pro Bono website.