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2017 Global
Pro Bono Digest
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The2017GlobalProBonoDigestcontainsupdatesfromprobonoclearinghouses,roundtablesandotherinitiativesorganizedaroundtheworld.Section1includesupdatesfromPILnet-managedinitiativesandthoseofourpartnerclearinghouses.Section2includesupdatesfromlawfirm-ledprobonoroundtables.Thefollowingtexthasbeensubmittedbyeachinitiativeandarenotintendedtoreflectalldevelopmentswithinthatjurisdiction.Allviewsarethatofeachauthor.
Ifyouwantfurtherinformation,joinallofusattheGlobalProBonoCaféatSofitelChainBridgeonWednesday18Octoberfrom14:00-15:00.
Featuring:
§ Australia§ Belgium§ France§ Germany§ HongKong§ Hungary§ Ireland§ Italy§ Japan§ Netherlands§ Paraguay
§ Poland§ Russia§ Singapore§ SouthKorea§ Thailand§ Ukraine§ UnitedKingdom§ UnitedStates
ThisdigestwillbeavailableonPILnet’swebsiteafterthe2017Forum.Ifyouhaveupdatesyouwould liketoshareaboutyourowninitiative,pleasecontactAlixVadotbeforeWednesday25November2017:avadot@pilnet.org.
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Section 1: Clearinghouses & Non-profits
SubmittedbytheAustralianProBonoCentreContact:JohnCorker|john.corker@probonocentre.org.aulwww.nationalprobono.org.auPurpose:TheCentrewasestablishedin2002asanindependent,not-for-profitcenterofexpertiseattheUniversityofNewSouthWales.ItleadslegalprobonoservicedeliveryinAustralia,withtheprincipalobjectiveofgrowingthecapacityoftheAustralianlegalprofessiontoprovideprobonoservicesthatarefocusedonincreasingaccesstojusticeforsociallydisadvantagedandmarginalizedpersons,andfurtheringthepublicinterest.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Thedevelopmentofhealth-justicepartnerships2. Increasingnumbersoflawfirmssigninguptoandmeetingthenationalprobono
aspirationaltargetof35hoursperlawyerperyear3. Anincreaseintotalprobonohoursdrivenbymorefirmsdoingprobonolegalworkfor
asylumseekersandrefugeesTopthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Anewresourceguideforin-housecorporatecounselandcorporationsonhowtodevelopaprobonoprogramandgetinvolvedinprobonoingeneral
2. Anewguideonclientmanagementandself-careforprobonolawyers3. NeweditionsoftheCentre'sflagshippublications,"TheAustralianProBonoManual"
and“ProBonoPartnershipsandModels,APracticalGuidetoWhatWorks"Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Gettinggreaterparticipationfromacrossthewholelegalprofession2. Developingnewclinicsandprojectswhere"busylawyers"aremotivatedtoparticipate3. Developingmodelswherescarceprobonoresourcesaretargetedtowardsgreatest
unmetlegalneed.Howtogetinvolved:TheAustralianProBonoCentreisnotamemberbasedorganization.Lawyerscangetinvolvedbyjustdoingit!
Australia
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SubmittedbyAlliancedesAvocatspourlesDroitsdel’HommeContact:NoanneTennesonlAADHlallianceadh@gmail.comlwww.aadh.frPurpose:TheAllianceisthefirstinitiativeinFrancetocoordinatetheprovisionoffreelegalsupportforNGOs,non-profitorganizations,internationalinstitutionsandsocialandsolidarityenterprisesdedicatedtotheprotectionofhumanrights.Theiractivitiesincluderesearchandstudiesincomparativelaw,supportfororganizationalmanagement,administrativeandlegalsupport,andlegaladviceinthecaseofhumanrightsandchildrenrightsviolations.Theirprobonolawyers,comingfrom25lawfirms,assistandrepresentaround117NGOsandvictimsfromvulnerablegroupsinFranceandabroadincourt.AADHalsodevelopsvarioustrainingmodelsforNGOpartners,diplomatsandyounglawyers,relatingtotherespectoffundamentalrightsandthelegalconceptsnecessarytotheproperfunctioningofanorganization.Topdevelopmentinprobonointhecountry:IncreasedinterestbyFrenchlawfirmsingettinginvolvedinprobono.Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Supportforrefugeesandmigrants:TheAADHgotinvolvedinthemigrantcrisisandenabledtheopeningof"legalhouses"inCalaistohelpNGOsandrefugeesunderstandtheirrights.AADHwontheprize“CoupdeCoeurdesMigrants”
2. Internationalresearchstudyregardingwomen’srights3. CreationoftheAADHprobonoawards
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Lackoffinancialsupport2. Needformorecooperationbetweenlocalinitiatives
Howtogetinvolved:Membershipmodel.PleasecontactNoannetofindoutmore.Theclearinghouseworkscloselywithlawyerstorespondtotheirinterestsandsuggestions,andpushesthemtobeactivemembersinthedevelopmentoftheorganization.AADHregularlycommunicatesoneventsinvolvingitsmemberlawfirms,andworkstocreateincreasedcooperationamongthefirms.
France
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SubmittedbyPILnet’sHongKongProBonoClearinghouseContact:LeontineChuanglPILnetllchuang@pilnet.orglwww.pilnet.orgPurpose:PILnet’sClearinghouseinHongKongconnectsthelegalneedsofNGOsandvulnerablecommunitieswithprobonolawyers.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Morelawyersareinterestedingettinginvolvedinprobonoandlookingforopportunities
2. PILnetiscreatingmoreinnovativeandinterestingprojectsforattorneystoparticipateinprobono
3. LawfirmsinHongKongarebeginningtohirededicatedprobonocoordinatorstositintheirofficesanddrivetheirprobonoprogramslocally
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Thedevelopmentofsomelongerterminnovativeprojectsforprobonolawyerstogetinvolvedin
2. Increasedconnectionswithnewlawfirms3. PILnetandDLAPiperpublishedalandmarkcommunitylegalneedsreport,‘ThisWay-
FindingCommunityLegalAssistanceinHongKong',layingoutrecommendationsonhowprobonocanbeexpandedinthecountry
Topprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Gettingmorelocallawfirmsinterestedinprobono2. Workingtogetregulationschangedinordertomakedoingprobonoeasierforlawyers
Howtogetinvolved:ContactLeontinetofindoutifyourfirmorNGOcanjoinournetworkandaccessprobonoopportunities.
HongKong
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SubmittedbyPILnet’sHungarianProBonoClearinghouseContact:TamásBarabáslPILnetltbarabas@pilnet.orglwww.pilnet.orgPurpose:PILnet’sClearinghouseinHungaryconnectsthelegalneedsofNGOsandvulnerablecommunitieswithprobonolawyers.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Increasedcollaborationbetweenlawfirmsandcivilsocietyorganizations2. PILnetisfurtheronconsolidatinginstitutionalrelationswithlawschool-basedclinics
andleadingcivilsocietyorganizations3. Increaseinlargerandmedium-sizeHungarian/domesticlawfirmsgettinginvolvedinthe
workoftheprobonoclearinghouse Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. HintalovonFoundationcollaboratedwithPILnettoestablishaspecializedchildrenrightsclearinghouse.Theprojectinvolvedmorethan20commerciallawyersinmorethan40caseswithin6months
2. PILnetestablishedacomplianceprojectcalledBudapestBridgethatengageslawfirms,leadingNGOs,companiesandacomplianceexpertfromthebankingsector
3. PILnetstartedtodeveloplegaltoolsforNGOstoenableorganizationstoaddresseffectivelylegalcompliancechallenges
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Engagecompanies,banksandmedium-sizelawfirmsincross-sectoralprobonoprojects2. AddresstheincreasedlegalchallengesNGOsarefacingduetoclosingspaceforcivil
society3. Igniteinnovationtodesignprojectsthataddresstherootcausesofsocialproblemsand
legalanomaliesHowtogetinvolved:ContactTamástofindoutifyourfirmorNGOcanjoinournetworkandaccessprobonoopportunities.
Hungary
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SubmittedbythePublicInterestLawAlliance(PILA)Contacts:RachelPower&EithneLynchlPILAlrachel.power@flac.ie&eithne.lynch@flac.ielwww.pila.iePurpose:ToconnectsocialjusticeNGOswithprobonolegalexpertisewiththeaimofimprovingaccesstojusticeanddevelopingpublicinterestlaw.Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. AsuccessfulHighCourtcasethatsecuredtherighttoasecretballotforvisuallyimpairedpeople
2. ImpendingdecisiononaCollectiveComplaintbroughtagainstIrelandonconditionsinsocialhousing
3. NewSignatureProjectwithalargecommerciallawfirmthatassistsvictimsofdomesticviolencethroughfamilycourtproceedings
Howtogetinvolved:SignuptojoinPILAasanindividualbarristerorasalawfirm.ContactRachelandEithneformoreinformation.
Ireland
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SubmittedbyProBonoConnectContact:LaraTalsmalAmsterdamlinfo@probonoconnect.nllprobonoconnect.nlPurpose:ConnectingNGOs/civilsocietywithtoplawyersforprobonolegalassistance.Thisincludessettinguptheclearinghouse(anewphenomenonintheDutchlegalsphere)andenhancingprobonocultureintheNetherlands.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Largeincreaseintheprobonoworkcarriedout,intermsofthenumberofhoursputinbyindividuallawyersaswellasnumberofrequeststakenon
2. Probonobecomingmoreorganized:lawfirmsaredevelopingprobonopolicies,settingtargetsetc.,adevelopmentthatispartlystimulatedbyProBonoConnectandtheinteractionthatithaswithlawfirms
3. Greatervarietyinthetypesofrequests(fromcomplexcorporatequestions,tohumanrights,tofairlysimpleadvicequestionsorextensivelitigation)
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. ProBonoConnectreceivedmorethan100requestsfrommorethan50NGOsin1.5years(howlongProBonoConnecthasexisted),ofwhichnearly100havebeenmatched
2. ProBonoConnectinitiatedtheKnowYourRightsproject,aprojectwhichbroughttogetherNGOsandcommerciallawfirmstolegallyempoweryoungasylumseekers
3. ProBonoConnecthelpedshapeperhapsunexpectedbutverystrongcoalitionsinstrategichumanrightslitigation
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Navigatingconflictsinmatchingcomplexorsensitivecasesandmatters2. Notalllawfirmsexpressvalidationforprobonohourstothesameextent(lawyersare
notallowedtoregisterprobonoasbillablebyallfirms,onlybyafew)3. NGOsandcivilsocietyaretoounawareofthepossibilitiesordonotyetfullytrust
commerciallawfirmsHowtogetinvolved:PleasecontactLaraformoreinformation.
Netherlands
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SubmittedbyProgramaAbogacíaProBono–CISDEPUCContact:MonicaCácereslAsunciónlmmc@uc.edu.pyPurpose:CIDSEPUCisaninstitutiondependentontheCatholicUniversityofAsunción,Paraguay,workingautonomouslysince1985todevelopinvestigations,research,assistanceinlegalissues,etc.,inordertoimprovedemocracyandruleoflawinthecountry.In2011,CIDSEPUCstartedalegalprobonoprogramtoinstitutionalizeandorganizevoluntarylegalservicesforpeopleinneedandNGOsworkingwithvulnerablepeople.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. ThereisnostrongprobonocultureinParaguay,butmostlawyersdoprovidefreelegalservices.CISDEPUCisthefirstinitiativetodevelopaclearinghousemodel.Paraguayansocietyisveryconservative,sothishasbeenaslowprocesssofar
2. Stillneedtoinformthecommunity,lawyers,andlawfirms,ofthewaytheclearinghousefunctions
3. OtherNGOshavebeguntomimicCISDEPUC’swork,whichisgoodinthatthereisincreasedawarenessbutthereneedstobeacleardefinitionofwhatprobonoreallymeans,andhowtheworkofaclearinghouseistrulycarriedout
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Thecreationofacommunitarianorganizationofjusticepromoters(paralegals)inasmallvulnerableneighborhood,creatingabridgebetweenpeopleinneedandprobonolawyers
2. MorelawfirmshavestartedtoworkwiththeprogramtoworkspecificallywithNGOs’legalneeds
3. Thepublicationofa5-yearreportcoveringtheorganization’sworkTopthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Toobtainfinancialsustainability2. Promotemoreinvolvementamonglawyersandlawfirms(Paraguaycounts500lawyers
pereach100.000inhabitants)3. Tocreateaprobonolawyerscommitteetostudyseveralproblemsregardingpublic
demands,principallyHowtogetinvolved:ContactMonica
Paraguay
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SubmittedbyCentrumProBonoContact:AnnaWłodarczyklWarsawlbiuro@centrumprobono.pllwww.centrumprobono.plPurpose:CentrumProBono,thefirstprojectofitskindinPoland,isaclearinghouseprogramrunbythePolishLegalClinicsFoundation.ItmeetsagrowingneedforprobonolegalaidinPoland.ItisanimportantnetworkthatmatchesNGOswithlawfirmswillingtoprovideprobonolegalaid.Throughclosecooperationwith30Polishfirms,CentrumProBonoundertakesvariouseducationalprojectsaddressedtoNGOs.TheyalsorunaperiodicalProBonoRoundtable,anopportunityforPolishfirmsandlegalprofessionalstomeetanddiscussprobonodevelopment.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. StrategiclitigationandcreativeadvocacycarriedoutbytheHelsinkiFoundationforHumanRightsandPolishSocietyofAnti-DiscriminationLaw.HFHRorganizedanalternativeCitizens’PublicHearingonthegovernment’sdraftlawonanti-terroristactivities.AfteranapplicationforaproperpublichearingattheparliamentarystagewasrejectedatasessionoftheSejm’sAdministrationandInternalAffairsCommittee,acitizens’publichearingwasorganizedinanattempttocreateaforumtohearthevoicesandpositionsofvariousstakeholders
2. CentrumProBono'sactivityingeneral3. ConstitutionalWeekheldbyprobonolawyersinPolishpreliminaryschoolsinPoland,
raisingawarenessabouttheConstitutionthroughlecturesTopsuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. LawyersfromCentrumProBonocollaboratedwithCPBandheldlegallecturesandworkshopsatWarsawhighschools,providinganintroductiontolaborlawandtaxlawforstudentsattendinglawandsocialscience-relatedcourses
2. CooperationwithNGO.PLinan"Asklawyersabout..."jointprojectcarriedoutbyCentrumProBonoandNGO.PL.Lawyersansweredquestionsconcerningvariousbranchesoflaw.Answerswerethenpublishedonlineat:http://poradnik.ngo.pl/wiadomosci/podobne/2010617.html
Howtogetinvolved:ContactAnnaatbiuro@centrumprobono.pltoreceivecases,probonoeducationalprojectspropositions,andinvitationstoProBonoRoundtablemeetings.OtherNGOsgivinglawyerstheopportunitytodoprobonoworkincludetheHelsinkiFoundationforHumanRightsandthePolishSocietyofAnti-DiscriminationLaw
Poland
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SubmittedbyPILnet’sRussianProBonoClearinghouseContact:DmitryShabelnikovlPILnetldshabelnikov@pilnet.orglwww.pilnet.orglMoscowPurpose:PILnet’sClearinghouseinRussiaconnectsthelegalneedsofNGOsandvulnerablecommunitieswithprobonolawyers.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Theconceptofprobonohasbecomemainstreamamonglawfirmsandlawyers2. Somebarassociationsnowembraceprobonoatthelocallevel3. Barleadershipiscautiouslybeginningtosupportprobonoasatrade-offforthe
purposesofprotectingtheirproposedmonopolyoncourtrepresentation(rightnow,thebardoesnothavethat,andmanycorporatelawyersarenotmembers)
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. AnongoingprojectheadedbytheCenterforAutismProblemstoreformtheregulationandpracticesinthefieldofinclusiveeducationforchildrenwithautismspectrumconditions
2. Advicetoacharitythathelpsfamilieswithchildrensufferingfromrheumaticdiseases,sothattheycontinuetoreceivesubsidized,vitallyimportantmedicinesafterhavingbeenstrippedofdisabilitystatus
3. CreatingapersonaldataprotectionsystemforanNGOhelpingorphanagegraduatestointegrateinthesociety
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Developingprobonooutsidethebigcities2. Conflictsofintereston"sensitive"matters3. ProbonobrandbeingusedforPRpurposesincaseswheretheassistanceisnot
completelyfreetotheclient,orisusedformattersthatarenotinthepublicinterestHowtogetinvolved:Thereisnomembership.Thereisscreeningtomakesurelawfirmsandlawyersareprofessionalandqualified.ContactDmitryformoreinformation.
Russia
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SubmittedbytheLawSocietyProBonoServicesContact:TanguyLimlLawSocietyltanguy@lawsoc.org.sglprobono.lawsociety.org.sgPurpose:Weprovideclearinghouseprogramstoassistindividuals(legaladviceandcriminallegalrepresentation)andnon-profitorganizations(legaladvice,corporatelegalservices).Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Thescalingupofprobonoparticipationbythelegalprofession2. Theuseofpublic-private-peoplepartnershipsasthepreferredplatformforsupporting
largescaleprobonoprograms3. Theharnessingofinformationtechnologydevelopments(e.g.artificialintelligence)to
streamlinedemandfor/allocationofprobonoresourcesTopthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:Thesuccessfulscalingupofprobonoprogramsusingpublic-private-peoplepartnershipsfor
1. Publiclegalliteracy2. Legalclinics3. Criminallegalrepresentation
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Probonoisperceivedbylawyersasathreattotheirlivelihood2. Capacitybuildingandtrainingoflawyerstovolunteerinareaswhichtheydonot
typicallypracticein3. Engagingthein-housecounselcommunityforprobono
Howtogetinvolved:IflocatedinSingapore,emailvolunteer_pbso@lawsoc.org.sgtoregisterasavolunteer.
Singapore
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SubmittedbyGongGamHumanRightsLawFoundationContact:PillkyuHwanglSeoullhopenvision@naver.comlwww.kpil.orgPurpose:Topromotepublicinterestlawyeringandprobonowithbarassociations,lawfirms,individuallawyersandprospectivelawyersandlawstudentsTopthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Recruitmentandnetworkingoffull-timeprobonodirectorsinalmostallKoreanmajorlawfirms
2. Increasednetworkingoffull-timepublicinterestlawyers3. EstablishmentofSeoulBarAssociationProBonoAssistanceCenter
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Successfullyhandingoverthecoordinatingroleoflawfirmprobonodirectors'meetingtolawfirmsthemselves
2. Organizingactiveworkamongfull-timepublicinterestlawyers,e.g.publicationofalegislativeadvocacymanual
3. StabilizingtheworkofSeoulBarAssociationProBonoAssistanceCenterastheheadofthecenter
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Lackofprobonocoordinationbetweenlawyersandthoseinneed2. Lackofprobonocultureinmanylawfirms3. Toomuchfocusonlawyers'self-interestregardingtheactivitiesofthebarassociation
Howtogetinvolved:GongGamworksthroughnetworking.LawyersandlawfirmscancontactGongGamdirectlyathopenvision@naver.comorjoinvariousplatformsandnetworksGongGamisinvolvedin(SeoulBarAssociationProBonoAssistanceCenter,theSocietyonDisabilitiesLaw,etc.)
SouthKorea
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SubmittedbytheUkrainianProBonoClearinghouse/UkrainianLegalAidFoundationContact:MykolaSiomalKyivlsioma@ulaf.org.ualpro-bono.in.ua&ulaf.org.uaPurpose:ToacceleratethedevelopmentofUkrainiandemocraticsocietybycombiningcivicinitiativeswithrealprobono.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. ULAFstartedtosendanewslettertoprobonoproviders2. ULAFnowdistributesindividualapplicationstolawyers,NGOs,andlawfirms,andno
longersendsunnecessaryinformationtovariousprobonoproviders3. ULAFnegotiatedwiththeNationalBarAssociation(whichrepresents40,000attorneys
acrossthecountry)torecognizelawyers’probonoworkofficiallyandtoadvertizeprobonomatterstomemberlawyersaswellasontheAssociation’swebsite.
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. TheUkrainianProBonoclearinghousehelpedtocreateseveralAll-UkrainianNGOsthatarealreadyactivelyrepresentingvulnerablepopulationsthroughoutUkraine
2. CreationofanetworkoflawyersandlawfirmsthatarereadytoprovideprobonoTopthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. ULAFiscontemplatingthecreationofa'ProBonoclub'forproviders.Whatcouldbetopicsforthefirstgatherings?
2. Ukrainian-basedlawfirmsdonotwanttoprovideprobonoforwell-knownNGOs,because,accordingtofirms,theirfundingallowsthemtopayforsuchservices
3. UkrainianNGOsdonotunderstandwhatkindofrequeststheycansendtotheclearinghouse–potentialclientsmustberemindedoftheopportunitytoreceiveprobonolegalservices
Howtogetinvolved:Individuallawyersareallmembersofthebar,whichwillannouncetheopportunitytoparticipateinprobonoandreceivebenefitssuchasfreeeducation.ULAFisalsocollectingsuccessstoriestopublishinthemedia.AtaJuly2017gathering,firmsexpressedinterestedingatheringstodiscussthelatestissues(notonlyinthesphereofjurisprudence,buteveninaninformalsetting).Thisishowtheideaofa“ProBonoClub”,andissuestodiscuss,hascomeup.
Ukraine
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Section 2: Law Firm Roundtables
SubmittedbytheBrusselsProBonoRoundtableContacts:CharlesAlbertHelleputte,MayerBrown&MarieanneMcKeown,PILnetlchelleputte@mayerbrown.com&mmckeown@pilnet.orgPurpose:TheRoundtablewasestablishedinJune2015byPILnettoexchangebestpractices,serveasameetingplatformandfosterthedevelopmentofaprobonoculturewithinlawfirmsthatarenotactiveinthearea.TheRoundtablemeetsonaveragebi-monthly.1-2NGOsareaskedtopresentontheirworkandprobononeedsateachmeeting.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Reductioninlegalaidhasledtoanincreaseindemandforprobonoservices2. Increaseddemandforpartnershipswithcorporateclientsintheprobonosphere3. Assistanceforrefugees
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. ProBonoassistancetoobtaincompensationforvictimsoftheBrusselsattack2. ProbonointhesphereofEUlawisgainingmomentum3. Continuedinterestinandgrowthoftheroundtablemembership
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Needforaclearinghouseandafundingmodeltosustainit2. Needtoincreasetheparticipationofdomesticfirms3. Needtofindprobonoprojectstoreflectthemixofexpertiseontheground
Howtogetinvolved:Noformalmembershipprocess.ContactMarieannetoreceiveemailupdatesand/orjoinameeting.
Belgium
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SubmittedbyProBonoDeutschlande.V.Contacts:PeterBraun,SpeakeroftheBoardofPBD&DentonslKarinaFlecther,GeneralSecretary&FreshfieldsBruckhausDeringerlFrankfurtlinfo@pro-bono-deutschland.orgPurpose:“ProBonoDeutschlande.V.”wasfoundedinFebruary2011.Itsmembers,allofthemlawfirms,arecommittedtoprovidingprobonolegalservicesforcharitablecausesaspartoftheircivicengagement.TheAssociationendeavorstoachievegreaterrecognitionandamorewidespreadimplementationoftheconceptofprobonolegaladviceamonglawyers.ThemainpurposesoftheAssociationare:
• ProvidingasustainableplatformforinformationofmemberfirmsonprobonoandCSR• SupportofprobonoinfrastructureinGermany• Supportoflawclinicsatnationaluniversities• Dialoguewithstakeholders,inparticularbarorganizations• OrganizingandsponsoringeventsrelevanttotheAssociation'spurpose
Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. ProBonoDeutschland,incollaborationwithUPJ,issettingupanationalclearinghouseforlegalprobono,whichwillbeformallylaunchedinJanuary2018
2. Increasedrecognitionofprobonobybarorganizations3. IncreasedinterestinprobonolegalworkbyNGOs
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:ThegreatestchallengeremainstherecognitionofprobonoinGermany.TherearestillminoruncertaintiesaroundworkingprobonoforGermanclients.ProBonoDeutschlande.V.willcontinuetoworktowardstheremovalofthosestatutoryhurdlesandtoimprovetheregulatoryframework.Afurtherchallengeistheneedtoeducatethelegalandcharitablesectorabouttheconceptofprobonoandtoprovidemoreinformationonhowtoprovideprobonolegaladvice.TheexistingengagementoflawyersinthisfieldneedstobemademorevisibleandpromotedmorestronglyamongstNGOs.ThisisoneoftheAssociation’stoppriorities.Howtogetinvolved:TheAssociationisfundamentallyopentoalllawyersandlawfirmswillingtocommitthemselvestotheprincipleofprobonolegaladviceandabletorendersuchadvisoryservices.Wemeetevery4to6weeksoverlunchinFrankfurt,withlawyersresidinginotherlocationsregularlydialingin.FormoreinformationcontactPeterBraunandKarinaFletcher.
Germany
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SubmittedbytheHongKongProBonoRoundtableContact:AnnetteBainlDLAPiperlHongKonglannette.bain@dlapiper.comPurpose:Increaseaccesstojustice:tonetworkandstrengthenprobonoinfrastructure,identifylocallegalneed,andbuildthepipelineofprobonowork.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. LaunchofPILnetandDLAPiperjointpublication'ThisWay-FindingCommunityLegalAssistanceinHongKong'
2. Establishmentof'ThisWay'taskforcetoimplementthe24recommendations3. InauguralProBonoGlobalLeadersAsiaSummitheldinHongKongtodevelopincreased
cooperationandcollaborationforlawfirmstoincreaseprobonodeliveryandimpactTopthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. TheRoundtablehasestablisheditsownSteeringCommitteetoplanandpreparemorefocusedagendaswhichshouldgeneratemoreprobonowork
2. Settingaprobonotargetisontheagendaoftheroundtable3. Increasingly,lawfirmsaresendingthesamedesignatedpersontorepresentitatthe
roundtableandnotjustanyonewhoisavailable.Thisgreatlyincreasesthelevelofawarenessanddecision-makingcapacityamongtheattendees
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Lackofawarenessofgapsinlegalaccessformarginalizedpeople2. Legalprofessionalregulatorybarrierse.g.anNGOcannotemployalawyer3. Nolegalclearinghouseforindividuals
Howtogetinvolved:ContactAnnette.
HongKong
18
SubmittedbyProBonoItalia(PBI)Contact:GiovanniCarotenutolCarotenutoStudioLegale&PBIlRomeandMilanlsegreteria@carotenutolex.comPurpose:PBIwasestablishedinMay2017asthefirstassociationoflawyers,lawfirmsandforensicassociationseverlaunchedinItalytopromoteaprobonoculturethroughoutthecountry.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. LaunchofPBI2. ReformoftheThirdSector3. Increaseinlocalprobonoinitiativesbyinternationallawfirms
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. LaunchofPBI2. OrganizationoftheEUProBonoMasterclassincollaborationwithTheGoodLobbyin
RomeandMilan3. Organizationoftwomajorevents,onmigrantsandtheReformofThirdSector,dueto
takeplacebyMarch/June2018Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Needfornewlegislationconcerningprobono,includingtaxreliefforproviders2. Lackofaprobonoculturethroughprofessionalsandcivilsociety3. Developingamodelforsuccessfullytacklingtherefugeecrisis
Howtogetinvolved:
1. GetintouchwithPBIbysendinganemailtoGiovannioranyBoardmember2. ParticipateinroundtablesregularlyheldinRomeandMilan3. ParticipateinPBI’sevents.
Italy
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SubmittedbyTokyoProBonoRoundtableContact:ShotaryMaruyamalDLAPiperlTokyolshotaro.maruyama@dlapiper.comPurpose:
Thepurposeistoincreaseaccesstojustice:tonetworkandstrengthenprobonoinfrastructure,identifylocallegalneed,andbuildthepipelineofprobonowork.
Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. FindingopportunitiestodolegalworkforindividualswiththeJapanAssociationofRefugees
2. ReferralofprobonomattersfromJapaneselawfirmstogloballawfirmse.g.whenaninternationalpartyisinvolved
3. GrowingconnectionwithNGOsTopsuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. ConnectingwiththeJapaneselawfirmprobonogroup2. Increasedfrequencyofthemeetingsishelpingthegrouptofocusandplan
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Legalprofessionalregulatorybarriers2. Lackofawarenessofunmetlegalneed3. LackofknowledgeoflocalNGOs
Howtogetinvolved:ContactShotaryforfurtherinformation.
Japan
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SubmittedbytheBangkokProBonoRoundtableContact:BethanyRoselThomsonReuterslbethany.rose@thomsonreuters.comPurpose:Increaseaccesstojustice:tonetworkandstrengthenprobonoinfrastructure,identifylocallegalneed,andbuildthepipelineofprobonowork.Topdevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. EffortstorespondtotheneedsofmigrantworkersandrefugeesincampswhicharebeingclosedalongtheThai-Myanmarborder
2. ConnectingwiththeAsianLawStudentsAssociationwhichhas36,000members.ALSAislookingforprobonoopportunitiesforitsmembers
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Makingtheroundtablearegularoccurrence2. Attendancehasgrownfromabout8ayearago,toabout20attendeesnow3. TheRoundtablereceiveslogisticsupportfromThomsonReutersTrustLawBangkok
whichactsasasecretariat-managingtheinvitationlist,sendingtheinvitationandagenda,coordinatingthehostfirms
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Identifyingthegreatestareaoflegalneed2. ConnectingwithlocalNGOs3. Legalprofessionalregulatorybarriers
Howtogetinvolved:ContactBethanyRose.
Thailand
21
SubmittedbytheUKCollaborativePlanforProBono
Contact:PaulYates(paul.yates@freshfields.com)lStasKuzmierkiewicz(stas.kuzmierkiewicz@dlapiper.com)lRebeccaGreenhalgh(rebecca.greenhalgh@ashurst.com)lLondonPurpose:TheUKCollaborativePlanforProBonoprovidesavehicleforfirmstopubliclyreinstatetheircommitmenttoprobonoandaccesstojustice,toshareknowledgeandmaterials,tocollectivelydevelopnewprobonoprojectsandtosharedataontheirprobonopractices.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Thecontinuingafter-effectsofcutstocivillegalaid2. Amoveawayfromone-offadviceforindividualstowardsend-to-endcasework3. Anincreaseinnumberoffull-timeprobonolawyersemployedbylawfirms
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. Developingcollaborativelegalclinics2. SupportingprofessionaldevelopmentoftheprobonosectorviaUKademy3. Increasedcross-sectorengagement/collaboration
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Navigatingthefaultlinesbetweenprobonoforindividualsandcivillegalaid2. WorkingwithNFPadvicecenterswhichareundergreatpressure3. Workingwithin-houselawyers.
Howtogetinvolved:ContactPaul,StasorRebeccaformoreinformation.
UnitedKingdom
22
SubmittedbytheAssociationofProBonoCounsel(APBCo)Contact:BrennaDeVaneylAPBCocoversUSA(mostly)aswellasUK,Australia,andEuropelapbco@apbco.orglwww.apbco.orgPurpose:Tomaximizeaccesstojusticethroughthedeliveryofprobonolegalservicesby:advancingthemodelofthefull-timelawfirmprobonocounsel;supportingandenhancingtheprofessionaldevelopmentofprobonocounsel;servingasthevoiceofthelawfirmprobonocommunityTopthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:
1. Increasedcollaborationamonglawfirmstoaddressseriouspublicpolicyconcerns2. Continuedprofessionalizationandinstitutionalizationoflawfirmprobono3. Developmentandgrowthofprobonoprogramsincorporatelegaldepartments
Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:
1. APBCohelpedleadtheefforttosupportcontinuedfederalfundingforlegalaid2. APBCocreatedorganizationalstructurestodistributeprobonoopportunitiesamong
memberfirmsregardingissueslikeimmigrationrestrictions3. APBCocementeditsstatusasthevoiceforlargelawfirmprobonointheUnitedStates
Topthreeprobonochallengesinthecountry:
1. Anever-increasingdemandforbothdirectlegalaidtolow-incomeclientsandimpactworkonbehalfofcommunitiesadverselyaffectedbycurrentfederalgovernmentpolicy
2. ProbonointheUSreliesheavilyonarobustlegalaidsystem,andreducedfundingforlegalaidisamajorchallengetotheprobonocommunity
3. Thereisanever-presentorganizationalchallengetoprobonobecause,historically,the"system"isactuallyahodge-podgecollectionofindividualfirmandattorneyrelationshipswithlegalaidorganizations--ratherthanawellthought-outstructure
Howtogetinvolved:APBComembershipisprimarilymadeupofattorneyswhocurrentlymanagealawfirmprobonopracticeonafull-timebasis.Othercategoriesofeligiblemembersinclude:non-attorneyswhomanagealawfirmprobonopracticeonafull-timebasis;non-attorneyswhoprovideprogrammaticsupporttoanAPBComemberonafull-timebasisandaresponsoredbythismember.Consideredonacase-by-casebasisbytheBoardofDirectorsordesignee:attorneyswhocurrentlyspendapproximately50%ormoreoftheirtimemanagingalawfirmprobonopractice.
UnitedStates
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