Read the IBA Pro Bono Committee Newsletter, May 2017

 

From the files Friday 

A regular feature highlighting a roundup of topical pro bono content from the Pro Bono Committee’s archives. For the month of October, which is host to anti-poverty week, IBA Law Student Committee member Emily Wright has located several examples of pro bono contributions and advocacy impacting poverty alleviation internationally.

• During the 2012 IBA Annual Conference, a  Lawyers Against Poverty showcase session and panel discussion focused on the causes of poverty and ways lawyers can facilitate change (video).
• Joss Saunders, General Council at Oxfam, discusses the legal issues underpinning the charity’s work in fragile and conflict-affected states (article).
• Stanislaus Kennedy, known as Sister Stan, highlights her work with Focus Ireland on homelessness and the role of lawyers in bringing about structural and social change through the law (article).
• Appleseed, a nonprofit network of public interest justice centers which aim to expand access to justice, opportunity and education features a Financial Access Brochure to help combat poverty among the Latin American immigrant community (program material).

Latest Articles:

Refugee crisis accounts for huge spike in pro bono legal activity

The emergence of a highly active pro bono sector is among the most notable – and edifying – developments in legal practice over the last two decades. Increasing numbers of commercial lawyers, it appears, are seeking ways to apply their skills to the provision of life-changing support for those most in need. Within the last year, the international refugee crisis has provided significant additional impetus for pro bono work.

Click here for the full article

IBA Pro Bono Committee Chair featured in Who's Who Legal's Article, 'Pro Bono - The Inside Story'.

On 2 December 2013, New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman announced that out-of-state lawyers employed as in-house counsel in New York would be able to provide pro bono legal services. This follows similar moves in Illinois, Virginia and Colorado. According to Lippman, only 20 per cent of the civil legal needs of New York's low-income residents were met in 2012 and the state hopes this development will help fill the gap.

Corporate pro bono is on the rise throughout the world and the timing could not be better - the difficult economic climate and legal aid cuts have led to a dramatically increased demand for free legal services from underprivileged sections of society. Recent developments throughout the world have helped to break down some of the barriers formerly hindering in-house counsel's involvement and have unleashed a section of the legal profession which was previously dormant. In this special feature, Who's Who Legal delves into the corporate world to find out the inside story of pro bono.

Click here for the full article.

 

Please see the IBA Pro Bono Declaration.

Please see the IBA website.

Please see the IBA pro bono project for Group Member firms and member bar associations.

Please see the International Rule of Law Directory website.