Global Pro Bono Digest - 2018 PILnet Global Forum · 2 The 2017 Global Pro Bono Digest contains updates from pro bono clearinghouses, roundtables and other initiatives organized around

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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:[email protected].

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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:[email protected]: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:[email protected]: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:TamásBarabá[email protected]:PILnet’sClearinghouseinHungaryconnectsthelegalneedsofNGOsandvulnerablecommunitieswithprobonolawyers.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. Increasedcollaborationbetweenlawfirmsandcivilsocietyorganizations2. PILnetisfurtheronconsolidatinginstitutionalrelationswithlawschool-basedclinics

andleadingcivilsocietyorganizations3. Increaseinlargerandmedium-sizeHungarian/domesticlawfirmsgettinginvolvedinthe

workoftheprobonoclearinghouse Topthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:

1. HintalovonFoundationcollaboratedwithPILnettoestablishaspecializedchildrenrightsclearinghouse.Theprojectinvolvedmorethan20commerciallawyersinmorethan40caseswithin6months

2. PILnetestablishedacomplianceprojectcalledBudapestBridgethatengageslawfirms,leadingNGOs,companiesandacomplianceexpertfromthebankingsector

3. PILnetstartedtodeveloplegaltoolsforNGOstoenableorganizationstoaddresseffectivelylegalcompliancechallenges


1. Engagecompanies,banksandmedium-sizelawfirmsincross-sectoralprobonoprojects2. AddresstheincreasedlegalchallengesNGOsarefacingduetoclosingspaceforcivil

society3. Igniteinnovationtodesignprojectsthataddresstherootcausesofsocialproblemsand

legalanomaliesHowtogetinvolved:ContactTamástofindoutifyourfirmorNGOcanjoinournetworkandaccessprobonoopportunities.

Hungary

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SubmittedbythePublicInterestLawAlliance(PILA)Contacts:RachelPower&[email protected]&[email protected]: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)


1. ProBonoConnectreceivedmorethan100requestsfrommorethan50NGOsin1.5years(howlongProBonoConnecthasexisted),ofwhichnearly100havebeenmatched

2. ProBonoConnectinitiatedtheKnowYourRightsproject,aprojectwhichbroughttogetherNGOsandcommerciallawfirmstolegallyempoweryoungasylumseekers

3. ProBonoConnecthelpedshapeperhapsunexpectedbutverystrongcoalitionsinstrategichumanrightslitigation


1. Navigatingconflictsinmatchingcomplexorsensitivecasesandmatters2. Notalllawfirmsexpressvalidationforprobonohourstothesameextent(lawyersare

notallowedtoregisterprobonoasbillablebyallfirms,onlybyafew)3. NGOsandcivilsocietyaretoounawareofthepossibilitiesordonotyetfullytrust

commerciallawfirmsHowtogetinvolved:PleasecontactLaraformoreinformation.

Netherlands

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SubmittedbyProgramaAbogacíaProBono–CISDEPUCContact:MonicaCácereslAsunció[email protected]: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


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:[email protected],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)


1. AnongoingprojectheadedbytheCenterforAutismProblemstoreformtheregulationandpracticesinthefieldofinclusiveeducationforchildrenwithautismspectrumconditions

2. Advicetoacharitythathelpsfamilieswithchildrensufferingfromrheumaticdiseases,sothattheycontinuetoreceivesubsidized,vitallyimportantmedicinesafterhavingbeenstrippedofdisabilitystatus

3. CreatingapersonaldataprotectionsystemforanNGOhelpingorphanagegraduatestointegrateinthesociety


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


1. Probonoisperceivedbylawyersasathreattotheirlivelihood2. Capacitybuildingandtrainingoflawyerstovolunteerinareaswhichtheydonot

typicallypracticein3. Engagingthein-housecounselcommunityforprobono

Howtogetinvolved:IflocatedinSingapore,[email protected].

Singapore

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SubmittedbyGongGamHumanRightsLawFoundationContact:[email protected]:Topromotepublicinterestlawyeringandprobonowithbarassociations,lawfirms,individuallawyersandprospectivelawyersandlawstudentsTopthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. Recruitmentandnetworkingoffull-timeprobonodirectorsinalmostallKoreanmajorlawfirms

2. Increasednetworkingoffull-timepublicinterestlawyers3. EstablishmentofSeoulBarAssociationProBonoAssistanceCenter


1. Successfullyhandingoverthecoordinatingroleoflawfirmprobonodirectors'meetingtolawfirmsthemselves

2. Organizingactiveworkamongfull-timepublicinterestlawyers,e.g.publicationofalegislativeadvocacymanual

3. StabilizingtheworkofSeoulBarAssociationProBonoAssistanceCenterastheheadofthecenter


1. Lackofprobonocoordinationbetweenlawyersandthoseinneed2. Lackofprobonocultureinmanylawfirms3. Toomuchfocusonlawyers'self-interestregardingtheactivitiesofthebarassociation

Howtogetinvolved:GongGamworksthroughnetworking.LawyersandlawfirmscancontactGongGamdirectlyathopenvision@naver.comorjoinvariousplatformsandnetworksGongGamisinvolvedin(SeoulBarAssociationProBonoAssistanceCenter,theSocietyonDisabilitiesLaw,etc.)

SouthKorea

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SubmittedbytheUkrainianProBonoClearinghouse/UkrainianLegalAidFoundationContact:[email protected]&ulaf.org.uaPurpose:ToacceleratethedevelopmentofUkrainiandemocraticsocietybycombiningcivicinitiativeswithrealprobono.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. ULAFstartedtosendanewslettertoprobonoproviders2. ULAFnowdistributesindividualapplicationstolawyers,NGOs,andlawfirms,andno

longersendsunnecessaryinformationtovariousprobonoproviders3. ULAFnegotiatedwiththeNationalBarAssociation(whichrepresents40,000attorneys

acrossthecountry)torecognizelawyers’probonoworkofficiallyandtoadvertizeprobonomatterstomemberlawyersaswellasontheAssociation’swebsite.


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,[email protected]&[email protected]:TheRoundtablewasestablishedinJune2015byPILnettoexchangebestpractices,serveasameetingplatformandfosterthedevelopmentofaprobonoculturewithinlawfirmsthatarenotactiveinthearea.TheRoundtablemeetsonaveragebi-monthly.1-2NGOsareaskedtopresentontheirworkandprobononeedsateachmeeting.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. Reductioninlegalaidhasledtoanincreaseindemandforprobonoservices2. Increaseddemandforpartnershipswithcorporateclientsintheprobonosphere3. Assistanceforrefugees


1. ProBonoassistancetoobtaincompensationforvictimsoftheBrusselsattack2. ProbonointhesphereofEUlawisgainingmomentum3. Continuedinterestinandgrowthoftheroundtablemembership


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:[email protected]:Increaseaccesstojustice:tonetworkandstrengthenprobonoinfrastructure,identifylocallegalneed,andbuildthepipelineofprobonowork.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. LaunchofPILnetandDLAPiperjointpublication'ThisWay-FindingCommunityLegalAssistanceinHongKong'

2. Establishmentof'ThisWay'taskforcetoimplementthe24recommendations3. InauguralProBonoGlobalLeadersAsiaSummitheldinHongKongtodevelopincreased

cooperationandcollaborationforlawfirmstoincreaseprobonodeliveryandimpactTopthreesuccessesorachievementsoftheinitiativeinthelastyear:

1. TheRoundtablehasestablisheditsownSteeringCommitteetoplanandpreparemorefocusedagendaswhichshouldgeneratemoreprobonowork

2. Settingaprobonotargetisontheagendaoftheroundtable3. Increasingly,lawfirmsaresendingthesamedesignatedpersontorepresentitatthe

roundtableandnotjustanyonewhoisavailable.Thisgreatlyincreasesthelevelofawarenessanddecision-makingcapacityamongtheattendees


1. Lackofawarenessofgapsinlegalaccessformarginalizedpeople2. Legalprofessionalregulatorybarrierse.g.anNGOcannotemployalawyer3. Nolegalclearinghouseforindividuals

Howtogetinvolved:ContactAnnette.

HongKong

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SubmittedbyProBonoItalia(PBI)Contact:GiovanniCarotenutolCarotenutoStudioLegale&[email protected]:PBIwasestablishedinMay2017asthefirstassociationoflawyers,lawfirmsandforensicassociationseverlaunchedinItalytopromoteaprobonoculturethroughoutthecountry.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. LaunchofPBI2. ReformoftheThirdSector3. Increaseinlocalprobonoinitiativesbyinternationallawfirms


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


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


1. Makingtheroundtablearegularoccurrence2. Attendancehasgrownfromabout8ayearago,toabout20attendeesnow3. TheRoundtablereceiveslogisticsupportfromThomsonReutersTrustLawBangkok

whichactsasasecretariat-managingtheinvitationlist,sendingtheinvitationandagenda,coordinatingthehostfirms


1. Identifyingthegreatestareaoflegalneed2. ConnectingwithlocalNGOs3. Legalprofessionalregulatorybarriers

Howtogetinvolved:ContactBethanyRose.

Thailand

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SubmittedbytheUKCollaborativePlanforProBono

Contact:PaulYates([email protected])lStasKuzmierkiewicz([email protected])lRebeccaGreenhalgh([email protected])lLondonPurpose:TheUKCollaborativePlanforProBonoprovidesavehicleforfirmstopubliclyreinstatetheircommitmenttoprobonoandaccesstojustice,toshareknowledgeandmaterials,tocollectivelydevelopnewprobonoprojectsandtosharedataontheirprobonopractices.Topthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. Thecontinuingafter-effectsofcutstocivillegalaid2. Amoveawayfromone-offadviceforindividualstowardsend-to-endcasework3. Anincreaseinnumberoffull-timeprobonolawyersemployedbylawfirms


1. Developingcollaborativelegalclinics2. SupportingprofessionaldevelopmentoftheprobonosectorviaUKademy3. Increasedcross-sectorengagement/collaboration


1. Navigatingthefaultlinesbetweenprobonoforindividualsandcivillegalaid2. WorkingwithNFPadvicecenterswhichareundergreatpressure3. Workingwithin-houselawyers.

Howtogetinvolved:ContactPaul,StasorRebeccaformoreinformation.

UnitedKingdom

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SubmittedbytheAssociationofProBonoCounsel(APBCo)Contact:BrennaDeVaneylAPBCocoversUSA(mostly)aswellasUK,Australia,[email protected]:Tomaximizeaccesstojusticethroughthedeliveryofprobonolegalservicesby:advancingthemodelofthefull-timelawfirmprobonocounsel;supportingandenhancingtheprofessionaldevelopmentofprobonocounsel;servingasthevoiceofthelawfirmprobonocommunityTopthreedevelopmentsinprobonointhecountry:

1. Increasedcollaborationamonglawfirmstoaddressseriouspublicpolicyconcerns2. Continuedprofessionalizationandinstitutionalizationoflawfirmprobono3. Developmentandgrowthofprobonoprogramsincorporatelegaldepartments


1. APBCohelpedleadtheefforttosupportcontinuedfederalfundingforlegalaid2. APBCocreatedorganizationalstructurestodistributeprobonoopportunitiesamong

memberfirmsregardingissueslikeimmigrationrestrictions3. APBCocementeditsstatusasthevoiceforlargelawfirmprobonointheUnitedStates


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.

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Global Pro Bono Digest - 2018 PILnet Global Forum · 2 The 2017 Global Pro Bono Digest contains updates from pro bono clearinghouses, roundtables and other initiatives organized around

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