Make that 72 Countries!

Esther Lardent with attendees of South Korea’s first pro bono symposium
Photo courtesy of Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

The PBEye was thrilled when the latest update of its global pro bono atlas, prepared by Latham & Watkins LLP*†, grew to include 71 jurisdictions.  Imagine our delight when we learned we could add a 72nd – South Korea.

On December 14, 2012, PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent traveled to Korea to participate in the country’s first pro bono symposium.  The event was hosted by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC and the Dongcheon Foundation, which serves as BKL’s pro bono arm and a resource for pro bono more generally throughout Korea.  The goal of the symposium was to share knowledge about pro bono best practices in the United States and the current state of pro bono in Korea.

Top leaders from Korean law firms, officers of the Korea and Seoul Bar Associations, and other prominent leaders of the legal profession participated in the symposium and provided valuable insight into South Korea’s pro bono culture.  Sessions focused on how the nation and its law firms could expand and coordinate pro bono services.  The event also brought together pro bono coordinators from Korean law firms and representatives from public interest organizations such as Gong-Gam.  We learned that attendees have followed pro bono developments in the U.S., including the activities of PBI as well as the pro bono efforts of U.S. law firms, for years.

Lardent gave the keynote address on PBI, its Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®,and pro bono trends and best practices, and spoke on panel presentations with Korean law firm leaders.  David Lash from O’Melveny and Myers LLP* and Harlene Katzman from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett * - two U.S. firms that now have offices in Seoul – also presented at the symposium, providing invaluable insights on how to structure and administer successful law firm pro bono programs.   Lash, Katzman, and Lardent spent a busy week in Korea, meeting with BKL’s leadership, public interest and law school leaders, and the media.  Lash also conducted a well-attended session on pro bono service for BKL’s lawyers.

In addition to presentations and meetings, Lardent conducted extensive interviews with prominent Korean newspapers, including the Law Times and Chosunilbo, the largest newspaper company in South Korea.

It appears inevitable that the increasing number of Korean law firms and public interest groups would reach the current tipping point at which they are now committed to improving and enhancing the country’s pro bono culture and practice.  The country appears to be in a perfect storm that will allow pro bono to expand – a solid and growing economy, a highly educated populace, a sharp increase in the number of law schools and law graduates, a surprising number of large and mid-sized law firms with sophisticated corporate practices, and the recent implementation of free trade agreements with the U.S. and EU that have liberalized the entry of global firms (14 at last count) into Korea.

We thank our hosts at Bae, Kim & Lee and the Dongcheon Foundation for their generosity in supporting PBI’s travel to South Korea, their hospitality and kindness, and their deep commitment to pro bono service.  And look for a few of our new Korean friends at the 2013 PBI Annual Conference!

Esther Lardent with law firm representatives from the United States and South Korea
Photo Courtesy of Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project

PBI’s Got Seoul

PBI is often called upon to share our expertise in law firm, in-house, and global pro bono.  Just last week, we released, in conjunction with Latham & Watkins LLP*†, a survey of pro bono practices and opportunities in more than 70 countries—from Angola to Venezuela—that describes the legal landscape and provides essential details about local legal aid programs, unmet legal needs, and rules that shape the framework for pro bono legal services.  In addition, we frequently serve as resources and trainers for pro bono programs around the world.   In that capacity, we help organize and participate in a variety of events worldwide—most recently in Mexico—that have proven useful in helping develop a culture of pro bono in emerging markets.

This week, we’ll be traveling abroad again.  PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent will be traveling to Seoul, South Korea, to participate in South Korea’s first pro bono symposium, hosted by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC.  This symposium couldn’t be timelier as many large law firms are rushing to set up offices in South Korea, now that the country has begun to liberalize its legal market.  More than 15 U.S. and U.K. firms have either opened branches in Korea or have announced that they intend to do so in 2013.

Lardent will be presenting an introduction and overview of pro bono activities in the U.S.  Other topics will include best practices for administering law firm pro bono programs, promoting pro bono work and engaging law firm lawyers, and gaining support from firm management.  Lardent will also be participating in a separate roundtable discussion with representatives from O’Melveny and Myers LLP*, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP*, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, and other Korean-native firms.

We were first introduced to the emerging pro bono culture in South Korea in 2006, when we met with and advised a delegation of lawyers who were on a listening tour of the U.S. to generate ideas and best practices that they could take back home, adapt, and implement.  We are excited to participate in this symposium and look forward to learning more about the current state of pro bono in Korea.  Don’t forget to check out Esther’s live tweets from Seoul!

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project

Your Guide to Global Pro Bono is Here

PBI is pleased to introduce the 2012 edition of Latham & Watkins LLP’s* “Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in Select Jurisdictions.” A compilation of reliable and locally sourced information, the 2012 Survey offers chapters on more than 70 countries – from Angola to Venezuela – that describe the legal landscape and provide essential details about local legal aid programs, unmet legal needs, and rules that shape the framework for pro bono legal services.

The survey is a useful tool for law firms, legal departments, and others interested in understanding pro bono services around the globe and who seek preliminary guidance on establishing programs and projects that are most effective.  An introductory resource, the survey helps make global pro bono more accessible.

When originally published in 2005, the survey reported on pro bono opportunities in 11 jurisdictions, mostly in Europe.  Latham updated the Survey in 2010 to cover more than 40 jurisdictions.  Now, with great effort from legal staff and attorneys in Latham’s 31 global offices – as well as local counsel, NGOs, and in-house counsel around the world  – the Survey spans countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific region, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.

So, now, when faced with any of the following questions, the answers are right at your fingertips:

• Can foreign lawyers in Brazil provide pro bono legal services?
• Are there legal service providers in Hong Kong that offer pro bono opportunities for lawyers?
• Does the culture in Kenya or Mexico support pro bono legal services?
• Are there opportunities for lawyers interested in pro bono in Jordan? Montenegro? Turkey?
• How has pro bono grown in England and Wales?

For those interested in some of the common themes and trends highlighted in the survey, check out the November 2012 edition of The Wire for a column by PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent.

Press Release: Far-Reaching “Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities” Covering More than 70 Jurisdictions Launches

More Info: Behind the Scenes of the 2012 “Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities

For more information about global pro bono contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Director Tammy Taylor.

*denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®

Protecting Women from Violence with Pro Bono

On November 25, the world celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Around the world, violence against women and girls has become one of the most pervasive tragedies of our time. According to UN Women, up to 70 percent of women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. The group also states that acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war combined, in women ages 15 to 44.

These statistics are among the reasons why the United Nations designated a day of recognition to promote awareness of violence against women. In honor of the brutal 1960 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists from the Dominican Republic, the day is meant to solemnly remind the world of the great injustices suffered by females.

Unfortunately, violence against women is a complex issue that takes many forms. It can be as extreme as female genital mutilation, a harmful practice experienced by approximately 100 to 140 million girls and women around the world. It can also occur in more common ways, such as domestic violence, a cruelty suffered by 3 million women a year in the U.S.

While ending violence against women is undoubtedly a daunting task, attorneys have eagerly risen to the challenge. Indeed, for many lawyers, the fight to end violence extends well beyond a designated day, as law firms devote countless pro bono resources to protect the basic human rights of women.  Here are a few inspiring examples:

• Many lawyers assist immigrants that have been victims of violence and provide them with crucial legal representation. Lawyers at K&L Gates LLP*†  ensured that an immigrant from Benin, Africa would not be forced to make her daughter undergo genital cutting. After the client’s request for asylum was denied, her attorneys proved that if she was deported and sent back to Benin, her then five- year- old daughter would be forced to undergo the dangerous operation. In addition, lawyers at Ballard Spahr LLP*† have launched a U-Visa practice group to assist immigrants who have been victims of crime, often domestic violence, gain legal status in the United States. In the two years that the program has existed, more than two-dozen Ballard Spahr lawyers have volunteered to assist 18 clients in applying for U-Visas. The first visa was granted to a woman from Guatemala in April 2012. She was in a mentally and physically abusive relationship and decided to take action when her partner tried to strangle her. Because of the assistance she received from her pro bono attorneys, she has escaped her abusive partner and can now live her life without fear.
• Other lawyers are taking steps to help craft legislation designed to protect women in the countries where it is most needed. For example, lawyers at the London office of Dechert LLP* are collaborating with Oxfam to launch a pro bono project called Raising Her Voice that aims to empower women in Africa. They are working to produce a high-quality legal analysis on the state of the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees comprehensive rights to females and aims to eliminate harmful practices against women. Furthermore, attorneys at Baker & McKenzie*†  have partnered with in-house counsel at Accenture** and Caterpillar, Inc.**  to assist the organization PILnet in crafting legislation designed to protect women from socio-economic and sexual exploitation in Nepal. Members of this pro bono team have already presented to Nepali legislators and are working to ensure that Nepali women are no longer victims.  Indeed, these organizations are working diligently to ensure that the legal system represents and protects women against violence.
• In addition to their work abroad, many firms have taken steps to prevent violence against women closer to home by advocating on behalf of domestic violence victims. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C.*† has dedicated a large portion of its time and pro bono resources to its Domestic Violence Project.  Since the project started in 1989, the firm has represented more than 750 victims.  Currently, the firm is representing Crystal Harris, a woman who was brutally attacked by her husband.  Under California law, their client was forced to pay temporary support to her abuser before his prison sentence.  Her lawyers are working to determine the best options for her and have even assisted a California assembly member in creating legislation that protects domestic violence victims’ rights.  Perkins Coie LLP*† is another firm that has committed to representing women who have been harmed by their significant others.  Lawyers in the firm’s Chicago office have devoted many hours to helping people who come to the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse help desk seeking emergency orders of protect against their abusers.  In Virginia, the firm assisted a woman and her three daughters in obtaining a protective order against her husband, who set fire to the house and threatened them if they went to the authorities.

While these cases have fortunate endings, countless do not.  The reality faced by millions of women, particularly in developing nations, is tragic.  Yet, as these cases illustrate, lawyers have a unique ability to protect the human rights of women and end the pandemic of violence.  Every woman should have the basic right to live her life without fear of violence, and pro bono work is a wonderful way to give a voice to the millions of women whose lives have been affected by this issue.

Has your firm assisted any women who were victims of violence? If so, we’d love to hear from you.  Leave us a comment below and tell us about it.

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project
** denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM

Global Pro Bono Goes for the Gold

As the world is captivated by the majesty of the Summer Olympic Games, we at The PBEye can’t help but think about the connection between the games and PBI’s Global Pro Bono Project.  Beyond showcasing athletic triumph and heartbreak in its most celebrated and esteemed platform, the Olympic Games serve as a reminder of the global community we, both as individuals and citizens of our respective countries, exist in every day.  The same is true for the Global Pro Bono Project, which aims to support the increase of pro bono culture, policies, and practice in the legal profession around the world.  While global pro bono is still in its beginning stages, recent expansions point toward a promising future.  Just as participation in the games has ballooned from 13 countries in the first modern Olympics held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, to now 205 countries, interest in global pro bono continues to grow.

Currently, the Global Pro Bono Project offers a number of resources for pro bono enthusiasts going for the gold in global pro bono:

• The Global Pro Bono Atlas details the pro bono culture in different nations
• The Global Pro Bono Spotlight features global pro bono success stories
• The PBI webinar “Exploring In-House Global Pro Bono” addresses the intersection of global corporate citizenship and engagement within a legal department (to access the webinar, contact CPBO Project Assistant Eric Florenz).

To learn more about global pro bono, legal departments and ACC Chapters should contact CPBO Director Eve Runyon, and law firms should contact Law Firm Pro Bono Project Director Tammy Taylor.  In the meantime, cheers to all of the athletes and all of the pro bono participants around the world!

Hat tip to PBI intern Ben Gloger for his help on this post.

The Wheels on the Bus….

Pro bono clients, especially those in rural areas, often do not have the means to travel to a more populated city or town to receive legal assistance.  Mobile clinics are becoming a popular way to reach out to remote and underserved clients in need of help.  More than ten years ago the Winnebago of Justice was created in California, as a revival of the concept of a bookmobile, to be the nation’s first mobile legal self-help clinic.  Here are a few examples of innovative models of mobile pro bono assistance:

• Nixon Peabody*† participated in a pro bono project through the “Bus de la Solidarite du Barreau de Paris” which was started in 2003 by the Paris Bar Association.  The project aims to provide low-income people throughout the Paris area with free legal advice.  The bus travels to several disadvantaged areas in Paris looking for clients to help.  Nixon Peabody sends lawyers to volunteer on the bus for three-hour sessions, where they give advice on a variety of legal issues including housing, immigration, and labor.  Lawyers receive thorough training before volunteering for their first time on the bus.
• In 2007, OneJustice created the Justice Bus^®Project by organizing and training California’s urban law students and busing them to rural California to staff free legal clinics in conjunction with rural host partner organizations.  Many summer associates from Paul Hastings LLP*† and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP*†, among others, have participated in the Justice Bus^® Project.  Under the supervision of experienced attorneys, law student volunteers conduct intake, draft legal documents, and provide self-help education.  Students at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law also staff their own mobile bus clinic. The “Justice Bus” expands the ability to provide pro bono service beyond the Pheonix Metropolitan area.
• University of Detroit Mercy School of Law created Project SALUTE, a Veteran’s Law Clinic, which is supported by a custom-designed 31 foot Mobile Law Office, built and donated by General Motors Company**.  Since 2008, the program has provided pro bono assistance to more than 800 veterans and trained more than 300 lawyers to serve as pro bono veteran advocates in Michigan.  In addition to serving Michigan, Project SALUTE has helped veterans in more than 13 states across the country.

Do you know of other innovative mobile models providing pro bono assistance?  If so, feel free to drop us a comment below!

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project
** denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM

VIDEO: WDPB – David Patterson, International Development Law Organization

Often pro bono work stands to impact other areas beyond just the law itself or a specific legal situation.  Pro bono has the power to affect positive change in greater societal issues such as health care, immigration, or rule of law in developing countries.

This week hear from David Patterson, manager of the Health Law Program at the International Development Law Organization, on the importance of doing pro bono.

In-House Pro Bono in England & Wales

Many legal departments are interested in global pro bono, but fewer have global programs due to real and perceived challenges.  The PBEye knows that one of the biggest challenges is a lack of information about opportunities and regulations in different countries.   To help in-house attorneys leap this hurdle,  DLA Piper LLP*† recently published the England and Wales In-House Counsel Pro Bono Guide, which provides in-house lawyers with tools and information to establish or expand a pro bono program in those jurisdictions.

The guide offers insight into dealing with common obstacles such as indemnity insurance, cost agreements, and identifying the most appropriate projects.  To help legal departments avoid these complications, DLA Piper lists partnering opportunities through which legal departments can join established pro bono projects.  For departments interested in starting a program, the guide includes a sample pro bono policy that departments can modify to reflect their needs and goals.

We are excited to see this new global pro bono resource for legal departments.  And, interested departments (and law firms) can learn more about pro bono in 42 jurisdictions by reviewing “A Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities in Selected Jurisdictions,” which was prepared by Latham & Watkins LLP*† for PBI.   As always, PBI’s Global Pro Bono Project is another resource that offers consultative services, research, publications and more.

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project

Congrats to Victorian In-House Attorneys

Times have changed!  Until last month, “corporate practising certificates” applicable to in-house lawyers in Victoria, Australia, limited them to providing legal advice only to their employers.  This restriction prevented these lawyers from volunteering their services for pro bono work in the same manner as their law firm counterparts and in-house lawyers in other Australian states.

Thankfully, the Legal Profession and Public Notaries Amendment Bill 2012 was passed by the Victorian Parliament on March 27, given Royal Assent on April 3, and became effective on May 2.  The bill amended the Legal Profession Act 2004 by lifting restrictions on in-house lawyers and allowing them to provide important pro bono services outside their workplace.  Now, Victoria’s 2,700 in-house lawyers who work for businesses, governments, and community organizations have the opportunity to provide free legal services to marginalized and disadvantaged Victorians. This meaningful change is yet another demonstration of Australia’s strong commitment to pro bono.

The decision to overturn the limitation was the result of several years of work by the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association (ACLA) and the Public Interest Law Clearing House.  These groups first proposed the reform in August 2009 to the then Attorney General Robert Hulls, who supported increased pro bono,  yet took a different approach.  The current Attorney General Robert Clark, has been supportive of the new amendment from its inception, calling the reform “common sense.”

Under the amended act, an attorney must be covered by professional indemnity insurance on terms and conditions approved by the Legal Services Board (LSB).  Currently, LSB has approved a policy taken out by the National Pro Bono Resource Centre (NPBRC), and has stated their willingness to approve similar policies.  Under NPBRC’s insurance arrangement, coverage is provided to volunteers, who are not required to pay a premium or other fees, including any excess in the event of a claim.

Now that Victoria has joined Queensland and New South Wales as the third state in three years to lift their restrictions on in-house lawyers, ACLA has set its sights on South Australia.  Let’s hope that other jurisdictions in Australia, and around the world, follow in Victoria’s footstep and lift unnecessary restrictions on in-house pro bono.

For more information regarding the rule change in Australia, click here.

*hat tip to PBI intern Sherri Golkow for her help on this post

Get Your Global On!

Calling all global pro bono enthusiasts!  Join our expert panelists at PBI’s Annual Conference to explore global pro bono best practices or bone up on the business case for global pro bono.

If you’re looking for a new global pro bono project, but uncertain as to how to move forward or what steps to take, join A4ID Chief Executive Yasmin Batliwala; PILnet Executive Director Edwin Rekosh; and Freehills Foundation Executive Director/Freehills† Pro Bono Counsel Annette Bain for “Global Pro Bono: Best Practices.”  This interactive session will explore the unique obstacles that global pro bono work can present and offer tips for turning an interest in a global pro bono effort into a reality.  Learn how to assess the viability of your concept, making sure it can generate meaningful work, structure the project, identify trusted intermediaries and partners, and ensure the careful vetting that must take place before embarking on a new global pro bono initiative.

And, if you just can’t get enough global, PBI is offering a second session, “Making the Business Case for Global Pro Bono.”  Microsoft Corporation** Associate General Counsel Anne Kelley; Baker & McKenzie*† Partner/Global Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Madeleine Schachter; and PBI President and CEO Esther F. Lardent will help you gain a nuanced understanding of the business benefits of incorporating a global pro bono element into your existing pro bono or CSR (corporate social responsibility) scheme.  Learn how law firms and legal departments use global pro bono to stimulate and engage legal staff, integrate remote offices and practice groups, build reputation, knowledge, and contacts abroad, attract clients and customers, and recruit and retain employees.

A staunch supporter of pro bono, Mother Nature has pledged that D.C.’s famed cherry blossoms will be in peak bloom during the Annual Conference.  Drop us a line to learn more. We hope to see you later this month in Washington, D.C.!

* denotes a Signatory to the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^®
† denotes a Member of the Law Firm Pro Bono Project
**denotes a Signatory to the Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^SM