The growth of emerging democracies based on the rule of law, the heightened international consensus regarding fundamental legal and human rights, and the globalization of law practice among large law firms and corporations have led to efforts to explore and establish a pro bono legal tradition in many nations. The Pro Bono Institute is proud to play an important role in these efforts. While these pro bono intitiatives must be grounded in the history, culture, and existing legal aid systems of the various nations and will necessarily differ from the pro bono structure and culture in the United States, the Institute, with a breadth of experience, serves as a knowledgeable, objective, and trustworthy advisor. At present, these initiatives are funded either through law firm and corporate contributions or on a fee-for-service basis.

Examples of recent Pro Bono Institute involvement in global pro bono efforts include:

Participation in conferences on legal aid and access to justice in the United Kingdom, Ontario, British Columbia, South America and Australia.

Technical assistance to newly created pro bono organizations in Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Consultative services to major law firms and corporate legal departments in the United Kingdom and Ontario, to large U.S. law firms that maintain a substantial presence in London and in a number of European nations, and to British firms seeking to enhance pro bono efforts in their European and East Asian offices.

Technical assistance to international public interest organizations seeking to secure pro bono services from law firms throughout the world.

Publication of articles on pro bono in the Far East and provision of background information for pro bono pieces in publications in Germany and the Netherlands.

Through the award of a Fulbright Fellowship, technical assistance to the Attorney General of Australia, to that nation's law societies and law schools, and to its National Pro Bono Resource Centre.

For information on how to receive assistance in establishing or strengthening pro bono globally, please contact Esther Lardent.