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Join our featured resource practitioners from May 27 to June 2 for an online dialogue featuring Engaging Pro-Bono Lawyers. A major obstacle for victims of human rights abuses is gaining access to legal representation in order to file a complaint against the perpetrator. This online dialogue will be space for practitioners to share successful tactics for engaging pro-bono, or free, legal services through access to a variety of professional resources.

Our featured resource practitioners include (click here for biographical information):

• Regina Germain of the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center, United States
• Jennifer Prestholdt and Colleen Beebe of The Advocates, United States
• Nyaradzo Muza of the Lawyers for Human Rights, South Africa
• Dewa Mavhinga, an independent pro-bono human rights lawyer, Zimbabwe
• Elisabeth Baraka of the Advocates for International Development, United Kingdom
• Wilbert Mandinde, Zimbabwe (currently at the University of Essex in the UK)
• Eric Lockwood of the Instituto Pro Bono, Brazil
• Rex Fernandez of Karapatan, Philippines
• Entila Zyba of the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation

Please add your comments by replying to the following main themes:

• What is pro-bono law and why is it so important?
• Developing partnerships and recruiting volunteers
• Training
• Security issues and self-care
• Sustainability

A Brief Summary of the Dialogue

The New Tactics Featured Dialogue “Engaging Pro-Bono Lawyers” tackled the issues of defining what a pro-bono lawyer is, what they do, how to develop a network of partnerships and volunteers in pro-bono work, how to train lawyers interested in pro-bono work, what issues of security existed in pro-bono work, and finally, how can pro-bono work be sustainably maintained.

The nature of pro-bono law was initially discussed, establishing the services which pro-bono lawyers provide. A very comprehensive definition of pro-bono work indicated the importance of providing legal assistance to marginalized populations, ranging from advice to counseling, and from legal representation to education. The theme of education was identified as a core concept that is often forgotten or underestimated, and educational work taken in Peru and Thailand by two different pro-bono organizations was presented. Lastly, a serious concern regarding the safety and security of pro-bono workers, who are often identified as dissidents by government or paramilitary forces, was mentioned. An example of community support and involvement in pro-bono work was given as a possible way to protect pro-bono workers.

Next, the dialogue focused on how organizations can recruit and create partnerships for pro-bono work., resulting in some helpful considerations. One discussant mentioned their creation of a network of 16,000 volunteers who are registered through them and take part in a wide variety of outreach programs, education meetings and conferences, etc. This group is notified weekly of a wide array of possible volunteer opportunities. Additionally, another participant offered a variety of suggestions they learned in a nationwide testimony collection regarding efficiency, expanding contacts, and utilizing interns. All of these suggestions are helpful for organizations interested in starting or expanding the use of pro-bono work.

Thirdly, the dialogue focused on ways of training lawyers for pro-bono work, which was immediately considered very necessary to introduce pro-bono work to regions where it doesn’t exist, to maintain a high quality of this work, and to maximize its effectiveness in areas where it is already conducted. Indeed, it was pointed out that in areas where pro-bono work has no legal framework, collective collaboration is necessary to create a possible mechanism. One discussant mentioned VanceNet as a global platform for the exchange of resources for pro-bono workers. Although, simply exchanging resources is not enough, as another participant pointed out the need for both face-to-face training and material resources in both technical legal issues and practical how-to guides. This kind of work has even been done specifically for NGO’s to help them reach their maximum effectiveness. Lastly, questions came up regarding the harnessing of help given to clients by ethics standards and health providers, and how training would be necessary to understand these limits.

Afterwards, the dialogue briefly expanded on the earlier topic of security threats involved with pro-bono work, for both clients and lawyers. As for clients, it was suggested to educate them on being aware of their surroundings and not being too risky, especially in the case of journalists, and how to use electronics to notify people of their whereabouts. As for the security of lawyers, one participant shared their experiences of having to set their own rules in their office after been repeatedly threatened by clients. Also discussed was the use of bringing accomplices (other lawyers or paralegals) to detention centers where pro-bono workers are held, and publicizing information on the arrests or enforced disappearances of workers.

Lastly, issues of financial sustainability were discussed in relation to pro-bono work, composing the most discussed issue of the entire dialogue. The follow list is composed of suggestions from participants regarding strategies for fundraising, attracting volunteers, gaining acceptance in legal communities, and many other issues aimed at keeping pro-bono work sustainable in one’s community.

• Have volunteers write short memoirs of their experiences, utilize personal stories to attract attention of idealists
• Prioritize potential opportunities for pro-bono work to take those cases that will have the most influence or you are most capable of performing
• Charge nominal fees to individuals or organizations to create a sense of entitlement and inclusion in the preparation
• Utilize legal student interns, and create a sentiment towards pro-bono work along the way
• Host fundraising events
• Have information sessions, perhaps with a free meal, for experience sharing. Dut don’t try to teach, instead focus on information exchange
• Certify your training programs so attendants get Continuing Professional Development points in reward
• Target regional BAR associations for support before targeting national BAR associations

All of these suggestions are wonderful for an organization interested in starting, expanding, or just trying to be more effective in its pro-bono work. This dialogue has illuminated the possibilities of pro-bono work to create progress in human rights, but like any tactic, it needs to be carefully thought-out for it to work. Hopefully this dialogue proved resourceful to those involved and to readers passing-by. 

Need help participating in this online dialogue? Take a moment to watch our training video!

(Photo:  Justice Sculpture, Federal Courthouse, Newark, NJ by Brooklyn Bridge Baby)