PRO BONO

Pro bono legal service is the cornerstone of Lawyers Without Borders’ global impact.

Every project we implement—from courtroom trainings to policy reform—is powered by the voluntary contributions of lawyers who lend their time, expertise, and commitment to strengthening the rule of law around the world. Our work depends on a network of legal professionals drawn from top international firms, public interest organizations, universities, and individual practitioners. Together, they help strengthen the rule of law, build strong institutions, and make justice accessible in some of the world’s most complex legal environments.

These contributions span a wide range of activities and regions:

  • In Tanzania, pro bono attorneys helped design and deliver trial advocacy training for prosecutors handling human trafficking and wildlife crime cases.

  • In Ukraine, lawyers from partner law firms analyzed war crimes verdicts to support domestic prosecution efforts and judicial training following the escalation of armed conflict in 2022.

  • In Liberia, Nepal, and Belize, law firm partners contributed legal research and legislative drafting for reforms related to child labor and trafficking.

  • In Kenya, legal teams supported the creation of a national Prosecution Training Institute, developed case management tools, and provided hands-on courtroom training for prosecutors and judges.

  • Through our student and intern programs, volunteers supported research and curriculum development, with law firm counterparts participating in LWOB’s annual Rule of Law Innovation Challenge.

Over the last decade, LWOB has engaged more than

86,500 HOURS

of pro bono service, valued at more than

$36.5 MILLION

Our Unique Model: Working with LWOB

Lawyers Without Borders makes it easy for attorneys and firms to contribute their time in a meaningful, structured way. Over the past twenty years, we’ve honed how to best engage volunteer attorneys where their expertise is most needed. Here's how our pro bono engagements typically work:

1.          We identify opportunities.

LWOB maintains a rich network of partners around the world. When a need arises, we develop projects in coordination with local stakeholders to identify impactful and sustainable interventions.

2.        We match volunteers with the right project.
We consult with law firms and individual attorneys to understand their interests, expertise, and availability. We then identify projects that align with those priorities, ensuring each engagement is meaningful and appropriately scoped.

3.        We stay engaged throughout.

Volunteers receive a task memo outlining the project’s goals, deliverables, timeline, and team size. LWOB’s in-house legal team provides oversight, coordination, in-country expertise, and quality control. We also work with pro bono teams to offer feedback, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure deadlines and expectations are met.

4.       Volunteers provide expertise to produce high-impact outcomes.

Volunteers bring valuable skills as researchers, trainers, drafters, and mentors. They lead trial advocacy trainings, support peer-to-peer exchanges, conduct legal and policy research, and help develop practical tools such as white papers and legislative recommendations. Whether combatting human trafficking, flighting child labor, or protecting wildlife, they use their skills to strengthen the rule of law and create justice.

 

This model ensures that pro bono efforts are not only well-supported—but truly impactful. Partners consistently tell us that their work with LWOB is among the most rewarding of their careers.