Thomson Reuters Foundation’s pro bono network TrustLaw and iProbono India are set to launch India’s first-ever Pro Bono Week (IPBW) from September 16 to September 20, 2024.
This initiative aims to promote pro bono legal services by strengthening collaboration between the legal community and the non-profit sector.
It will feature a series of events across Mumbai, Delhi, and online platforms and bring together law firms, practicing advocates, in-house counsel, law students and non-profit organizations.
The initiative is also set to create awareness about pro bono legal services, share best practices from the field, and highlight the pivotal role of pro bono legal support in driving social impact.
IPBW will host a variety of sessions which will address the needs of non-profit organizations with a broader aim to contribute to the pro bono conversation in India.
Two online sessions led by industry experts will focus on key legal requirements to equip NGOs with essential legal knowledge.
These include the webinars 'Legal A to Z for NGOs' and 'POSH Compliance for Internal Complaints Committee Members', both aimed at strengthening civil society organizations through pro bono support.
Throughout the week, the legal community will come together to promote pro bono culture through events like 'Championing Pro Bono Roundtables' and 'Lunch and Learns.'
The 'Entrepreneurship in Justice' session will foster a pro bono and entrepreneurial mindset among law students.
Lastly, the 'Advocating for Children in Maharashtra' roundtable will promote pro bono work among litigating lawyers by demonstrating how quality legal representation can address child rights issues. This session will provide a platform for NGOs and lawyers to enhance advocacy and representation for children in Maharashtra courts.
“While Pro Bono weeks have been transformative in legal ecosystems across the globe, this marks a pioneering moment for India. By introducing this initiative in India, we're not just organizing an event; we're planting the seeds for a cultural shift in our legal community,” said Joanita Britto Menon, Legal Programme Manager Asia, TrustLaw at Thomson Reuters Foundation and member of the IPBW Steering Committee.
"This initiative is a crucial step towards making legal services accessible to all, particularly the underprivileged and disenfranchised. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, we aim to create a sustainable culture of pro bono work in India's legal landscape." said Priya Watwani, Senior Program Officer at iProbono India and member of the IPBW Steering Committee.
TrustLaw, an initiative of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, is the world’s largest pro bono legal network. Working with leading law firms and corporate legal teams, it facilitates free legal support, legal research and resources for non-profits and social enterprises in over 190 countries.
iProbono India is a social justice organisation that brings together the legal expertise of panel lawyers and the insights of grassroots partners to advance justice and equality in India. It represents vulnerable individuals before courts, provides NGOs pro bono legal support and aims to create systemic change through capacity building, targeted research and policy advocacy efforts.
For more information about the India Pro Bono Week, click here.