Pro Bono Week is an annual event that brings together civil society, NGOs and members of the legal community such as lawyers, law students, non-profits, academics, and businesses. This event is a highlight in the pro bono communities calendar as we hold several events throughout the week to celebrate the role played by volunteer lawyers supporting civil society and those in need. We are all aware of the impact of pro bono in tackling unmet legal need and ensuring that the legal and social needs of the community are addressed. As such, the aim of Pro Bono Week is to bring together key players seeking to advance and develop pro bono in Ireland.
Pro Bono Week 2024 took place from 10 to 14 June. The following events took place over the week:
EU wide Launch of Pro Bono Week – Harmonisation of Pro Bono across Europe
This year, the overarching theme for the European Pro Bono Week is ‘Harmonization of Pro Bono across Europe’.
Tune in to hear from:
- Özgür Kahale, Pro Bono Director for Europe · DLA Piper
- Dr. Daria Sartori, Executive Director NYU EU Public Interest Law Clinic, Founding Partner and Supervisor, Rule 39 Pro Bono Initiative, Co-founder · NYU, Rule 39 Pro Bono Initiative, Pro Publico
- Dr. Filip Czernicki, Centrum PRO BONO
Date: Monday, 10 June 2024, 2pm – 3pm
Location: Online
Register to attend here.
Gender, Justice and the Law
Join PILnet, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), St Andrews Refugee Service (StARs), and members of the legal community as we share knowledge and good practices on the theme of “Gender, Justice and the Law; Legal and Practical Challenges for Refugees.”
In advance of the UNHCR Global Consultations with NGOs happening in Geneva, 11-13 June 2024, and the 2024 Global Strategic Litigation Roundtable on the 10 June, members of the GRF Legal Community Pledge Core Group and the Global Strategic Litigation Council will hold an informal side-event. Around the world gender inequality and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) in various forms expose women, girls and LGBTQI+ people to a heightened risk or harm, ultimately forcing many to flee and seek protection. Upon displacement, these individuals often face further heightened risks of harm, including exploitation and trafficking, and can experience significant challenges in accessing asylum and protection systems. This hybrid event aims to bring together members of the legal and displaced communities to share knowledge and good practices in addressing these challenges and advancing access to rights, justice and solutions for women, girls and LGBTQI+ refugees.
Date: Monday, 10 June 2024, 9am to 11am
Location & Format: Hybrid, In-person at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG) and Online on Zoom
Register to attend online or in-person here.
Strengthening Reflections from a Pro Bono Partnership – Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is an international nongovernment organisation devoted to protecting unaccompanied and separated children on the move. KIND partners with the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), the Irish Refugee Council (IRC), and the pro bono legal community to ensure sustainable solutions for unaccompanied migrant children in Ireland. Since 2019, the project has assisted 252 clients from 29 countries of origin. 196 lawyers from 7 partnering law firms and 1 company have worked on cases so far. The event takes the form of a panel discussion moderated by Sara Phelan SC, Chair of the Bar Council of Ireland, with contributions from Katie Mannion, Managing Solicitor of the Irish Refugee Council, Catherine Cosgrave, Managing Solicitor Immigrant Council of Ireland, Marieanne McKeown, Director of the Partnerships & Pro Bono Program, Arthur Cox, as well as beneficiaries of the project.
Date: Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 4:30pm – 7pm
Location: Arthur Cox Offices, Ten, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland
Please register to attend here.
The Irish Pro Bono Ecosystem: Celebrating Impact and Horizon Scanning for New Opportunities
This event brings the wider legal and NGO communities together to celebrate the growth of pro bono work in Ireland. Justice Liam Kennedy will moderate a panel of speakers including John Lunney from the Law Society’s Street Law Programme, Michelle Drury from Irish Rule of Law International, Gemma McLoughlin Burke from the Voluntary Assistance Programme, and Eilis Barry Cheif Executive of FLAC. The panel will showcase the impact and benefit of lawyers volunteering their time and skill, highlighting examples of pro bono work. A PILA representative will explain the Irish pro bono infrastructural landscape and pathways for lawyers to get involved in pro bono work. The second half of the event will consist of the first in-person PILA NGO Pitch, during which three social justice organisations will pitch to receive pro bono legal services from the attending legal practitioners. Finally, the event will facilitate networking opportunities between NGO representatives and the legal community.
Date: Thursday, 13 June 2024, 4:30pm to 7pm
Location: Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, D07 VY24
To attend, please register here.
