Latham & Watkins' lawyers and professional staff have a long history of giving back to the communities in which they live and work. The firm's regional pro bono projects include advising:
- Grameen-Jameel Pan-Arab Microfinance Limited on the establishment of a regional microfinance investment vehicle
- Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Charitable Foundation on various service, procurement, endowment and consultancy contracts
- FINCA International on the establishment of a potential service hub for the organization’s regional and South Asia microfinance activities
- Prince Salman Center for Disability Research on various research projects
- The Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wildlife Fund for Nature on the implementation of educational programs in the UAE
According to the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s third annual TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono Latham ranks second in the provision of pro bono services in the United Arab Emirates. The 2016 index was “compiled with data collected from over 130 law firms—both large and small—and representing 64,500 lawyers in 75 countries, [and it] provides a snapshot of the resources mobilised by the industry in support of social causes, while also monitoring the growth of the sector globally.”
Equality Now
In collaboration with Equality Now, an anti-trafficking nonprofit, lawyers in Latham & Watkins’ Middle East offices have worked with lawyers from the Royal Bank of Scotland to research and map out national legislation that can be implemented in countries in the Middle East and Africa to combat the demand for prostitution and the associated issue of human trafficking. This mapping will assist Equality Now in strategically targeting countries to push for legal reforms that would reduce trafficking. The firm was awarded “Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year” by IFLR Middle East for its work on this project.
The project has been nominated by the Thomson Reuters Foundation TrustLaw for its 2012 Impact Award.
Women Enriching Business (WEB)
Since the opening of the Middle East offices, Latham’s Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Riyadh offices have hosted a diverse range of WEB programs and activities including substantive events, partnerships with women’s initiatives, business development training and coaching and social events.
Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities
A multi-office team of Latham & Watkins lawyers and professional staff from across the firm’s offices globally conducted extensive research to prepare the 2016 edition of the “Survey of Pro Bono Practices and Opportunities” report. Conducted in conjunction with the Pro Bono Institute (PBI), the unique report is an essential resource for local practitioners, in-house teams and non-profits on pro bono practices around the world.
Download the chapter about pro bono practices and opportunities in: