This panel will address a significant barrier to women exercising or protecting their human rights: access to legal services. Lawyers play a critical role in defending human rights, but women around the world face financial, social, and geographical obstacles to obtaining legal representation and support. Pro bono partnerships among lawyers, firms, and organizations can help advance women’s human rights globally. This panel will examine ways that volunteer lawyers from a variety of settings—law firms, in-house, non-profits, and those in career transitions—can partner to power global change and advance women’s human rights. Panelists will discuss pro bono opportunities and engagement, as well as the challenges and potential of such partnerships.
Speakers
Nancy J. Newman
Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLP
Dorothy L. Fernandez
Pro Bono Counsel, MorrisonFoerster LLP
Amelia Waliany
Board of Director, Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights (SA-HR)
Deborah Daniloff
Assistant General Counsel and Director, Bank of America
Moderator
Shruti Rana
Professor, School of Global and International Studies
Indiana University Bloomington
Topics• Lack of access to justice plays a critical role in preventing women and girls from enjoying equality and human rights in the US and globally
• Creative pro bono partnership involving lawyers, law firms, in-house counsel, and NGOs are working to change this dynamic
• The program will examine ways volunteer lawyers can gain invaluable skills and insights, as they power global change for gender equality
The panel will be followed by a networking session, where attendees are encouraged to make connections with panelists and representatives of organizations seeking pro bono lawyers.