Welcome to ISLP

ISLP Executive Director Jean Berman with Advisory Board member Heinz Lober (right), Bulgarian Minister of Justice Anton Stankov (left) and Bulgarian attorney Borislav Boyanov at the Annual Conference of the Presidents of the European Bar Associations in Vienna, Austria.

ISLP, a 501(c)(3) organization, was incorporated in March 2000 to create a vehicle through which senior lawyers could use their skills and expertise to promote the rule of law and human rights.

History

ISLP was created when a group of public-spirited senior partners of global law firms convened to discuss how they might help serve the world community. ISLP's founders were convinced that: (1) there is a widespread need throughout the developing world for legal assistance from experienced attorneys; and (2) there is a growing pool of attorneys at or near retirement age who have the ability to help meet that demand and the desire to serve the world community. A seven-month study was conducted to determine the validity of these premises. Since the study's completion in June 2001, ISLP has undertaken projects addressing human rights and economic justice in many areas around the world.

For more of ISLP's history, including a more detailed description of the preparation phase study, please click here.

Programs & Partnerships

ISLP's three program areas are:

• human rights and social justice
• economic development and participation in the global economy
• access to justice
  

Click on each program area for examples of current, completed and developing projects in each of these areas.

Where We Operate

ISLP does not limit its activities to any one region of the world. Our projects to date have been based in eastern Europe, southeast Asia, Uganda and South Africa. ISLP volunteers also work with some U.S.-based organizations whose programs assist the people of developing countries. ISLP's principal office is in New York City; it also maintains an office in Washington, D.C. and is establishing an affiliate in London.

For information on how to contact us, please click here.

Board of Directors

ISLP has a 22-member Board of Directors, a growing Advisory Board and a London Advisory Council that is establishing a London-based affiliate. ISLP's Board members come from Boston, New York and Washington in the United States and Poland, South Africa and Spain.

For a list of ISLP's Board of Directors, Advisory Board and London Advisory Council, please click here.

Funders & Supporters

ISLP is supported by the contributions of foundations, law firms, and individual donations from the legal community. For a list of Funders & Supporters, please click here.